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Recent graduates of the CNO-EMS paramedic class.

TAHLEQUAH, OKALHOMA - Sixteen emergency medical professionals recently completed a comprehensive 18-month course for certification as a paramedic through the Cherokee Nation Emergency Medical Service (EMS) training program.

"The class began with 18 students back in April of 2003," said Bill Humphrey, class instructor. "Most paramedic classes only graduate about five or six students and this class far surpassed the norm by graduating 16."

The class was made up of emergency medical professionals from Muskogee, Tulsa, Wagoner, Pryor, Tahlequah, Coweta, Jay and Arkansas, who spent two days a week for the past 18 months learning how to become a paramedic.

"I had heard a lot about the training programs offered by Cherokee Nation EMS through colleagues of mine at the fire station," said Brent Rush, firefighter from Siloam Springs, Arkansas. "Becoming a paramedic was of great interest to me, so that I could become more involved in getting out and helping people."

According to Humphrey, the 18-month paramedic course provides participants with the comprehensive skills necessary to be able to handle a variety of situations with greater care.

All participants were already registered Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT) and had successfully completed anatomy and physiology from a university, college or through the Cherokee Nation EMS training program.

"This was far more difficult than I thought it would be," said Frank Hardcastle, police officer with the Muskogee Police Department and part-time medic for Muskogee County EMS. "The amount of knowledge you gain over an 18-month period is amazing."

The Cherokee Nation plans to offer EMT refresher courses beginning on June 16. Courses that will be offered are EMT Basics, EMT Intermediates and Paramedics.

"Any additional training can enhance an EMT's knowledge," Humphrey said. "The more knowledge one has the better they can be at assessing a patient's treatment."

For more information on future training courses offered through the Cherokee Nation EMS, please call 918-458-5403.

Related Cherokee Nation 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