We hold Emergency Medical Only positions for those that want to serve solely in patient care. As an emergency medical practitioner you’ll be at the forefront of providing life saving-critical care to stabilize victims for transport to the hospital. Being a first responder requires courage, compassion, and quick thinking.
The Ralston Fire and Rescue Department program will supply you with everything you need to become certified and proficient. We host in-house Continuing Education training hours brought to you by RFD’s very own instructors, as well as invitationals from professionals in various fields of medical expertise.
Additional training certifications include: CPR, blood borne pathogen, and phlebotomy.
Note Current Emergency Medical Technicians: Applicants who currently hold an EMT certification and have at least 6 months prior experience on a department or service within the last 2 years will be brought on the department as a Probationary Member anytime during the year at the business meeting (second Tuesday) following successful completion of the application and testing process (deadlines March & September).
Becoming An Emergency Medical Responder and what to expect?
Probationary members have a task book with skill competencies listed in every aspect of emergency medical procedures related to their level of licensing. Basic Life Support (BLS) focuses on essential interventions to sustain life in emergency situations. Advanced Life Support (ALS) provides a higher level of medical care with additional interventions and procedures to manage more complex situations. The three primary levels of EMS are:
Paramedic – highest level field life support: advanced airway, IV therapy, drug administration, cardiac monitoring, specific defibrillation + all of AEMT skills
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) – basic emergency airway, oxygen therapy, bleed control, cardiopulmonary resuscitation, and auto-defibrillation
Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) – advanced life support: intravenous (IV), cardiac rhythms, defibrillation, intubation + all of EMT skills
The Ralston Fire and Rescue Department partners with local colleges to offer course and license certification opportunities. If you’re interested or have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out using our Contact Form.
Primary milestones include:
- Complete an Emergency Medical Technician Basic course and hold a Nebraska State Level License
- Hold a Current Valid CPR Basic Life Support Provider Card
- Knowledge of RFD’s EMS Protocols/Guidelines
- Lead five EMS Calls with Medical Director review approval
- Complete & Pass the Squad Driver Operations & Map Training
- EMS Patient Care Reporting Procedures
- License & Certification Renewal Procedures
- Complete all required Online NIMS/ICS FEMA Courses (Incident Command)
- Demonstrate Knowledge of Current Standard Operating Guidelines
- Cleared Apparatus Operations along with Safe Emergent/Non Emergent Driving
- Overall Maintenance & Maintenance Procedures of Equipment
- Station Maintenance & Procedures
- Knowledge of Department’s Organization By-Laws
- Completion of Probationary Member Packet (task book)
- Successfully complete both Practical & Written Year End Test
Ralston Emergency Medical members annual requirements consist of 40 hours documented training each fiscal year (20 hr in-house and 20 hr elsewhere). Monthly requirements include 40 volunteer standby hours clocked at the station or a minimum of 10% call volume. Our utilities are maintained by Back-Line Officers and chores assigned to probationary members weekly.
Physical Fitness
EMS personnel must pass yearly agility testing to be cleared for duty. Responding to medical calls can be a physically demanding job and we’re here to support our members in all aspects of personal growth. Our proactive approach entails a Fitness Committee for support as well as an open-free use Fitness Facility. All RVFD members with their family and friends are free to use the facility accompanied.
The EMS Agility Test includes a series of context-related activity to test the individual’s overall dexterity in necessary actions at an incident. The process includes Stretcher lifts and hauling, as well as Stair-Chair form ascending and descending stairs:
“EMS Strong, Always in Service.”
View Ralston’s EMS Week Proclamation
RALSTON FIRE & RESCUE DEPARTMENT 
