What is the difference between EMTs and Paramedics?
All our members are trained as Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). EMTs are trained in Basic Life Support (BLS) and can provide cardiac defibrillation, CPR, oxygen therapy, splinting and trauma care, and other Basic life saving treatment. Initial EMT certification involves approximately 130 hours of training. Paramedics on the other hand, provide Advanced Life Support (ALS) treatment including intravenous medication, cardiac monitoring, endotracheal intubation, and adminstration of advanced medications, all under the direction of a Physician. Paramedic training involves more than 1200 hours of classroom and clinical education. Because of these extensive training requirements, the State of NJ restricts Paramedic service to only one agency per county. BLK agencies such as ours may not provide Paramedic service. The Paramedic service for Mercer County is provided by Capital Health System.
