Position Overview
An emergency response technician is hired by organizations (both government and private) that provide emergency services in cases of accidents, fires, gas spills, and medical crises – amongst other situations.
These people are trained to provide on the spot services to ensure the wellbeing of people involved in such catastrophes.
Educational and Experience Requirements
A high school diploma (or a GED equivalent) along with a certification in a medical emergency capacity is required to work as an emergency response technician. You must have some experience working in a similar capacity if you want to apply for this position.
Skills Requirements
Hazard recognition skills, the ability to assess risk, and exceptional problem solving skills are prerequisites of working as an emergency response technician. Furthermore, it is imperative for people hoping to work at this position to be great communicators, and possess the ability to handle adverse situations with tact and skill. Many emergency response technicians are hired primarily because of their ability to handle pressure, and work towards their one goal – which is to make sure that human life is preserved and saved.
If your aim is to work as an emergency response technician, it is important for you to possess nerves of steel, and demonstrated expertise in handling rescue missions.
Emergency Response Technician Duties and Responsibilities
• Maintain effective liaison with dispatchers to obtain emergency response dispatching information.
• Respond to both emergency and non-emergency calls, by exercising calm, efficiency and promptness.
• Administer life support to patients at the scene according to protocol, and on the way to the hospital.
• Assess the nature and type of injury or illness, aimed at establishing and prioritizing medical procedures that need to be followed for each situation.
• Rescue and extricate victims of accidents and sudden illnesses using appropriate rescue and medical techniques.
• Create and maintain a clear line of communication with professional medical personnel and treatment facilities, to obtain instructions regarding further treatment options.
• Ascertain that proper order is maintained at emergency scenes, by disbursing crowds and restraining it when required.
• Perform both rope and confined space rescues, placing special focus on the wellbeing and safety of the people rescued.
• Perform both CPR and First Aid on victims and patients, to keep their conditions stable until they are transported to hospitals.
• Monitor, inspect and maintain emergency response equipment, ensuring that it is in good working order.
• Create and maintain files and records of all rescue missions, in a safe and confidential manner, and in accordance with facility protocols.