Six new paramedics join Hennepin EMS

On Wednesday, September 5 , family and colleagues gathered to celebrate with Hennepin EMS Paramedic Academy class 2012-3, as they had successfully completed their probationary period and became fully-qualified Hennepin EMS Paramedics.

In a brief ceremony six paramedics — Liam Sullivan, Nick Pierce, Andrew Jakacki, Thomas Hornsby, Dustin Graetz and Anthony D’Agostino (see photo above) — had their probationary shields removed and received their permanent Hennepin EMS badges.

Just as those completing law enforcement or firefighter programs in college are not automatically ready to protect the public, neither are paramedics. While many paramedics hired by Hennepin EMS may have experience at other agencies; the practice of emergency medicine in the field can vary from agency to agency, and the tools and technology used varies widely. In addition, Hennepin EMS is the busiest and most diverse EMS agency in the region, responding to approximately 60,000 9-1-1 calls for help per year from the urban center of Minneapolis, to quiet communities along Lake Minnetonka.

A new paramedic at Hennepin EMS spends his or her first six months learning from a variety of sources. Hours are spent in the classroom discussing the nuances of medical protocols used at Hennepin, and practicing with tools that range from splinting materials and map-reading to radios and computers used in the ambulances. Practice scenarios are performed and scrutinized by the physician medical directors and members of the management team. They spend time in the EMS Emergency Communications Center (ECC) in order to have a basic understanding of how EMS is provided; from 9-1-1 call to the patient’s arrival at the hospital. Finally, they provide care to patients in the field under the close supervision of senior paramedics who serve as Field Training Officers.

Hennepin EMS is proud to welcome these fully-qualified paramedics as they carry on a more than century-old tradition of providing prehospital care as they serve our patients and our community.

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About Hennepin EMS:
Hennepin EMS is an urban/suburban EMS agency operated by Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis. With a service area of 266 square miles and a population base of approximately 700,000 permanent resident; Hennepin EMS serves the communities of Minneapolis, St. Anthony, Richfield, Golden Valley, St. Louis Park, Hopkins, Minnetonka, Eden Prairie, Deephaven, Greenwood, Excelsior, Tonka Bay, Woodland and Shorewood. Hennepin EMS responds to approximately 60,000 calls for help each year and transports patients to over 19 area hospitals.

Contact:  Robert Ball, EMS Public Information Officer: 612-363-3936 / [email protected]