AMA NEWS-HERALD- Emergency Medical Technician training will be offered starting at the end of October for new and current ambulance service members in Tama County and central Iowa. Others seeking the training may also participate.

Tama Ambulance Service Paramedic Don Weitzell will team up with Toledo Ambulance Service Director and Paramedic Greg Johnson to teach the six-month long course.

Class will be on Monday and Wednesday evenings with various sessions to be at the Tama or Toledo Ambulance Service buildings.

The course is open to all persons. It is required participants be at least 17-years-old. Those completing the course are required to be at least 18-years-old to take the state EMT?test for certification.

In many cases the cost of the course is paid for by the ambulance service which the student serves or plans to serve.

Both Tama and Toledo Ambulance services have been staffed by volunteers since 1972 when they were developed to take the place of area funeral homes who discontinued ambulance operations.

Annual reports show both the Tama and Toledo services average about 600 calls each year.

To learn more contact Don Weitzell – 641-484-2425 or Greg Johnson – 641-484-3580.