I’m often asked, “Hey, how do I get involved in EMS?” Well, you start by taking an EMT class and you go from there. However, The EMT class is at minimum 110 hours. That’s a big commitment for someone who’s not really sure if they want to go down that road.
A great way to test the water, to see if you actually can cope with the sick and injured, is to join a First Aid Team. In Seattle, the American Red Cross has a group of very dedicated volunteers that provide first aid at a myriad of outdoor events and festivals. I’ve been a Team Lead with the Seattle FAST team for a while and it’s a great group of people. The cast is wide and varied; from new EMTs and Nurses to Pre-Med students to folks who’ve taken a basic first aid class and just want to be involved.
If you’ve got an interest in EMS and want to learn a little more, I invite you to contact your Red Cross chapter and see if they have a FAST team. If they do, join. If they don’t, convince them to start one!
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