I believe whenever other companies begin to enter the "testing" and certification business, we are on a slippery slope of disaster. I/O is another for profit company that is multi tasked with a new interest in EMS, rather considering it a "public safety" in which I totally disagree. We are MEDICAL not public safety, which is two different avenues of profession.
I was never taught any formal safety courses within my EMS career nor should I. Again, I/O testing is from prison guards to LEO, to firefighter now wants to place their hands in EMS. Sorry, the difference between the professions is I am white collared and they are blue collared for a reason. My profession should require a degree, and clinical requirements before any testing occurs.
I may not believe in everything NREMT does and performs, but they are composed of medical advisory board, for the sole purpose of EMS, not just another test like a security guards.
Compare multiple testing such as in radiology and respiratory therapy, and you will find problems. They have fought for years to remove one from another, only now to go with a formal one. Let's not make the same mistake.
As for not letting you know what you missed on a test, that is part of professional testing and any company that does has very little credibility ! Part of professional competency in testing is maintaining the secrecy and security of testing, without compromising and divulging exact areas of a participants failure.
I have taken over six nationally board examinations in nursing and EMS and as of yet, ever been offered what parts I failed on if any. I would never expect them to do so as well. Did ACT/SAT inform you on specifics areas you failed or a general section, like every other national merit and qualified test. As well NREMT has went to CAT, and results are immediate on most levels. Talk to attorneys and physicians, see how long it took to get their results as well if it told them were they failed.
I/O is a private sector testing firm again is for entry level to a private sector. I do not see according to their web site of any credibility of endorsement from any national health associations, such American Heart Association, the American College of Emergency Physicians, National Association of EMS Physicians, International Association of Fire Chiefs, National Association of EMT's, and on.
Your right we do need a national certification, it is called NREMT. Sorry, Illinois has had problems adjusting to national standards. They have opted to dilute their testing because of high failure rates. Instead of actually fixing the problem of poor instructing meeting national standards, they chose to remove themselves. This has been a highly debated area for months.
Personally, those states that do not want to participate in NREMT can only to be excluded from the other 46 states as being formally educated in EMS. When their EMT's apply for license and certifications, they should be denied as not meeting the nationally standards. Since this was the sole purpose of removing themselves from the NREMT. They felt they did not have to "learn" the entire EMT agenda, rather specifics. That is nice if they never have to work in another state or area, but who can guarantee that?
I have enclosed the quotes that initially started the problem.
Addressing EMT certification deserves priority
By the Pantagraph Editorial Board
When we dial 9-1-1 in a medical emergency, we want to know someone will be there to help — someone who is properly trained.
But when the certification process becomes so cumbersome that it reduces the supply of trained emergency medical personnel, without improving necessary skills, a change is needed.
The state is finally getting around to addressing the matter and involving the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association — which said it had been excluded from the process for two years. The chiefs should have been part of the process from the beginning.
Among the problems is the national certification test required by the Illinois Department of Public Health for emergency medical technicians.
The national test includes material irrelevant to Illinois and has testing locations that are not always convenient. Critics say the national process is more costly and lacks flexibility to meet the needs of many departments and agencies.
At this point, many larger departments — including the Bloomington Fire Department — require applicants to be certified emergency medical technicians before they are hired. For the eligibility list Bloomington is putting together for its next round of hiring, applicants will need to be certified paramedics.
But in smaller communities, especially those with volunteer rescue squads, the certification process is an even larger issue. At least five emergency medical service agencies in Illinois have had to reduce service because of the inability to put new EMTs on the job. Farmer City is one of the affected communities, according to the Illinois Fire Chiefs Association.
The process of becoming an emergency medical technician is difficult enough without additional barriers. The certification test should be tailored to the needs of Illinois, rather than covering every conceivable situation that could be encountered nationwide, from scorpion stings to coral snake bites.
Bloomington Fire Chief Keith Ranney said Illinois is required to have a state test.
The chiefs’ association is not trying to “dumb down” the test, he said. Rather, the group is trying to “satisfy the logistics of getting this in place.”
For the sake of would-be emergency medical technicians — and especially for the sake of those relying on the availability of EMTs in an emergency — we urge the state and all the other players in this issue to resolve the situation swiftly and not leave it simmering on the back burner.
My personal opinion is those few states, want their own special test. Instead of teaching broad and general care that may expand in other areas and locals. Again, if you start this don't expect national reprocicity
R/r 911
