Emergency Medical Services
Emergency Medical Services
This 130-hour course, offered each semester under the auspices of the Connecticut Department of Public Health, satisfies the U.S. Department of Transportation 1994 EMT basic national standard curriculum. Training involves extensive didactic and practical instruction in all types of basic life support (BLS) and emergency care techniques. Upon successful completion of the program, you become eligible to challenge the State of Connecticut and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians certification process. If you pass these exams, you receive EMT-B certification from the State of Connecticut and the National Registry.
Shaun Heffernan has been involved in the Fire and Emergency Medical Service for the past 13 years. he began as a volunteer firefighter and soon after became an Emergency Medical Technician. Shaun spent 3 years working as an Emergency Department Technician at Yale/New Haven Hospital prior to becoming a Paramedic in 1995. Shaun currently serves as a full-time Firefighter/Paramedic with the Branford Fire Department and is assigned to Division 2. He was recognized in 1999 for his heroism. Shaun serves on the department's special rescue teams and is also a Deputy Fire Marshal.
As an Emergency Medical Service Instructor, he is on the faculty at the Yale University School of Medicine, Section of Emergency Medicine. Shaun is a Paramedic Field Instructor for New Haven Sponsor Hospital. He is a member of the Branford Fire Department training division.
When not working within the Fire/EMS service, Shaun serves as a volunteer with numerous pediatric cancer organizations. He is on the board of directors of The David Hwang Foundation and serves as a volunteer counselor at Camp Rising Sun, a camp for children with cancer.
If you are a certified EMT in a state that participates in the National Registry Program:
Connecicut participates in the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians program, which means if you have a NREMT certification, you can gain reciprocity in Connecticut through some simple paperwork. The application and more information can be found at: http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3127&q=387360&dphNav_GID=1827&dphNav=|
If you are a certified EMT in a state that does not participate in the National Registry Program:
You can apply for a CT EMT-B license under two conditions:
2(a) Successful completion of a CT Department of Public Health approved EMT training program in Connecticut or if outside of Connecticut, a program which adhered to the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, EMT National Standard Curriculum; or
2(b) Current certification as an EMT by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or by a state maintaining certification requirements equal to or higher than those of this state
If you completed your EMT-B training course within the last year, you would probably want to consider 2a. If your EMT class was more than a year ago, route 2a may be more difficult and you should probably try route 2(b). The application form (for either route) can be found at http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3127&q=387364&dphNav_GID=1827&dphPNavCtr=|#46950
For 2a, the official story is that you would have to complete part of a National Registry Application, send it to your EMT Instructor, and have him fill out the rest and send it to the CT Dept. of Health (the address is listed in the application form). Once that paperwork goes through, you will be sent dates for your National Registry Exams. Exam dates are listed at http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3127&q=387364&dphNav_GID=1827&dphPNavCtr=|#46950. Once you pass both exams, you'll get a national registry number first and then CT will issue a CT EMT license.
For 2b, you would have to get your instructor to send your EMT license and other paperwork to the CT department of health. And once the CT department of health deems an EMT of your state worthy of a CT license, they'll issue you one (although this can be a slow process). The nice thing about 2a over 2b is that you'll have a national registry card which you could take with you to other states.
Below is a more detailed explanation of the requirements:
If applying by Route 2(a), a completed application for EMT certification (FORM 202 attached). Complete the top portion of Form 202 and forward same to your training instructor, who in turn must complete the bottom portion of the form and return it directly to this office.
Applicants applying for certification pursuant to Route 2(a) are required to successfully complete the National Registry's written and practical examinations. Please complete a National Registry application and submit same with your 202 Form to this office. (For a National Registry Application visit www.nremt.org. Please disregard the instruction on the National Registry Application to include a $20.00 application fee and to return it directly to the National Registry). Also, note that your EMS-Instructor must complete Sections I and II on page 2 of the National Registry Application and Section III should be left blank.) Upon receipt and review of all application materials you will be scheduled for examination and notified in writing prior to the scheduled examination. For lists of examination dates visit the department's website: http://www.ct.gov/dph/cwp/view.asp?a=3127&q=387364&dphNav_GID=1827&dphPNavCtr=|#46950. Applicants must pass the practical examination prior to being eligible for the written examination.
If applying by Route 2(b), arrange for official verification of current or expired EMT certification or licensure in another state(s) to be sent directly to this office directly from the state's licensing entity (use FORM 203 attached). The other state must also provide their current license/certification requirements. Please note that some jurisdictions may charge a fee for completion of the verification form; contact the jurisdiction for fee information. To access jurisdictions contact information via the Internet please go to http://www.nremt.org/EMTServices/emt_cand_state_offices.asp.
If you are a certified EMT in Connecticut, but would like to provide services in another state:If you want to become a certified EMT in a state that participates in the National Registry Program:
You can probably gain reciprocity through some simple paperwork. The information can be found in that state's EMS website, which can be navigated from http://www.nremt.org/EMTServices/emt_cand_state_offices.asp
If you want to become a certified EMT in a state that does not participate in the National Registry Program: