Meeting a need

David L. Dye, The Herald, Sharon, Pa.
·4 min read

May 21—SHARON — Across the state of Pennsylvania, communities — particularly in rural areas — are having difficulty finding people trained for the EMS field, but two local organizations are partnering to supply potential employees for EMS providers throughout the Shenango Valley.

The Hope Center for Arts and Technology, or HopeCAT, in Sharon and McGonigle Ambulance Service, have begun working together to solve that problem with an EMS training program.

McGonigle staff will serve as instructors, with Penn State Fayette providing the course curriculum said Patrick Murphy, director of operations for McGonigle Ambulance Service.

Students will pay a fee to enter the program, which will offer courses for three different specialties — EMT basic, which is an entry-level course; advanced EMT, or AEMT; and paramedic, a more advanced curriculum for people who are already EMTs.

The courses fill a developing need. Murphy said EMT shortages have not affected service in the Shenango Valley, but more rural areas are starting to feel the pinch because people are pursuing other higher-paying jobs in the medical field.

"A lot of younger people are going into the technical or nursing fields instead of emergency fields," Murphy said.

Another factor — a lack of access to EMT classes — does affect the Shenango Valley.

The Community College of Allegheny County had developed a class at Sharon Regional Medical Center, but the program was discontinued more than a year ago. Butler County Community College has an EMT class, but it's offered only at its Butler campus, Murphy said.

HopeCAT, which already offers adult classes in medical assisting and phlebotomy, will provide classroom space for the new program. Tom Roberts, HopeCAT executive director, said the EMS program fits the center's mission of getting people started on career paths.

"We don't have to create the curriculum, we don't have to hire instructors, they just needed a beautiful space, and it fits in alignment with our mission, so we're happy to house the education here," Roberts said.

HopeCAT already has a clinical lab, for its two existing medical programs, which will be used in the EMS training program. The center also has a unused traditional classroom that that will be renovated specifically for the EMS program, Roberts said.

Those renovations include electrical work, painting and carpeting, as well as the purchase of some equipment. Roberts said that could cost nearly $30,000.

Sharon Regional Medical Center donated $18,000 to help HopeCAT launch the program, with the funding to be put toward renovations and supplemental equipment.

"Sharon Regional Medical Center is happy to make this monetary contribution through the generosity of Steward Health Care, our parent company, to help support our regional EMS, EMT and paramedics in their continuing education," said Dr. David Shellenbarger, chief medical officer of Sharon Regional Medical Center.

Following the lead donation by Sharon Regional, Roberts said HopeCAT will reach out to regional foundations, philanthropic organizations and individuals for further support toward the program. Sharon Regional Medical Center, Penn State Fayette and McGonigle are donating equipment, Murphy said.

The basic EMT course will begin in the summer and is scheduled for 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. three to four days a week for about seven weeks. This class will be aimed at high school students and college graduates, with classes held during the students' summer break.

He said the four-month AEMT and 10-13-month paramedic courses are designed for working professionals, with classes planned for the evenings around 6 to 10 p.m. so students can attend after work.

Graduates from the program could fill positions with multiple local agencies — McGonigle in Hermitage, Life Force of Western PA Inc. in Greenville, Elite EMS in Hermitage, or Noga Ambulance Service, Inc., in Lawrence County.

"This will be nice because it can feed EMS services throughout the area," Murphy said.

HopeCAT played host Monday to a celebration reception, with acceptance of the Sharon Regional Medical Center donation and an instructional session, "Stand Down! Dealing with Combative Patients," which was free to the public.

Roberts said HopeCAT could also play host to other required continuing education courses for first responders.

Anyone interested or looking to enroll in the program can contact McGonigle Ambulance Service at 724-347-7575 or online at www.mcgonigleambulance.com. To make a donation toward the program, contact Roberts at 724-308-5135 ext. 700 or by email at tom.roberts@hopecat.org.

Like David L. Dye on Facebook or email him at ddye@sharonherald.com.