An Introduction to NAEMT`s Military Division

As one of many branches of the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians, the Military Division addresses the unique concerns of both military medics and medics who are federally employed. The original focus of the Division was to provide this special population with a voice to the NAEMT, says CMSgt. Rick Ellis, career functional manager for U.S. Air Force Reserve medics and a member of NAEMT’s board of directors.

“The other main purpose was to provide a forum for military EMTs to talk to each other, rather than just to the medics in their individual units,” he says. “Unfortunately, that aspect didn’t take off like we hoped, so we probably need to do some work on that.”

At the present time, per Department of Defense policy, medics in all branches of the military are required to be nationally registered EMT-Basics. That training, says Ellis, is taught in both the Army and Air Force’s technical schools.

“Recruits can come in through basic training, then go to four weeks of EMT training—eight hours a day, five days a week,” he says.

A concern for many already established medics in the past was what to do if their certification lapsed during deployment.

“One issue we addressed was making sure that when individuals come home from a long deployment, they’re able to get their certifications up to date,” says 1Lt. Brian R. Ackerman, a flight nurse and chair of the NAEMT Military Division.

That issue was solved by the Military Division’s request to the National Registry and its subsequent approval to grant waivers to medics whose certification lapses during deployment.

“Now that deployments have become more of a steady state—in other words, medics know far enough in advance when they’re going to be deployed and can complete their recertification or apply for a waiver—the number of extensions has decreased,” says Ellis. “They do have to submit paperwork in advance showing what’s missing and why they need the extension. If they have the waiver in advance, they then have 60 days after they return to recertify. It puts on a little pressure, but at least they know they can get it done, versus having to take a refresher course all over.”

The concern, adds Ackerman, is for medics who are deployed in a nonmedical capacity.

“Say you’re a volunteer EMT from Iowa and a member of a National Guard unit, but your military occupation is other than medical. At the present time, there are no waivers in place for these individuals, whose communities need them back on the street when they come home. NAEMT has taken some initiatives to help make states aware this is going on.”

Although all military medics are required to train to the EMT-Basic level, their scope of practice may be extended to include IV therapy, medication administration and other techniques, but only while they are on military duty, say Ackerman and Ellis.

“This is allowed because a lot of our medics are on the front lines, where there’s no one else around until a helicopter arrives or they ground-convoy into a support area,” says Ackerman. “However, if you’re a Reservist and trained to Basic level, you may not perform these extra skills in the civilian world.”

Aside from the convenience of recertification extensions, Ackerman considers the opportunity to network as the major advantage to becoming a member of the NAEMT Military Division.

“At the EMS EXPO in Atlanta last October, there were individuals representing training commands from the Army, Air Force and Navy present, so Military Division members could address their concerns directly to the person in charge of the programs that impact their welfare,” he says. “In addition, medics stationed at one military base could compare programs being offered at another base that they would otherwise have not known about. Without this opportunity to network, you may never be aware of assets right outside your door that are available for you to use to benefit the education and training of your troops.”

Membership in the NAEMT Military Division is open to both military medics and federally employed EMTs for the cost of an NAEMT base membership plus $5, says Ackerman.

“In addition to military medics, our eligibility extends to civilian medics who work on a military base, EMT members of a military base fire-rescue squad, sky marshals, or DEA or FBI agents.”

Ackerman encourages anyone interested in finding out more about the Military Division to check out NAEMT’s website at: www.naemt.org, or e-mail him at: brianrackermanrn@msn.com.

—MN