Mohave Today

Chandler Fire Department's paramedic program has achieved accreditation from the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) and the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). This accreditation signifies that the program meets the high standards of educational excellence required in the training of future paramedics.

Fire Chief Tom Dwiggins expressed pride in the department's accomplishment, stating, "The accreditation process encompassed over two years of work by the Chandler Fire Department. It required constructing classes to meet national standards, running two programs as proof of meeting those standards, and multiple meetings with industry professionals to ensure compliance at the highest level."

Dr. Joshua Zeidler, Chandler Fire Department's Medical Director at Chandler Regional Medical Center, highlighted the significance of this achievement, saying, "Achieving accreditation from CoAEMSP/CAAHEP demonstrates that we are able to meet the high standards of educational excellence that is needed in the training of future paramedics. The Chandler Fire Paramedic Training program is the first fire-based program in the East Valley and second in the state to achieve this designation."

The accreditation is not only a testament to the program's commitment to quality education but also addresses the current workforce shortage of paramedics. Zeidler emphasized that the program will help ensure the provision of trained paramedics to support the mission of service to the residents of Chandler and neighboring communities.

Accreditation ensures that paramedic education programs adhere to specific standards of quality and cover a comprehensive curriculum with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. This accreditation adds credibility to the Chandler Fire Department and the paramedic professionals it produces. It also ensures that the program remains current, relevant, and responsive to changes in emergency medical services.

Chandler Fire Department responds to a significant number of emergency medical service calls, accounting for 80% of the department's total call volume in 2023. With such a high call volume, it is crucial to have highly trained and competent paramedics who can provide the highest level of care and professionalism to Chandler residents.

The Chandler Fire Department Paramedic Program involves over 1300 hours of training and education, including classroom lectures, laboratory skills, practical scenarios, distance learning, clinical hours in a hospital setting, field experience, and a "capstone project" in the field. The program also offers an educational service agreement with the Maricopa County Community College District, allowing students to earn over 40 hours of college credit toward an associate degree.

Upon completion of the program, graduates become credentialed in various life support certifications, including Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support, Pediatric Life Support, Neonatal Resuscitation Provider, Pediatric Emergencies for Prehospital Professionals, Prehospital Trauma Life Support, and the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Paramedic.

The Chandler Fire Department's paramedic program has a 100% pass rate for the NREMT-P Exam, further demonstrating the program's commitment to producing highly qualified paramedics.

With this accreditation, the Chandler Fire Department is equipped to meet the growing need for paramedics in Chandler and surrounding cities without relying on external educational institutions. This achievement solidifies the department's commitment to providing exceptional emergency medical services to the community.

Overall, the accreditation of Chandler Fire Department's paramedic program by the CAAHEP and CoAEMSP is a significant milestone that highlights the department's dedication to excellence in paramedic education and its commitment to serving the residents of Chandler and neighboring communities.