In a groundbreaking initiative, the Iola Fire Department recently concluded its inaugural Firefighter/EMT Academy, marking a significant stride towards addressing the shortage of qualified emergency personnel. Fire Chief Corey Isbell attributes the success of the eight-week program to a singular factor – “teamwork.”
Beginning on Aug. 21, the academy sought to train applicants in the fundamentals of firefighting and emergency medical techniques. More notably, it aimed to overcome a persistent hurdle in recruiting qualified individuals by providing training within the city, eliminating the need for pre-existing qualifications for employment.
Isbell emphasized the pivotal role played by the city of Iola in bringing this program to fruition. “The city administration’s question to me was ‘why don’t we try to teach our own?’ So, from there, we took it and ran with it,” Isbell said. He also acknowledged the support of the city council and staff, noting that the success of the academy was a collaborative effort.
Isbell praised Instructor Coordinator Andy Hill for his contributions, stating, “He was a huge asset on the EMT side. He was the one who did a lot of teaching and instructing with the EMT course.” Hill went through special training to become an Instructor Coordinator specifically to help with the academy.
Of the initial 21 applicants who expressed interest, six enrolled, and five successfully completed the training. “Four of them have completed and passed the state testing,” Isbell added.
Among the new recruits are Casy Weast and Sarah Heisler, both of whom expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the academy. Weast, acknowledging the intensity of the training, stated, “You actually have to learn a lot more than I anticipated coming into this.” Heisler, with a background in medical experience, noted, “We learned a lot and are still learning.”
Funding for the academy and the instructional material comes from a FEMA grant. Those who complete the academy are required to stay with the city for two years, or they have to reimburse the city for the cost of the training.
Isbell said he would like to see this be a recurring program, but the department has a nearly full staff currently. He added, however, there is still a need for three paramedics. ”That’s something you can’t just teach,” he said. “Paramedics are hard to come by right now. It’s a nationwide shortage. Everybody is struggling with it.” He noted, however, that the department’s wages are competitive with surrounding areas.
