Ep 30. NAEMT Radio - EMS Apprenticeship Programs

We reach a milestone as we arrive at Episode 30 of the NAEMT Radio Podcast! Joining us for this edition is Henry Lewis, Executive Director of the South Carolina EMS Association and Lieutenant Joseph Coley, of Tazewell EMS, VA.  The topic of discussion with host, Rob Lawrence, is EMS Apprenticeship programs, where funding, start up, candidate selection and results are discussed.  Henry describes the programs and resources leveraged across the whole of South Carolina.  These include scholarships, apprenticeship, and rural health tuition assistance programs. Joseph describes the actions of his own department to essentially offer an earn while you learn program to increase his staffing numbers.

Resources

1. Also discussed in this podcast, is the work of the NAEMT Workforce Development Committee and the comprehensive resource guide they offer via Workforce Development (naemt.org) Content within the guide is shared by EMS agencies, associations and organizations and highlight how they are promoting interest of the EMS profession, recruiting new EMTs and Paramedics, and engaging and retaining their current workforce. If your agency or organization would like to share its solution(s), please send to EMSWorkforce@naemt.orgfor the NAEMT EMS Workforce Committee to consider posting.
2. Statewide technical college scholarship program designed to address workforce shortages in South Carolina: SC EMS Association - EMS Program Assistance

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Guests

Henry Lewis

Henry Lewis began his career in emergency services with a small, volunteer fire department in South Carolina in 1999. He quickly transitioned to the local EMS agency and gained his paramedic license in 2003, which he still maintains. As a career EMS professional, Henry has worked across all aspects of EMS to include governmental, private industry, hospital-based services, and EMS education. He served as the State EMS Coordinator for the state EMS office and in administration for the state’s largest 911 provider before transitioning to become the South Carolina EMS Association’s first Executive Director in 2021. As a working student, Henry earned his BA in Emergency Management and master’s in healthcare administration from Columbia College with honors.

Joseph Coley

Joseph Coley is a Nationally Registered NR paramedic in rural South West Virginia. He works as a Lieutenant for the Town of Tazewell EMS. Joseph has worked in EMS for 26 years now and serves with NAEMT as the advocacy coordinator for Virginia, as well as serving on the NAEMT EMS workforce committee. Joseph is married with 2 girls.