5 Year Certification Trial, Any News?

[Goose 188]

Just curious if anyone has heard anything about the 5 year certification pilot the state put together. Just curious to see where this stands because it surely beats 3 years.

[Guest partyrock]

Join FDNY*EMS. They're the ones testing it.

[Oswegowind 17]

That would make it a little easier to keep it.

[ny10570 745]

One of the big issues with the program is tracking and keeping up with the training. The 5 year would probably be difficult outside of an agency. Its very similar to the current 3 year challenge recert that is available. If you have any specific questions ask away. Anything I don't know I can get the answer from one of the programs architects.

[Goose 188]

Curious to see if the state has any plans of implementing this state wide. What are the training requirements per year? Are they CME based or are you expected to attend more formal EMT/Paramedic academic and practical refreshers? Has the program proven beneficial as of yet? Has this program lead to any talk of issuing a license rather than a certification?

Edited October 16, 2007 by Goose

[INIT915 1,119]

5-year certification is good if you have discipline. We all know people that wait til month number 35 out of 36 to start trying to get 48 CME's and 24 CA's. Imagine those types who wait 59 out of 60 months to get 40 CA's and 80 CME's!

If you have that discipline, 5-years is nice.

[ny10570 745]

FDNY is still trying to get the membership all squared away and lined up for the 5 year recert. TO make up for time lost for people who are one or two years into their card the dept is bringing everyone through "bridge" training to cover that gap. The current program involves 1 hour a month of peer training led by station supervisors, 1 hour of journal based drill a month, and 8 hours of state mandated training at the academy a year. The minimum requirement is 90 hours over 5 years for EMT's. The peer drills are going involve all of the hands on skills that would be covered during a refresher, the journals should cover the didactic, and the academy training will cover what ever key issues the state is currently harping on. The biggest selling point on the 5 year program was the amount of work the average FDNY EMT/Paramedic does. To qualify for the 5 year it looks as if you would have to in a very busy system.

As for medics the in house training and journal components are beginning to address their training needs. The articles are written by Dept MD's so as to count for physician led instruction. The dept is also making efforts to make more lectures available. I'm not entirely sure of how the ALS portion works, but I'll check it out.

The benefits of the program aren't expected for another two years once the program is in full swing and refreshers and bridge training is no longer needed. The dept is hoping this program will first save money in keeping people on the street and out of the academy and free up the academy to focus on other programs. The dept is adding new units monthly and is in the middle of several changes to the depts ALS and BLS protocols. This alone has the academy running full tilt. Right now there are 3 medic upgrade programs, a new EMT class, and a GED program running on top of the bridge programs. The place is bursting at the seams.

I don't see NY getting away from the certification. Legally speaking being certified puts you in the same position as being licensed. If anything the certification ensures greater accountability through continued training. Look at CT, to maintain your medic license you send in your renewal app with your check and you are on your way.

[ems731 0]

Is this only going to be in NYC with the FDNY or will the entire State start using it? Will it get picked up in Westchester?

[Goose 188]

Is this only going to be in NYC with the FDNY or will the entire State start using it? Will it get picked up in Westchester?

The FDNY is a participating member in the program, along with a handful of counties in NY. Depending on how this comes down the line, if it ever comes down the line, it would be the state's responsibility to determine how it should be used. I imagine that they will set a minimum call volume for agencies looking to participate which would exempt many from participating.

[Guest partyrock]

I knew about the 3 year CME challenge refresher, but I didn't know other areas were doing the 5 year. Which counties are also lined up?

[Goose 188]

'2. The program shall be limited to persons who are employed by the New York City Fire Department or who are in practice in the following counties: Delaware, Fulton, Hamilton, Montgomery, Nassau, Otsego, Schoharie or Suffolk. The commissioner may limit the number of participants in the program, except that such limit shall be no less than four thousand participants.'

[ny10570 745]

For CME the medics are scheduled to come to the academy once every 6 months for an additional 8 hours on top of the time required for the 5 year.

[ckroll 101]

Just keep current with your training. They could make it 250 hours every decade and there will still be people running around the last month like they had no idea it was coming. Every 5 years just gives people 2 more years to goof off. License medics and make a continuing education requirement. Require all agencies to provide free or reasonably priced continuing education. 5 years just sounds like more rope with which to hang ourselves.

[ny10570 745]

Thats one of the big reasons why the state was so hesitant towards starting the program. The dept taking control and tracking everyone's hours was the solution.