MOULTRIE, Ga. (WTXL) — The city of Moultrie is about to get 12 new certified Emergency Medical Technicians, or EMTs, ready to hit the streets and save some lives.
The Moultrie Fire Department just started a new "in-house" certification program that allows firefighters to become trained EMTs in just four months.
Firefighters tell ABC 27 the new program aims to help provide extra help to the paramedics in the area. The department hopes to one day have everyone within the department certified.
"They will be able to come in and take care of any life threatening issues people have whether it's cardiac issues, breathing issues, bleeding issues -- anything that would be life threatening they will be able to sustain the patients until EMS could arrive," said Fire Chief Jeff Thibodeau.
Tyler Gershom joined the fire department in 2017.
He is now on track to become one of the 12 newly trained EMTs. Gershom says he is thankful for the opportunity to better serve his community.
"I was grateful that we have a city manager and a chief that allows us to invest in our own education and help protect the city and serve better," said Gershom.
Outside of their normal job duties, firefighters have to study on their own time, put in 24 hours of clinical work and past a final test for certification.
While the road to certification has not be an easy one, for these firefighters it's certainly worth it knowing they'll be able to better help families who live in Moultrie.
"We want the citizens of Moultrie to know that we are a pro-active department," said Chief Thibodeau. "We want to be ready and prepared for any emergency that should happen in the area."
The current EMT certification class is expected to graduate this February.
