I read with much interest the article written by Luke Broadwater, "Lack of EMTs a costly burden" (Feb. 13), in which he chronicles the shortage of EMTs in the city and the resulting need to provide $1.9 million in overtime to address the personnel shortfall. As a member of the Local Advisory Council for Career and Technology for the Baltimore City Public Schools, I am pleased to announce that Baltimore City Schools, in cooperation with the Baltimore Fire Department, is taking steps to address the shortage.
Baltimore City Public Schools' Office of Career and Technology Education (CTE) is currently implementing an EMT B Program at Dunbar High School, Patterson High School and the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy. The courses are taught by CTE instructors who are certified through the Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute (MFRI). Furthermore, in its second year of implementation at Frederick Douglass Senior High School is the Maryland State Department of Education's Fire Science: Maryland Fire and Rescue Institute, which was developed through a partnership between the Fire Department and the City Schools. The Fire Rescue Program at the Vivien T. Thomas Medical Arts Academy will provide EMT instruction to seniors during the 2015-16 school year. All classes are taught by Fire Department personnel.
The Baltimore City Fire Department has been very proactive in understanding the importance of developing a pipeline of firefighters and EMT/paramedics from the city schools. The importance of this program is crucial to Baltimore City and the state of Maryland, which underscores our efforts in Annapolis to ensure the full funding of the Baltimore City schools' budget.
Sen. Nathaniel McFadden, Annapolis
The writer, a Democrat, represents the 45th Legislative District.