Guthrie EMS takes on skilled training

Guthrie Firefighters (medics) participated in skill and competency training provided by Heartland Medical Direction on Monday afternoon.

Paramedics and Advanced EMTs were able to practice high risk-low frequency skills in the back of a simulated ambulance with a high fidelity training manikin.

While Guthrie Fire-EMS has responded to over three thousand calls in the first nine months of the year, the majority of those calls are routine in nature. A small percentage of these calls would be considered high risk.

The training today allows medics to practice these skills in a controlled environment. Heartland Medical Direction provides prehospital medical direction to over 70 agencies in 25 predominately rural counties in Oklahoma.

The majority of the training equipment utilized has been funded by the Oklahoma Emergency Response Systems Stabilization and Improvement Revolving Fund (OERSSIRF). This grant, from the Oklahoma State Department of Health, allows Heartland to offer high quality training on a local level to member agencies.

According to medical director Dr. Bill Worden, “the training we provided today will save a life. Maybe not today, but at some point this training will prove beneficial.”

Guthrie Fire Chief Eric Harlow said “this local training allows us to offer advanced skills on a local level. We know our medics are better prepared to help.”