What is a refresher course?
A refresher course is an educational program approved by the Department of Health. It follows the national standard EMT-B refresher curriculum and reviews topics from the EMT-Basic course. The minimum course length is 24 hours, sixteen of which must be in certain areas. This allows the course coordinator at least eight hours to go over areas where students need more practice. The eight hours of elective can cover anything in the EMT-B curriculum. This would include, for example, splinting, medical emergencies and rapid extrication, but not rope rescue or EKG rhythm recognition.
A refresher course consists of a certain number of hours of continuing education in specified categories as described on recertification paperwork provided by the Department. This education can be a Department-approved course or it may consist of education conducted throughout the certification period through squad training sessions, attendance at conferences or other similar methods.
