Nine Students From 7 Communities Complete Rigorous EMT-1 Courses

Copper River EMS Presents New EMTs To the Copper Valley Community 

New EMTs, May 2023. (Photo, Copper River EMS) 

May 5, 2023 Press Release From Copper River EMS 

Copper River EMS and CRNA recently partnered to provide an EMT-1 Initial Certification course open to all residents of the Copper River region.

Funding for the course was provided by the FY22 SAMHSA Rural EMS Training Grant awarded to CRNA.

The class was held evenings and weekends over the past 7 weeks. A total of 9 students completed the intensive 140-hour course from Nabesna, Slana, Mentasta, Gakona, Glennallen, Copper Center, and Kenny Lake. Students were required to complete a rigorous skills portfolio including trauma and medical assessments, trauma skills, airway skills, and quite a few medications including potential life-saving treatments such as IM Epinephrine for anaphylaxis.


Everyone also passed their State Written Certification exams with flying colors!! Pictured (l-r): Willie McGee (recipient of the class Academic Achievement Award), Gabrielle Ramsthel, Victoria Rego (kneeling, recipient of the Dedication and Inquisitiveness Award), Selina Ortiz, Sam Zhang, Jason Brown, Cynthia Eskilida, and Susie Martin (recipient of the Skills and Assessment Mastery Award), not pictured: Brianna Stevens, and Matt Lorenz (Instructor).


Congratulations to these students for their many hours of hard work! Several of these students are planning to use their new skills and certifications to help their friends and neighbors and respond to medical emergencies as part of our local volunteer EMS and Fire departments.