• School of Healthcare & First Responders 
     
    School of Healthcare & First Responders
    Career Technical Student Organization: HOSA and SkillsUSA



    Firefighting Pathway - Workers in the Fire & Emergency area work in potentially risky situations protecting the public against fires and other dangers. Every year, fires and other emergencies take thousands of lives and destroy property worth billions of dollars. Firefighters and emergency service workers help protect the public against these dangers by rapidly responding to a variety of emergencies. They are frequently the first emergency personnel at the scene of a traffic accident or medical emergency and may be called upon to put out a fire, treat injuries or perform other vital functions. Firefighters control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property, or the environment is at risk. Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, and disaster assistance.

     

    Emergency Medical Responder Pathway - The primary focus of the Emergency Medical Responder is to initiate lifesaving care to critical patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide lifesaving interventions while awaiting additional Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response and to assist higher level personnel at the scene and during transport. Emergency Medical Responders function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Emergency Medical Responders perform basic interventions with minimal equipment. Emergency Medical Service includes Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics that care for the sick or injured in emergency medical settings. EMTs and paramedics respond to emergency calls, performing medical services and transporting patients to medical facilities. They work both indoors and outdoors, in all types of weather. Their work is physically strenuous and can be stressful, sometimes involving life‐or‐death situations and patients who are suffering. All EMTs and paramedics must complete a formal training program. All states require EMTs and paramedics to be licensed; requirements vary by state.

     
    Emergency Medical Responder course standards