Frequently Asked Questions
What is an EMT?
An EMT, or
Emergency Medical
Technician, is a person who is specially trained to handle medical
emergencies using basic life support. This person is able to perform
capable patient assessments and use his or her knowledge to apply such
treatments as oxygen therapy, splinting, wound management and spinal
immobilization. An EMT has undergone over 148 hours of classroom and
clinical instruction.
How can I become an EMT?
Depending on your
location, finding an EMT class can be as simple as contacting your
local rescue squad or community college. In Mecklenburg County, EMT
classes are conducted by Central Piedmont Community College. Classes
are typically held during spring and fall semesters at several
different locations. The class is 148 hours of classroom instruction
and at least 10 hours of clinical time. Cost for the class is $65 in
Mecklenburg County, plus textbooks, but may vary in your area.
What is the difference between an EMT and a paramedic?
A paramedic is a
highly
skilled, highly educated medical professional. Paramedics typically
undergo 1600 or more hours of instruction, including advanced topics in
medicine, clinical instruction in many different areas of the hospital,
and field internships. Paramedics are able to perform such advanced
tasks as advanced patient assessments, heart rhythm interpretation,
blood glucose analysis, and are able to perform skills such as IV
therapy, drug administration, needle thoracentesis, needle
cricothyroidotomy, defibrillation, cardioversion and trans-thoracic
pacing. A paramedic is capable of handling and stabilizing a wide range
of emergencies from the time he or she arrives on scene until delivery
of the patient to the hospital.
Does the squad staff paramedics?
While it has members on
its roster who are certified as paramedics, the North Mecklenburg
Volunteer Rescue Squad does not staff any paramedics. The contract that
the squad holds with Mecklenburg EMS Agency (MEDIC) states that it can
provide first-responder, non-transport EMT services. Therefore, all
certified paramedics who volunteer for the squad function at the level
of EMT when they are running on squad calls.
What is Mecklenburg EMS Agency or MEDIC?
Mecklenburg EMS
Agency
(MEDIC) is the paramedic transport service for Mecklenburg County and
the city of Charlotte, North Carolina. It has the responsibility of
providing prehospital medical care for communities and citizens
throughout Mecklenburg County. The agency staffs paramedic ambulances
24 hours a day and is responsible for the transport of all emergency
and non-emergency patients. MEDIC is also responsible for the
coordination, contracts, and protocols for all first-responder services
in the county. MEDIC is also the dispatch center for all EMS and
county fire calls, and it serves as the county Emergency Operations
Center.
Does the squad transport patients to the
hospital?
No. According to the contracts established by Mecklenburg
EMS Agency, MEDIC and Mint Hill Vol. Fire Dept. are the only
primary transport agencies in the county (Both of which are
staffed by at least one paramedic). This is why North Mecklenburg Rescue Squad no longer owns or operates any ambulances.
Can the squad transport my loved one to the hospital
non-emergently?
No. We don't own or operate any ambulances. If you need a non-emergency transport by AMBULANCE you can contact the Mecklenburg EMS
Agency (MEDIC). MEDIC's non-emergency number is (704)
943-6190.
Is it true that the squad pays its' members?
That is partially true. The town of Huntersville budgeted funds to
compensate one paid person for the squad beginning in its 2002 fiscal
budget. The paid responsibility is shared by a number of squad members
who meet a special set of requirements. We staff 2
EMT/TR (TR=NC Certified Technical Rescuer) on duty 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. In addition to running EMS and RESCUE
calls, the paid staff is also responsible for station cleanliness,
equipment maintenance, and apparatus stocking.
If you have a question that is not
answered here, please
contact the squad at (704) 875-1457 or email
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