NEWFANE, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont needs paramedics. Emergency calls are up and departments have the “Help Wanted” signs out to meet demand. Now, a new program at the Vermont EMS Academy aims to help.
It’s 1,200 hours of instruction through classroom work and clinical and field internships.
Once complete, students can take the national test which is required to become licensed in Vermont.
Right now, the state isn’t getting enough new recruits and many who are interested must train elsewhere.
“Currently we train 40 new paramedics a year, half of which have to get their education outside of the state. But the anticipated need is actually double that,” said Emily Wilson, the director of the VEMSA Paramedic Program.
Applications are due by Jan. 10 for the Feb. 2025 start of the program.
You can learn more about the training and the need for paramedics in Vermont on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. on “You Can Quote Me” on WCAX.