Copyright © 2004 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

Creek Nation Community Health Representatives display their certificates of completion.

TAHLEQUAH, OKLAHOMA - Cherokee Nation staff recently trained employees of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation how to respond in medical emergencies.

Community Health Representatives for the Creek Nation took part in the Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Services’ (CNEMS) curriculum of training.

"This is the first time for the Creek Nation to come through our training", said Tracy Glory, Cherokee Nation critical care paramedic and advanced instructor.

The training, called First Responder training, allows students to learn first hand how to save a person’s life through basic life support with minimal equipment available until emergency personnel can respond. Students that complete this course can seek national certification as a first responder through the state.

Glory has taught First Responder courses at the Cherokee Nation for two years. "A first responder is an important role in helping in emergency situations", Glory said. "They can be the first to respond to an incident within their communities when emergency medical personnel are on the way, and help the patient until more definitive care can be given." Nineteen students completed forty-eight hours of course work during the two-week training session.

"They did an excellent job for the amount of time and the extensive material they had to learn", Glory said. "The class is usually spread out over 6 weeks with 12 class periods, but they completed this in 2 weeks with 6 class periods at 8 hours a day. They retained a lot of information in a relatively condensed amount of time." First responder training is offered approximately once a month, with an average of 6 classes being taught per year. Cherokee Nation also offers various other training sessions. For more information, visit the Cherokee Nation web site at www.cherokee.org For more information, visit the Cherokee Nation web site, EMS section.

Related contact information:

Mike Miller, Cherokee Nation Director of Communications Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2210) Fax: 918-458-5580 E-mail: Communications@cherokee.org Larry Daugherty, Advertising Manager Cherokee Nation - Public Affairs Phone 918-456-0671 (Ex.2324) E-mail: ldaugherty@cherokee.org

Steven Swogger, Agriculture Liaison Natural Resources Department Phone: 918-456-0671 (ext.2546) FAX: 918-458-7673 E-mail: sswogger@cherokee.org Bradley D. Peak, Cherokee Nation Natural Resources Specialist Phone: 918-456-0671 (ex.2843) E-mail: bpeak@cherokee.org