Training and Engagement in Your College and Community

We know, and hopefully all agree, that training is vital to aquiring and maintaining EMT skills. But all-to-often I notice squad training just internally, or perhaps with just the fire department in their town, etc. So I wanted to put together a list, and invite others to add to it, of departments that may exist within your college, or municipal/private services in the community, that are groups to consider training with. You will notice that I have also tagged this post as "public relations," because training with other departments will almost certinally enhance their view and opinion of your group.

• College Health Service
• If you have one, this is where your Medical Direction may be from,  and also where you probably bring a large amount of patients. Knowing what they expect from you and learning how you can assist them once you transfer care of a patient to them is key.
• College Security/Police
• You already work closely with them probably, if they are your dispatch, but training alongside their offices to make working together on scenes more smoothly.
• Municipal/Private Ambulance Serving Your Community
• If you are a transporting agency, this may be you, but there is always your municipal aid providers that are good to train with, especially so you learn each other's capabilities.
•  College Environmental Health and Safety
• At many colleges, this department does both Hazmat response, safety training (blood borne pathogens, fire extinguisher, etc). Additionally, they are often involved in the emergency planning, which is something you want to work with them on to make sure your group is included in a reasonable way.
• Municipal Police
• Although depending on your school's relation with the town police, it may not always seem like you are on the same side, they do provide valuable training opportunities. My squad recently received training through the police department from a Drug Recognition Expert, an officer specially trained to use physiological signs to determine the class of drugs in an individual. This can be helpful, when combined with your standard patient care, to better understand the patient's position.

Do you have more ideas? Please leave a comment to share your thoughts and experinces.