Paramedic Program History
The Emergency Medical Education Center at F-M Ambulance
F-M Ambulance Service has served the cities of Fargo, ND and Moorhead, MN, and much of Cass and Clay counties since 1959. The population of this area is approximately 200,000 people. We average 14,000+ calls per year. F-M Ambulance operates 14 advanced life support vehicles; 2 supervisor trucks; an MCI equipment truck; and a mobile unified command vehicle.
The Emergency Medical Education Center (EMEC) is a modern, completely equipped EMS training institution, dedicated to all aspects of EMS education. We train thousands of people annually in emergency care courses including: Basic CPR/AED, CPR Instructor, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Advanced Life Support, Basic First Aid, First Responder, EMT-Basic, EMT-Intermediate, Pre-Hospital Trauma Life Support, and EMT-Paramedic. EMEC works with the region's 3 major hospitals: Sanford, Essentia, and the Veterans Administration and many other clinics, public safety agencies, and other sites. This, combined with a large call volume and outstanding instruction, provides for an excellent opportunity for paramedic education.
About the Paramedic Program
The first paramedic program FM Ambulance conducted was in 1980. A class has graduated every year since then, with 2 classes a year graduating starting in 2005.
The paramedic program follows the National Department of Transportation 1999 revised curriculum with additions necessary to meet the North Dakota Department of Health, Minnesota EMSRB,and CAAHEP accreditation guidelines. The course consists of approximately 575 or 700 classroom hours (evening or day class) and an average of 1,200 clinical hours. We are currently in the process of upgrading our courses to match the new National Standard Curriculum which will be in effect in 2013.
Paramedics licensed as EMS Instructors by the State of North Dakota, physicians, pharmacologists, registered nurses, and other allied health professionals teach the course.
With our diverse clinical and ambulance internship sites, the range of experiences available to our students is unparalleled.
Additional certifications offered during this course include: ACLS, PALS, PHTLS and AHA BLS instructor.
F-M Ambulance attained national program accreditation through CAAHEP in 2007. We are affiliated with North Dakota State College of Science to provide our students with college credits and the opportunity to earn an Associate's Degree.
Ron Lawler, AAS NREMT-P
Paramedic Program Coordinator
FM Ambulance Education Dept.
2215 18th St S
Fargo, ND 58103
1-701-364-1745
1-800-642-0774 extension 745