The Education committee met each month on the Fridays prior to the Board of Trustees meetings.  Although attendance varied, we normally have a minimum of 8 DECs in attendance. All meetings are held via zoom at 8pm and we encourage every District to follow up with their DECs and ensure they are attending and contributing your district’s information.

Current forms and information are attached, and the website committee has been forwarded the information as well to post on the committee’s website page.

To date the committee has worked on the following items and encourage all squads to know this information:

1. By now, all squads should have updated their authorized signatures for Training Fund use. Simply email the state at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and include the Squads Name: New individual’s name, their title, their email and their contact number. Squads must also indicate who needs to be removed as an authorized signature before anew person can be added.

2. Updated refresher programs are still pending and no additional information sent out as of this time.

3. DETC’s in some areas shared concerns about hospitals that once were free will be charging for their Medical Directors. DETCs stated RWJ and Hackensack Meridian are 2 hospital systems involved. Some charges are stemming from increased insurance costs. Some medical directors are selecting what expanded scope of practice skills are being used and if the doctors have access to squads call reports. Costs are ranging form $2,000-$8,000 annually. We have asked for a medical director’s job description from Dr Vetrano.

4. Squads need to confirm that all EMT members have sent an email to the state with their name, EMT#, NREMT, Application# and Course number requesting certification in NJ. Although they may function as an EMT with the NREMT certification, they are forbidden to do any of the NJ Specific protocols-including medications. You can a verify member’s status online under the Credentials verification tab on the state site.  To request, please Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 

5. Training fund covers cost initial cost of the NREMT exam. Students have 30 days to use the voucher for testing expired.

6. Free CEUs : The state sends out free ceu opportunities so please share with all members and the website americancme.org had multiple EMS courses free of charge that squads can use as drills. This is the same site as the required LVO certification found on their website – the state will issue 0.5 ceus for the certificate.  People may also click on the NJ Group link and there are 18 courses the state will issue 0.5 ceus for free. Like Medic Ed, be sure to make sure the selected classes are approved by NJ Department of Health only or the ceus will not count toward renewing your certification.

7. Recertifying NREMT credential: The NJ cores will serve as skills evaluations along with a signature from designated squad officer/crew chief for renewals. Squads need to create an account for their agency to have their training officers can sign off on skills.

8. Core classes require students enrolled to bring both a current CPR card as well their current NJ/NREMT certification. These certs need to be kept on file with training agencies.

9. Currently since it is not in the textbooks, TIMS is not being added into the EMT Basic Programs, however it is highly recommended.

10. Sue DeWitt has the code for VFIS and District VP should contact her directly for the code for free ceu classes.

11. RWJBarnabas still charging $2950 for a basic class. Does accept TF form but is charging a non-refundable $450 non-refundable for all students which covers the textbook, ID and 1 uniform shirt. They also have a $30 for background check and may also be requiring fingerprinting soon. Refunds are only partially returned with 95% within 15 days of start of class and 45% within 5 days of class. No refunds after that time. It was also shared that Community Safety Consultants is not accepting the Training Fund form.

12. Please be sure your squads and its members respond to all surveys sent to them to have their opinions and recommendations considered.

Committee meetings will be continuing to meet the Friday prior to Board Meetings. Next meeting will be held on June 26^th at 8:00 pm via Zoom. Please email any of the chairs or Paula Weiler if you have someone who would like to attend and a link will be shared.

 Respectfully Submitted,
Edna Deacon, Gerry McEntee, Laurie Sheldon

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ICS UPDATES
Here is the updated information about in person ICS 200 class vs on-line ICS-200 class from the revised ExecutiveOrders to replace EO-50 regarding NIMS training requirements.

This explanation is from the NJ Office of Emergency Management Directive issued by Patrick J Callahan, Colonel, State Director of Emergency Management on August 18, 2021 and taking effect immediately.

CORE baseline training for all incident personnel, first responders or emergency response providers, excludingMAC Group personnel/officials:

1. IS-100 - An Introduction to the Incident Command System
2. IS-200/ICS-200 - Basic Incident Command System for Initial Response
   • ICS-200 (classroom version) is required for Emergency Management personnel, EOC personnel and Public Information Officers
   • ICS-200 (classroom version) is also mandatory for any advance training courses requiring "Basic ICS for Initial Response" as a prerequisite
   • All other personnel can use the IS-200 (online version) to satisfy this requirement. However it is strongly recommended that all personnel take the classroom version instead of the online version.
3. IS-700 - An Introduction to the National Incident Management System
4. IS-800 - National Response Framework, An Introduction

NOTE: ICS-200 (classroom version) is required to satisfy the prerequisite requirement for the advanced training courses. Personnel who completed the IS-200 (online version) will be required to take the classroom ICS-200 prior to enrolling in the advanced training courses.

