The Shafter Press - Serving the community since 1922

Hall Ambulance has an open recruitment period going for their next EMT academy, which begins on Sept. 20.

The Academy prepares individuals in under 10 weeks to start working in the Hall Ambulance 9-1-1 system as an emergency medical technician. An EMT works on the front line of emergency medical services as a first responder, attending to patients and providing safe transport to the hospital.

The academy has training from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at the Harvey L. Hall EMS Academy, a state-of-the-art training facility.

There are weekly lectures supplemented with hands-on exercises, assessment training, quizzes and exams.

The academy was established in 2001 and since then, it has helped hundreds of people jump-start their careers in the emergency medical services field. Graduates can start a new career earning around $41,000 per year. In addition, according to Mark Corum, director of media services, several graduates have gone on to receive certifications at the Hall Paramedic Academy, which increases their annual salary to about $61,000 per year, plus benefits.

"The company provides a tremendous career path for those EMTs wanting to progress their careers by applying for scholarships into the Hall Academy Paramedic Academy," said Corum.

"Today, several alumni have advanced, becoming paramedics, field supervisors, and even management team members."

The minimum qualifications for the Hall EMT Academy is a high school diploma or GED, a valid driver's license, be at least 20 years of age and have a good driving record.

Participants must be available to work all assigned shifts, which may include nights and weekends, and must be able to lift objects up to 75 pounds.

More information is available at hallambcareers.com/emtacademy.