HUDSON, OH (August 3, 2023) – Founded in 1977 by Hudson residents who felt the need for a local ambulance service, Hudson EMS has evolved into one of the best, most highly trained safety forces, in the State of Ohio. Today, Hudson EMS has 13 volunteer Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics, 31 part-time Paramedics (5 more in the hiring process), 4 full-time Paramedics, and 1 Executive Assistant who respond to the more than 2,500 emergency calls each year. In addition, Hudson EMS employs a Medical Director who answers many of the calls, something most other EMS services don’t have.
All Hudson Paramedics and EMTs (paid or volunteer) are nationally and/or state certified. Paramedic certification requires approximately 900 hours of training, and EMT certification requires 180 hours. EMT and Medic certifications combine to equal 36 college credit hours, sometimes more depending on the school.
All Paramedics and EMTs, whether paid or volunteer, must pass the certification test and be fully certified to be a member of Hudson EMS. This is the same certification that is required by other municipalities with full-time paid personnel. In fact, many of the Hudson Medics work for other local municipalities.
Hudson is one of the few municipalities that has its own EMT certification course. In partnership with Kent State University, the Hudson EMT training class is held twice a year and is one of the highest rated EMT courses in the State of Ohio. EMTs graduate from the Hudson course with both a National and State of Ohio EMT Certification.
After the initial certification process, Paramedics and EMTs must take continuing education courses totaling over 80 hours for medics and over 30 hours for EMTs to be recertified every two or three years. The total hours and certification period depend on whether they have national or state certification, or both.
“The compassion and dedication of our members is what I believe is the best part of our service,” said Scott Vargo, Assistant EMS Chief. “Our EMS members are here because they love and believe in what they do, whether paid or volunteer. For everyone at EMS, it’s not about the paycheck, but about serving the community with the best care we can provide.”