                           

MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS & SUGGESTED OPTIONAL TRAINING FOR MEMBER SQUADS

September 17, 2017

 

• GENERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR ALL CLASSIFICATIONS:

Member Squads are required to meet all the requirements as established under Federal / State / County / Municipal laws applicable to the pre-hospital care environment. All EMTS are required to take Developmental Disabilities. NJLEARN email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call helpdesk 888-463-0252. It is recommended that all other first responders with patient contact take the Development Disabilities. You can access the class online (without the need for log in credentials) by going to NJEMS.RUTGERS.EDU. Once on this site scroll down the left column to "Information & Resources", click there. This will bring you to a link to take the non-credit version of the class

• CREW CONFIGURATION: It is strongly advised that the minimum ambulance crew should be staffed by two EMT’s. (One shall meet the driver requirements). Emergency Care Responders shall be under the direction of a non-provisional EMT. All patient care shall be under the direction of a non-provisional EMT. All certifications shall be current.

• The minimum Required Standards and Suggested Optional Training for the category of Driver and Emergency Care Responder shall be used if a Squad so desires to have these categories as part of their Operational Procedures.

NIMS COMPLIANCE Please see update in report

DRIVER MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS

• Valid driver’s license
• Acceptable driving record (per squad insurance co.)
• National Safety Council’s Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (C.E.V.O.)

or

• Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (E.V.O.C.)

or

• Any equivalent driving program approved by the NJSFAC, or those programs required by squad insurance companies.

• Ambulance and equipment familiarization in house
• CPR certification to the level of the professional rescuer or health care provider as determined by the DOH. Check njems.us for list of accepted courses.

• All DOH approved CPR agencies provide two year certifications. It is the NJSFAC policy that its member squads document their CPR skills annually on a local level.

SUGGESTED OPTIONAL TRAINING

• Outdoor Emergency Care Certification (National Ski Patrol)

or

• Brady or Jones & Bartlett Emergency Medical Responder Certification (EMR)

or

• Any equivalent EMR program approved by the NJSFAC

 

EMERGENCY CARE RESPONDER MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS

• Acceptable driving record (per squad's insurance co.)
• Ambulance and equipment familiarization in house
• CPR certification to the level of the professional rescuer or healthcare provide as determined by the DOH. Check njems.us for list of accepted courses.

• All DOH approved CPR agencies provide two year certification. It is the NJSFAC policy that its member squads document their CPR skills annually on a local level.

SUGGESTED TO BE COMPLETED IN ONE YEAR:

• Outdoor Emergency Care Certification (National Ski Patrol)

or

• Brady or Jones & Bartlett Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) certification

or

• Any equivalent EMR program approved by the NJSFAC

 

E.M.T. MINIMUM REQUIRED STANDARDS

• N.J.D.O.H. / National Registry or EMT certification from states recognized by NJDOH
• CPR certification to the level of the professional rescuer or healthcare provider determined by the DOH. Check njems.us for list of accepted courses.
• All DOH approved CPR agencies provide two-year certifications. It is the NJSFAC policy that its member squads document their CPR skills annually on a local level.
• Ambulance and equipment familiarization in house

SUGGESTED OPTIONAL TRAINING

• National Safety Council’s Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operator (C.E.V.O.)

or

• Emergency Vehicle Operator Course (E.V.O.C)

or

• Any equivalent driving program approved by the NJSFAC or those programs required by squad insurance companies

• Valid driver’s license
• Acceptable driving record (per squad insurance co.)
• Leadership management training

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS CLASS C MEMBERSHIP

The minimum training requirements for becoming a Class “C” member rendering aid of Emergency Medical Care are as follows:

• Standard First Aid, PADI (Professional Association of Diving Instructors)
• CPR certification to the level of the professional rescuer or healthcare provider as determined by the DOH. Check njems.us for list of accepted courses.
• All DOH approved CPR agencies provide two-year certifications. It is the NJSFAC policy that its member squads document their CPR skills annual on a local level.
• Certified training in an area of their expertise (if applicable): Heavy Rescue to include Rescue Procedures; Gas & Electric Emergencies; Rescue Extrication - Truck, train and bus accidents, aircraft; ropes & knots; lifts, lowers and rappelling; self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA); collapsed structures; trench rescue; hazardous materials awareness; underwater rescue to include –national divers certification (NAUI, PADI, or YMCA etc.); water rescue to include – Boat safety program as conducted by NJ State Police, US Coast Guard or American Red CrossIt is the policy of the Class C unit to respond to the scene without EMS, then there should be someone on the crew trained to the level of:

• NJDOH/ National Registry or EMT certification from states recognizes by NJDOH

• Brady or Jones & Bartlett Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)
• Other equivalent EMR program approved by the NJSFAC

PEOSHA/OSHA Requirements

N.J.S.A. 34:6A-25, et seq., New Jersey Public Employees” Occupational Safety and Health Act

*That it is the policy of this State to ensure that all public employees be provided with safe and healthful work environments free from recognized hazards.

