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A special graduation took place at Oakfuskee Conservation Center on West Point Lake. Radios and cell phones were not turned off and blue uniforms were worn instead of caps and gowns. American Medical Response (AMR) Troup County, along with Fire Departments from Troup County and LaGrange hosted a graduation ceremony for ten students who became certified as Advanced EMTs (A-EMT). 

This was the first graduating class of its kind, as the only EMT class offered in the county prior was a Basic-EMT course. Firefighters, paramedics, EMTs and their families were present to watch the class graduate as advanced-level EMTs. 

“There’s different levels of EMTs. There’s the basic level EMT, which is kind of the entry-level, and then there’s the advanced level EMT, which is this step, and then the step above that is paramedic,” explained Michael Strickland, the Troup County Fire Chief. 

“A lot of these [graduates] will go on to become paramedics, so we just want to make sure that they have the knowledge and skills and abilities to be able to do the job. And, as departments… we’re developing employees that can carry on those skills to the community.”

Basic-EMTs are able to take vital signs, do assessments, give oxygen and use an AED if necessary. An Advanced-EMT is able to provide more services, including starting an IV and giving medication or breathing treatment. 

Strickland said there is a need for A-EMTs in Troup County.

“We’re trying to increase our EMS level of services. Right now, we’re a basic level first responder agency, but we’re trying to build up our skills and put equipment on the truck… to where, when a fire truck gets to a scene, and prior to AMR getting there, if somebody has a need for an interaction, we can provide [it]. That’s just better overall for the patient.” he said.

There were ten in this graduating class; two members of the AMR Troup County team, seven members of Troup County Fire, and one member of LaGrange Fire. They are:

• Leo Jolly (TCFD)
• Dylan Stephens (TCFD)
• Hunter White (TCFD)
• William Wert (TCFD)
• Jeff Boyington (TCFD)
• Jordan Ragan (TCFD)
• Derek Ehlers (TCFD)
• Keith McDow (LFD)
• Makynsie Waldroup (AMR)
• Josh Speelman (AMR)

In his opening remarks, Strickland asked three things of the graduates. First, to treat their patients with compassion. 

“Remember that they called you because they need you. You may not think it’s that big of a deal. You may think it’s minor, but to them, it’s a big deal…Keep that in focus,” he said.

The second request was to take care of themselves. 

“Try to eat right, get plenty of sleep, get plenty of rest. So when you come to work in the morning, you’re ready, you’re ready for a full day’s work. I know that can be taxing with the long hours you work [and] the call volume,” Strickland said. 

Along with physical health, he expressed the importance of the first responders addressing their mental health. 

“In the job of EMS you’re going to see things, you’re going to hear things, you’re going to smell things that the average person does not deal with,” Strickland said. “You’re going to be asked to perform duties that are very taxing on you both emotionally and mentally…Always, always take care of yourself. Don’t think you’re in this [by yourself]. There’s always somebody there.”

Lastly, the chief encouraged the Advanced-EMTs to keep learning. 

“Always keep your skills up. There are always new techniques to learn. There’s always new material that comes out…Always keep yourself fresh by going to continuing education training opportunities,” Strickland ended.