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First FGTC EMT-I Bootcamp
While the state sets the minimum number of hours for all EMT Intermediate
(EMT-I) programs, each school sets up the curriculum to fit their
individual needs. At many schools the standard EMT-I program is
taught over a 9-13 month schedule and will often require additional
core or ancillary courses. The standard EMT-I program at Faithful
Guardian Training Center (FGTC) runs over a 6-7 month schedule and
all course requirements are included in the curriculum. This program
structure has been very effective for the vast majority of our students
over the last 3 years.
Recently, several local fire departments have requested a specialized
program designed to get firefighters certified as EMT-I’s
as quickly as possible. Additional they wanted this new program
to be taught during day classes (not evening classes). After several
months of work and evaluation we came up with an accelerated format
that would cover the EMT-I curriculum in 3-4 months. We referred
to this class as our EMT-I Bootcamp and strongly recommend that
all students enrolling in this class have some form of previous
EMS, military or fire department experience.
We are pleased to announce that in July we completed the first pilot
program of the EMT-I Bootcamp and it was a great success. With this
success behind us, we have decided to start offering the EMT-I Bootcamp
course on an ongoing basis. We started our second Bootcamp class
in August of 2010, and our next one is scheduled to start February
2011.
FGTC donates AEDS to the Villa
Rica Police Department
 As
part of our mission to provide education and support to our community,
FGTC looks for ways to assist our public safety agencies in all
endeavors. When we were approached by the Villa Rica Police Department
(VRPD) for help in obtaining Automatic External Defibrillators (AED)
for their patrol cars we were excited for the opportunity to help.
An AED is a small, portable device that analyzes the heart's rhythm
for any abnormalities and, if necessary, directs the rescuer to
deliver an electrical shock to the heart of someone suffering from
sudden cardiac arrest. The American Heart Association has identified
the early use of an AED in cardiac arrest situations as one of the
most important interventions possible.
Nikie Smith, CTC Coordinator for FGTC, headed up the project and
began to research options. After determining the police departments
need, Nikie turned to Mike Willingham, Senior Director of the American
Heart Association for assistance. With the cooperation of the American
Heart Association and the Cardiac Science Corporation, Nikie was
able to secure support in obtaining the AEDS to meet the police
department’s need. The cost for this project was over $10,000
in regards to the AED’s and the support material necessary
for their proper operation.
In October 20009, we were happy to donate four Cardiac Science AED’s
to the Villa Rica Police Department. These life saving devices are
now in our community and serving the needs of the people of Villa
Rica. We would like to thank the VRPD, American Heart Association
and the Cardiac Science Corporation for their assistance.
FGTC enrolls the 350th student
As a hallmark of our success, we
were excited to enroll the 350th student for our full time, in-house
EMT programs during the spring/summer enrollment period of 2010.
This wonderful accomplishment is
a direct reflection of the dedication and professionalism of our
instructional staff and the caliber of teaching excellence they
demonstrate with each class. Over the last three years we have administered
eighteen First Responder, EMT-I, and EMT-Paramedic programs along
with numerous occupational and community based safety courses. Not
only have we enrolled our 350th student, but our in-house teaching
staff is comprised of over 50 subcontracted adjuncts and lead instructors.
FGTC also works daily with over 40 additional independent instructors
from outside our company that assist in specialty courses and OSHA
training exercises.
Our primary teaching facility is located in Villa Rica’s historic
downtown district beside Wicks Tavern. We are pleased to support
our community by bringing in employees and students from over a
30 county area to shop and visit our neighboring businesses.
Advanced Training
Center for the American Heart Association
In March 2010, the American Heart
Association (AHA) recognized Faithful Guardian Training Center (FGTC)
as an Advanced ACLS/PALS Training Center. As a Basic Training Center
we were able to process CPR/First Aid cards and rosters, and to
manage and train new BLS instructors.
This new expansion of our service
level allows us to process cards and rosters for Advanced Cardiac
Life Support (ACLS) and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) courses.
By servicing both BLS and Advanced Level instructors, we are able
to provide our community with a more expansive range of life support
courses.
Our new role allows us to continue
teaching provider and instructor level courses, to teach the entire
range of AHA/ECC courses, and provide community education initiatives.
Our entire staff assisted in this 3 year application process with
the American Heart Association and we wish to thank everyone involved
with this great accomplishment.
If you are a CPR, First Aid, ACLS
or PALS instructor and would like to affiliate with FGTC please
email us at Instructor Transfer. We have a 5-7 day turn around on
card printing and provide both in-house and in-field annual updates.
New Classes…. Defense Tactics
for EMS Providers 
FGTC is excited to offer a new series of personal safety courses
for Fire, Police and EMS Providers. Escaping Violent Encounters
(E.V.E.) courses are designed to help protect public safety workers
in their daily operations.
There is a widely recognized but little acknowledged problem threatening
fire and emergency medical service personnel: injury through assault.
The frequency of assault on our Fire and EMS providers is alarming.
Many EMS/Fire providers have anecdotal stories of how they were
attacked by a violent patient, an angry bystander or upset family
member. While most attacks are not life threatening, the risk of
serious injury is evident and unpredictable. EMS providers need
an effective and reasonable plan on how to avoid an attack, and
also know how to defend themselves once attacked. Your emergency
medical services staff requires a reasonable, liability-conscious,
effective means of preventing and avoiding assault by patients,
their family or bystanders.
The E.V.E.-4-EMS/Fire™ courses give the EMS provider the options
needed to recognize a developing threat of assault, deflect it if
possible, escape if practicable, and to defend if necessary. These
courses are offering through FGTC in cooperation with DT4EMS, Tangent
Edge and Team 7.
For further details regarding classes and scheduling
please email us at www. faithfulguardian.com.
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