*That it is the responsibility of the State to promulgate standards for the protection of the health and safety of its public workforce, and

*That it is in the public interest for public employers and public employees to join in a cooperative effort to enforce these standards

The New Jersey Administrative Code at N.J.A.C. 12:100 establishes the Safety and Health Standards for Public Employees, including adopting by reference the applicable OSHA Standards of 29CFR1910, General Industry Standards, and; 29CFR1926 Construction Industry Standards.

Homeland Security Presidential Directives # 5 and # 8 established the National Incident Management System and requires standardized Incident Command System training nationwide.

New Jersey Executive Order #50 of Governor Codey requires implementation of the National Incident Management System (NIMS) in New Jersey and establishes dates by which ICS training must be completed by various levels of responders.

New Jersey Executive Order #5 of Governor Corzine establishes the New Jersey Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness as a cabinet level function. The Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness is designated as the agency to implement NIMS and develop standardized training for first responders.

The National Response Plan provides for a Worker Safety and Health Annex under Emergency Support Function # 8, which designated Federal OSHA as the lead agency in events of National Significance or as directed by the President. States may call upon Federal OSHA to coordinate Health and Safety activities at an event or incidents as they deem necessary.

The above Statutes, Regulations, Directives and Orders require that first responders be trained to certain levels depending on the function that they will be performing. Therefore, training required by first responders is based on function and hazard. Typically, PEOSH will check to see if first responders have met the following

 

OSHA/PEOSHA Standards as well as the training required by NIMS.

29 CFR 1910. Subpart I – Personal Protective Equipment

Training shall be provided to each employee who is required by this Subpart I to use PPE. Each employee shall be trained to know at least the following:

n When PPE is necessary

n What PPE is necessary

n How to properly don, doff, adjust and wear PPE

n The limitations of the PPE

n The proper care, maintenance, useful life and disposal of PPE

Each employee shall demonstrate an understanding of the training and before being allowed to perform work requiring the use of PPE. the ability to use PPE properly, The employer shall retrain any employee who it is determined that did not demonstrate an understanding of the training or ability to use PPE properly.

PEOSHA/OSHA Requirements

Circumstances where retraining is required include but are not limited to:

n Changes in the workplace render previous training obsolete

n Changes in the types of PPE to be used render previous changes obsolete

n Inadequacies in an affected employee’s knowledge or use of assigned PPE indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite understanding or skill. The employer shall verify that each affected employee has received and understood the required training through a written certification that contains the name of each employee trained, the date(s) of the training and that it identifies the subject of the certification.

29 CFR 1910.1030, Blood borne Pathogens.

Initial Training prior to actually responding to emergencies. Refresher Training Annually including question and answer period.

Training on new equipment, new processes, or identification of additional hazards.

Ø 20 CFR 1910.1200, Hazard communications Initial Training prior to responding to emergencies. When new physical or health hazards are introduced into their work.

Refresher training every two years. Training must include information regarding the applicable provisions of the Worker and Community Right to Know Act, N.J.S.A. 34:5A-1. (Separate Right to Know Training is no longer required.)

Ø 29 CFR 1910.134 Respiratory protection.

Training must be provided to all who may be required to use respirators. Training must be comprehensive, understandable and recur annually and more often if necessary. Competencies to be achieved are contained in the standard. NOTE: N95 masks are considered respirators under the standard.

Ø 29 CFR 1910.120 Hazardous waste operations and emergency response.

Training must be provided to all who may be required to respond to a hazardous materials incident. Those operating in cold zone must have Hazardous Materials Awareness training. Responders entering warm or hot zones must have adequate training, including respiratory protection and personal protective equipment. Refresher training required annually. Annual refresher training include refresher updates for CBRN.

Ø Specialized training in OSHA/PEOSHA Standards may be required depending on the function performed.

These include but are not limited to:

n Trench Rescue 29 CFR 1926. Subpart P - Excavations

n Structural Collapse 29 CFR 1926 Subpart L - Scaffolds

n Highway Accidents 29 CFR 1926 Subpart G - Signs, Signals and Barricades or USDOT Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices.

n High Angle and Technical Rescue 29 CFR 1926 Subpart M - Fall protection.

n Confined Space Rescue 29 CFR 1910.146 Permit-required confined space.

n Heavy Rescue - 29 CFR 1910.147 The control of hazardous energy (lockout/tagout)