Fairfield University's University College offers fall EMT course required for National Registry certification | Press Releases

Due to popular demand, Fairfield University offers the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Course through University College in collaboration with the university's Department of Public Safety (DPS) in Fall 2008. The course runs from Wednesday, Sept. 3, to Saturday, Dec. 20. This course meets education requirements established by the State of Connecticut and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians and is requisite for EMT certification candidates who are compelled to pass the National Registry examination.

Frank Ficko, associate director of Public Safety on campus said recently, "Last spring's class, which was the first taught at Fairfield, was a huge success. We graduated 19 EMTs."

With a total of 130 hours of classes, this comprehensive EMT course meets the state requirement of instruction and practice necessary for registration for the two-part examination. Successful completion of the course and, by extension, the exam, ensures EMT certification through the National Registry in 30 participating states.

Areas of instruction covered through lectures and hands-on practice include: CPR, general pharmacology, respiratory emergencies, cardiovascular emergencies and OB/GYN emergencies, musculoskeletal, head and spine trauma, soft tissue injuries, hazardous materials, ambulance operations, emergency medical techniques for children and scene safety. Ficko continued, "The university resources are excellent for this training and we look forward to the fall. Students who successfully complete this course will leave with all the tools needed for virtually any medical emergency situation."

According to the course instructor Joseph Laucella, a part-time officer of Fairfield University's Department of Public Safety and operations manager of Echo Hose Ambulance in Shelton, "Many professions treat EMT skills as a valuable resource, for example, pre-med, physician assistant, law enforcement, fire fighters and volunteer service. Even the corporate world recognizes the importance of these capabilities."

The course meets Wednesdays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The cost of the course is $520, including the textbook. There is the added value of 14.4 hours of Continuing Education Units (CEU), offered at an additional charge.

In addition to Laucella, the primary instructor, other instructors include Sgt. Alex Krshisezki and Officers Patrick Cleary and Lea Zwally of the DPS. All are State of Conn. certified EMS Instructors, American Heart Association CPR Instructors including AED (Automatic External Defibrillator) and First-Aid.

For more information or to receive a brochure, please phone (203) 254-4307 or visit www.fairfield.edu/uc. To register, please phone the University "Office of the Registrar" at (203) 254-4288.