SF's EMS Program: Perfect Compliance and Pass Rate

April 5, 2011

A message from Louis Mallory, Associate Director, EMS/Fire Science Programs:

The Emergency Medical Services training programs at Santa Fe College recently received a perfect compliance inspection from the state Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Medical Services.

The Bureau of EMS requires a rigorous compliance inspection of all EMS training programs within the state every two years. The inspection is designed to determine if the training programs operate in accordance with Florida Statute 401 and Administrative Code 64J as well as provide quality Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic training for agencies involved in public safety. There are currently 70 schools offering 175 state-approved initial training programs. In addition, Santa Fe College's program is nationally accredited by the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions.

Although students may graduate from the Paramedic program, they are required to take and pass a State licensing examination before they are allowed to practice their skills in the field. During our recent inspection it was acknowledged by the Bureau that students from Santa Fe College's Paramedic program have a 100 percent pass rate for first-time test takers on the state licensing examination. The state average is 89 percent.