FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        April 5, 2007               

ESD-02-07

HONOLULU EMERGENCY SERVICES DEPARTMENT GEARING UP FOR 3rd ANNUAL JUNIOR PARAMEDIC PROGRAM 

          The Emergency Medical Services Division of the Honolulu Emergency Services Department will offer its innovative Junior Paramedic program for the third consecutive year this summer.

          Enrollment in the four-week program is being expanded to 40 students because of growing demand.

 “The Junior Paramedic program provides students a unique opportunity to take a hands-on approach and be directly involved in the lifesaving process,” said Dr. Elizabeth Char, City Emergency Services director. “There aren’t many opportunities like this which allow students to get an up close view of the actual emergency response process and the day-to-day duties of our paramedics.”

Under the direction of veteran paramedic Ian Santee, students learn through classroom instruction as well as field trips that include direct interaction with actual paramedics, emergency medical technicians and other first responders.

 The free program runs from June 18 to July 13. Classes are held weekdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The program is only open to students 14 to 17 years old, who have completed their freshman year of high school and have not yet graduated from high school. To apply, contact Santee, the Junior Paramedic program director, at 285-7044.

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Media contact:

Bryan Cheplic, HESD public information officer, 723-7814