MOUNT VERNON — With ever-changing technology, new information on the human body and new ways of constructing buildings, it’s imperative for firefighters and EMTs to keep up with new ways to do their jobs.
Because of that, the state requires that every firefighter and EMT complete a certain number of hours of continuing education in order to keep their credentials and be able to perform their duties. Firefighters need 36 hours, while EMTs need 86 hours of continuing education every three years in order to have their credentials renewed.
“There’s two sides to our industry — fire and EMS,” said Mount Vernon Assistant Fire Chief Chris Menapace. “EMS, basically since its inception, has always done a better job at stimulating their members to continually better themselves, to continually challenge themselves, don’t become complacent. Don’t think because you learned it in 1980, that’s the way we work a cardiac arrest in 2000. They’ve always done a great job with that.
