South Dakota

2011 Information
Danny Hayes, Director
South Dakota Dept. of Public Safety, EMS
118 West Capitol
Pierre, SD 57501-2036
605/773-4031
https://dps.sd.gov/emergency_services/emergency_medical_services/default.aspx
e-mail: Daniel.hayes@state.sd.us

EMT-Basic. Skills include: 1994 U.S. DOT EMT-Basic curriculum. Hours of training: 110. Certification requirements: Complete the class and pass National Registry-administered practical and written examinations. Recertification requirements: 30 hours of refresher training every 2 years.

EMT-Intermediate/85. Skills include: U.S. DOT EMT-Intermediate/85 curriculum. Hours of training: Minimum 40 hours didactic, 24 hours ride time with an ALS service. Certification requirements: Complete class, pass National Registry practical and written examinations for EMT-I/85. Recertification requirements: 40 hours of refresher training every two years or current National Registry certification.

EMT-Intermediate/99. Skills include: U.S. DOT EMT-Intermediate/99 curriculum. Hours of training: Follows U.S. DOT guidelines. Certification requirements: Complete class, pass EMT-I/99 National Registry practical and written examinations. Recertification requirements: 60 hours of refresher training every two years or current National Registry certification.

EMT-Paramedic. Skills include: Current U.S. DOT EMT-Paramedic curriculum. Hours of training: 540 hours didactic, 320 hours clinical observation, 240 hours of prehospital advanced life support observation. Certification requirements: Complete class and pass EMT-P National Registry written and practical examinations. Recertification requirements: 60 hours of refresher training every two years or current National Registry certification.

Responsible certification agency. EMT-Bs, EMTI/85s, EMT-I/99s and EMT-Ps are certified by the South Dakota Department of Public Safety for a period of two years; all ALS personnel are licensed by the South Dakota Board of Medical and Osteopathic Examiners for a one-year period. Medical directors are required for all ALS personnel, but not for EMT-Bs.

Reciprocity. South Dakota grants EMT-B reciprocity upon proof of current certification by the National Registry. Applicants also must be living in South Dakota. All ALS personnel must be working for a South Dakota ambulance service, and be currently certified by the National Registry.

Salary ranges: EMT-B: $18,500–$25,000/yr.; EMT-I/85: $25,000–$28,000/yr.; EMT-I/99: $25,000–$32,000/yr.; EMT-P: $31,000–$45,000/yr.

Number of licensed ambulance vehicles (public and private) in the state: 286.

Numbers of EMS personnel: Currently state-certified EMT-Bs, 2,833; currently state-certified EMT-I/85s, 256; currently state-certified EMT-I/99s, 15; currently state-certified EMT-Ps, 396; ED physicians, approximately 30–35.

Numbers of EMS services: Fire department (paid), 3; fire department (volunteer), 5; volunteer ambulance services, 92; private ambulance services, 12; municipal, 6; hospital-based, 7; military, 1; Native American health services, 6; air ambulance, 9.

Number of requests for EMS in the most recent available 12-month period: Approximately 109,000 (calls reported by ambulance services and estimates by our office).

Statewide uniform ambulance reporting form: Computers have been purchased for all services, and key data is being used. An RFP to acquire a Gold Standard Web-based, NEMSIS compliant system is nearly ready to be released.

Federal/government funding: NHTSA, $350,000.

State funds allocated to run state EMS office: $295,000.

Job outlook/areas of greatest need: Very few paid services. Larger towns always looking for paramedics; smaller towns nearly all volunteer.