MANSFIELD, PA –
MANSFIELD, PA – Eleven police officers graduated from an
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program offered by the Mansfield University
Public Safety Training Institute (MUPSTI) on Thursday, December 13. The officers included 6 Troopers of the
Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), 4 recent
graduates of the Mansfield University Act 120 Police Academy, and one officer
from the Mansfield University Police Department.
The officers successfully completed 210 hours of classroom
and practical training over a 6-week period.
After completing the EMT certification process, these officers
will be cross-trained as police officers and EMTs. Police officers are often the first to
respond to incidents involving injuries.
Cross training allows the officers to begin life-saving measures while awaiting
the arrival of additional medical personnel.
Scott Henry, Director of the Public Safety Training
Institute stated, “Our law enforcement
officers are often the first to arrive at emergency situations. We believe – at
MUPSTI – that our public safety practitioners should be trained in a variety of
disciplines and skillsets and this EMT class was an example of that. These
officers will not necessarily be working as EMTs during their careers, but they
will be able to apply the advanced training they received at a moment’s notice
in the field, while also bringing their unique knowledge back to their agency.”
“Cross training
among practitioners, such as this, creates a more efficient emergency
management system, where everyone has their primary duties in particular
situations, but also has extensive knowledge in other areas to assist when
needed,” said Dr. Joshua Battin, Interim Associate Dean of Faculty. “This is
especially important in rural communities when assistance is needed in remote
locations.”
The training was made possible by a generous grant from
Shell Appalachia and from financial support provided by the Tioga County
Commissioners. Support for the class was
provided by Tioga County Emergency Management Services, UPMC, and Mansfield
Fire and Ambulance.
The Mansfield University Public Safety Training Institute is
dedicated to providing critical training for the enhancement of public safety.