by Nick Delgado

Guam - Major concerns are being raised over the Guam Fire Department's advance EMT course, which started last November. Fire officials contend that the critical training is not effective due to the lack of medical professionals conducting it. The course includes advance life support capabilities allowing firefighters the opportunity to provide paramedic services.

While GFD Captain Darren Burrier says they did have one doctor train in pharmacology, the problem is actually getting all the instructors from GFD, Public Health, and GMH to teach the course at the same time.

"Scheduling for physicians is sometimes a little difficult because especially during the holidays when people take vacations. We're starting to get that countered now in getting more physicians and nurses that have specialties that will be coming in to give training to the class," Burrier said.

GFD Spokesperson Joey San Nicolas says this was the third attempt to get the EMT-i course started, as he says it has failed twice before.