Dave Berkstresser will instruct an EMT Basic class at the Old Forge Firehall beginning Thursday, January 5.
The course, which is sponsored by Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare, is scheduled to take place on Monday and Thursday nights from 6 to 10 p.m.
Participants must be at least 18 years of age, although exceptions may be made for those whose eighteenth birthday occurs before the end of May.
Anyone who joins or who currently belongs to a Fire Depart-ment, Rescue Squad, or Ambu-lance Corps will receive free tuition.
The class will include a mix of classroom instruction, hands-on instruction in CPR, Automatic External Defibrillation, splinting and bandaging, vital signs, assessment, treatment, and extrication techniques, and lessons on how to report and document findings.
The class will also include a minimum of ten hours of ambulance ride-along time in the Utica area, as well as the opportunity for ride-alongs in the Old Forge area.
Final testing is scheduled for Thursday, May 17.
Berkstresser is a state-certified Department of Health Instructor who has, over the years, trained hundreds of EMTs from Turin to Verona.
“It is not for everyone, but you never know until you try. It can be a lot of fun and very rewarding. The emergency services in the area are some of the best in the state, and necessary to the well being of the community. I would like to pass what I know along to the next generation,” Berkstresser said.
Those with questions or comments about the program can contact Berkstresser at (315) 369-3546.
