MENDOTA - Mercyhealth EMS System (formerly Rockford Memorial Hospital, Rock River Region EMS System) will offer a National Emergency Medical Technician-Basic course starting on Tuesday, March 13.

The course will take place at the Mendota High School Vocational Arts Building on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 6-10 p.m. In addition, there will also be four Saturday classes that will include extrication, hazardous materials and skills labs. The class will end on June 26 with a graduation ceremony on June 28. 

The faculty for this course will be provided by Mercyhealth EMS System. Jay MacNeal, DO, MPH, FACEP, FAEMS, NRP will provide the medical director oversight.

The NREMT-Basic course is designed to educate and train fire, rescue and EMS personnel in the techniques of basic prehospital emergency care. The curriculum, developed by the U.S. Department of Transportation and The National Registry, prepares students for out of hospital emergency care and will qualify the candidates to challenge the National Emergency Medical Technician-Basic certification examination. This course consists of an intense classroom, skill and clinical labs in the classroom, hospital, and ambulance setting, and also includes a significant amount of computer-based homework.

To qualify for the course, a candidate must be capable of lifting, carrying and balancing patients in excess of 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance). Additional prerequisites include that the candidate must be 18 years of age at the time of National Registry testing; have a high school diploma or G.E.D.; have 20/20 vision (with correction if needed); normal hearing (with correction if needed); a sound physique, not possessing any infirmity of body or mental status that might render a candidate unable to perform the classroom, lab and physical requirements for successful completion; and internet access for computer based learning. 

The cost for the course is $600 and includes course textbook, course workbook, AHA Healthcare textbook, and the National Registry Testing fee.

Cancellations received up to seven days before the course starts will receive a full refund only if all textbooks and pre-course supplies have been returned unused. Registration forms may be picked up at the Mendota Fire Department, 610 Main St. or by contacting Traci O’Connell, Mercyhealth EMS Administrative Assistant, at (815) 971-6262.

Anyone with questions regarding the class content or requirements may call the Mercyhealth EMS System office at (815) 9871-6262 or e-mail Tocnnell@mhemail.org.