American Medical Response, Troup County Fire Department honor several

Published 8:45 am Friday, April 15, 2022

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American Medical Response (AMR) Georgia and the Troup County Fire Department honored a class of 18 students Wednesday night who earned their EMT-B certifications.

By completing the class, the participants are now certified to work onboard ambulances, and if interested, could work part-time for AMR in addition to their job at the Troup County Fire Department.

“I hope you don’t stop there,” said Chris Hunter, EMS Chief for AMR Troup County. “With AMR, you’re free to take any of the classes we offer.”

The program began in November 2021 and consisted of over 20 participants. The ceremony, held at Callaway Conference Center, featured words of encouragement from Troup County Fire Chief Michael Strickland and Troup County 911 Director Jason Lawson. Some of the graduates were absent. 

“This has been a long process to get to where we are now,” Strickland, a paramedic of 32 years, said. “We definitely had a need to train several of our firefighters on the EMT level and [AMR] was able to step up and make it happen for us. The end product with these 18 men and women completing the basic EMT class is really going to solidify the firefighter department of Troup County as we protect our visitors and citizens.”

Lawson, who additionally works as a part-time AMR lieutenant, recommended that graduates keep the needs of their patients in check but also their own needs as well.

“I learned early on don’t make the patient, the family or your partner whoop your butt out there on a call,” Lawson said. “We all have those bad days, but protect your partner, get back in your truck and get back in your bed if you can.”

The graduates were additionally congratulated through an email by Gov. Brian Kemp.