Sixteen members of Lake County Fire Rescue recently graduated from paramedic school.
The Advanced Life Support (ALS) initiative was made possible through a state grant allowing the staff to attend training classes.
Late Fire Chief Jack Fillman started the ALS program for Lake County Fire Rescue in 2000 with just four stations. By the year 2020, all 25 county fire stations are slated to be upgraded to ALS.
“I am extremely proud of this great accomplishment,” Fire Chief Jim Dickerson said. “This is typically an 11-month program; however, these 16 employees completed the same curriculum in only nine months.”
Each new paramedic will be assigned for three months with a field training officer before receiving clearance under Lake County’s medical director to practice paramedicine.
