To get the island's first paramedic program off the ground is huge for not only the Guam Fire Department, but for the community, as well. The School of EMS Guam paramedic program is nearing its final phase. The first-ever on Guam, the program started back in May 2020 with initially 36 firefighters from the Guam Fire Department, there are now 24 students remaining.

The course requires a lot of dedication on top of their already tedious work schedules.

GFD Chief Dan Stone says the next step is for some of the students to head to Texas, telling KUAM News, "We have a few areas to complete. I'm hoping we're able to get everybody that has been successful in the course graduated within the next few weeks."

"We have currently 17 of our firefighters in this cohort that are moving into the phase of the program, which will require them to travel off-island to be able to do their field practicals over at the School of EMS."

Once they complete the course, successfully pass all the required tests and graduate. The chief added, "They will be certified in the highest level of emergency medical technician which is at the paramedic level. In addition to our current advanced life support program, the capabilities that they will be able to bring are much higher."

"In accordance with medical protocols, our GFD paramedics will have a higher level of knowledge and abilities on the administration of drugs not currently used by our GFD EMS system," he said.

The paramedics will also have advanced technical applications for specific cardiac interventions.

Along with the COVID pandemic, this program did have its share of challenges. It was in February of last year when the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs pulled accreditation for Guam's paramedic program, which meant firefighters in the course would not be nationally certified paramedics when they graduate. But that has since been resolved as students will have to opportunity to take the national certification test upon returning from Texas.

Chief Stone thanks the governor and lt. governor for making the launch of the program possible, As well as Dr. Mary Okada and her staff at the guam community college who have been helpful in ensuring the success of the program, Dave Dell'Isola from the Dept. of Labor for allowing access to the apprenticeship program and GMH and GRMC for allowing the students to do their clinicals.