Ohio

Richard N. Rucker, Executive Director
Carol Cunningham, MD, Medical Director
Department of Public Safety
Emergency Medical Services Division
1970 W. Broad St., P.O. Box 182073
Columbus OH 43218-2073
614/466-9447 800/233-0785 Fax 614/466-9461
www.ems.ohio.gov
e-mail: rnrucker@dps.state.oh.us

EMT-Basic: Skills include: Emergency victim care, emergency vehicle driving, vital signs, in-hospital training, clinical experience. Hours of training: 130. Certification requirements: Successful completion of U.S./DOT National Standard Curriculum for Emergency Medical Technician-Basic through programs accredited by the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, State Board of EMS. Individual accredited programs may exceed the hours with justification and approval of the State Board. National Registry examination. Recertification requirements: Every 3 years; 4 options: 1.) Examination in lieu of continuing education; 2.) 40 hours continuing education which includes 6 hours on pediatric and 2 hours on geriatric; 3.) Maintain National Registry; 4.) 36-hour refresher course.

EMT-Intermediate: Skills include: All skills of Basic EMT and, in conjunction with a cooperating licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or a physician advisory board, may establish and maintain an IV lifeline that has been approved by the cooperating physician or physician advisory board; perform cardiac monitoring; perform electrical interventions to support or correct cardiac function; administer epinephrine. Hours of training: 74 hours of didactic including in-hospital training. Certification requirements: Successful completion of U.S./DOT National Standard Curriculum for the Intermediate EMT through programs accredited by the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, State Board of EMS. Individual accredited programs may exceed hours with justification and approval of the State Board. National Registry examination. Recertification requirements: Every 3 years, 4 options: 1.) Examination in lieu of continuing education; 2.) 60 hours of continuing education; 3.) Maintain National Registry certification; 4.) 40-hour refresher course plus 20 hours of continuing education.

EMT-Paramedic: Skills include: In addition to performing those skills of EMT-Is, render rescue and emergency medical services and, in conjunction with a cooperating licensed medical doctor, doctor of osteopathic medicine and surgery, or a physician advisory board, may perform the following life support or intensive care techniques: cardiac monitoring, defibrillation, airway procedures, relief of pneumothorax, administration of appropriate drugs and IV fluids. Hours of training: 600–800 hours. Certification requirements: Successful completion of U.S./DOT National Standard Curriculum for EMT-Paramedic through programs accredited by the Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, State Board of EMS. Individual accredited programs may exceed the hours with justification and approval of the State Board. National Registry examination. Recertification requirements: Every 3 years; 4 options: 1.) Examination in lieu of continuing education; 2.) 80 hours of continuing education and a current ACLS card; 3.) Maintain National Registry certification; 4.) 48-hour refresher course plus 32 hours of continuing education and a current ACLS card.

Responsible certification agency: Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of EMS.

Reciprocity: National Registry examination is used at all levels.

Salary ranges: N/A.

Number of licensed ambulance vehicles (public and private) in the state: 940 (private only; public not licensed).

Numbers of EMS personnel: Currently state-certified First Responders 2300, Basic EMTs, 21,549; currently state-certified Intermediate EMTs, 2,214; currently state-certified Paramedics, 14,727; ED physicians, 953; ED nurses, 1,002.

Numbers of EMS services: 1,549.

Number of requests for EMS in the most recent available 12-month period: N/A.

Statewide uniform ambulance reporting form: Began January 1, 2002.

Description of statewide data-gathering system: View data elements on website.

Special projects or programs operated by EMS office: EMS-C; lead agency for state SafeKids curriculum; state trauma registry; state trauma committee.

Federal/government funding: Ninety-eight percent of safety belt fine money: 28% is administrative; 54% is grants to local services.

State funds allocated to run EMS office: N/A.

Unique funding methods: N/A.

Important changes and developments within the last year: N/A.

Outlook/changes for coming year: N/A.

Job outlook/areas of greatest need: N/A.