JACKSON HOLE, WYO – Jackson Hole Fire/EMS is celebrating the recent graduation of two paramedic students, Henry Cadwalader and Austin Sessions. Both are full-time firefighters with the department who have spent the last 16 months completing pre-requisites and 1,500 hours of paramedic course work, culminating in National and Wyoming paramedic licensure.
The rural nature of this area often makes gaining higher education challenging. Henry and Austin benefited from pre-requisite courses offered through Central Wyoming College, as well as the formal paramedic program offered to rural areas through Weber State University’s distance program.
The Weber State program consisted of participation in a live video class two nights a week for six months, followed by completion of clinical rotations. This clinical time involved over 240 hours of practical skills at Utah hospitals followed by 480 hours of field internships with paramedic preceptors in both Logan, UT, and here in Jackson.
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS firefighter/paramedics provide a wide variety of services on a daily basis to community members and visitors. Firefighter/paramedics must be able to solve problems and think on their feet while maintaining their composure during extremely stressful situations.
Despite their intense line of work, firefighter/paramedics are also caring and compassionate patient advocates. Whether responding to a vehicle crash on the highway, a structure fire, or a call for medical assistance in a home, every person who calls 911 expects the responders to have the highest level of training and expertise possible.
Jackson Hole Fire/EMS would also like to express appreciation to the Community Foundation of Jackson Hole for providing grant assistance for the paramedic training through their Competitive Grant Program.
“We are all excited to have Henry and Austin join our 11 existing firefighter/paramedics in providing excellent emergency patient care to our community,” said Chief Brady Hansen. “Their paramedic skills will undoubtedly contribute to saving lives, particularly in the outlying areas of our community, where transport times can be lengthy.”
