Firefighter Tyler DeVoe recently received notification that he passed all requirements to be certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, after a rigorous non-traditional course paid fully by KVFD.

Tyler said, "I started EMT class right before Christmas at Emergency Training Associates. The class was all self-study book work, followed by a 50 hour week of skills."

He further described it,"I read through each chapter of the book, and then completed several training exercises and a quiz at the end of each one online. There were a total of forty chapters, and it took me about 3 hours to complete each one."

"At the end of the book, I took a final, 100 question exam. Then over spring break, while every other college student was at the beach or on vacation, I spent the week in class, learning and practicing skills. At the end of the week, I took an in-class skills evaluation. Then, I proceeded to national psychomotor (skills) testing and passed on the first attempt. It consisted of 7 skills sessions ranging from BLS resuscitation, to splinting and bleeding control. I then took a written test at a Pearson Vue Testing Center in Lancaster, and passed on the first attempt."

Throughout this period we would find Tyler serving as an aid on the ambulance to gain practical experience.

Tyler said, "I spent every spare minute between classes reading and studying, and every evening as well. Balancing EMT class with a 19-credit college workload wasn't easy. I originally joined the Parkesburg Fire Company, now KVFD, with the intent of being a firefighter only, but quickly became hooked after aiding on a heroin overdose. Watching a person regain life is incredible, and I have a passion for helping others. My father is an ambulance driver, and you can find the two of us serving on Ambulance 8 together.

Chief Raymond Stackhouse said,"Tyler demonstrates the passion to learn and serve the community, that so many at KVFD show. You could see that passion in his eyes since his first day at the firehouse. We are proud to have him on our team."