Peoples’ lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical services (EMS) personnel. A call to 911 will elicit a response from EMS, along with police and fire departments. Paramedics and Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) evaluate and treat people with injuries and medical conditions and if needed, transport them to local area hospitals.

The EMS Education Department, a division of the Denver Health Paramedics, is a state of Colorado EMS approved training center.  Available programs include EMT training, Paramedic training, continuing education for emergency service and healthcare workers and community education. 

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Interested in becoming an EMT or Paramedic?

The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) is the certifying body for EMS personnel. There are three levels including EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic. NREMT defines the different levels based on skill sets. All three positions function as a part of a comprehensive EMS response.

• The primary focus of the EMT is to provide basic emergency medical care and transportation for patients. This individual possesses the basic knowledge and skills necessary to conduct patient assessments and manage situations such as airway obstruction, bleeding, fractures, cardiac arrest and emergency childbirth.
• The Advanced EMT provides basic and limited advanced emergency medical care as well as transportation for patients. Advanced EMTs perform interventions and possess more hands on experience and advanced skill sets to manage advanced airway devices, start intravenous (IV) fluids and administer some medication.
• Paramedics are the most advanced EMS personnel. In addition to a thorough understanding of anatomy and physiology, paramedics possess a higher level of medical skill and have the ability to provide advanced emergency medical care for patients. Training includes extensive coursework, clinical and field experience.

All 50 states require EMT and Paramedics to be licensed, but some levels and titles vary from state to state. License renewal is required every two years and generally EMTs and Paramedics must take a refresher course or complete continuing education to maintain their license.