By Madison Jones
School is already hard enough for students these days with trying to navigate homework, projects, and on-line team meetings. However, some students and faculty are willing to take on the added pressure of saving lives.
Keith Johnson, the high school athletic trainer, is an advanced Emergency Medical Technician Emergency Medical Service instructor. He is a volunteer firefighter and EMS and Battalion chief for Malvern Fire Company.
He has completed hundreds of hours of training in this field through the Chester Country Department of Emergency Services, some at Good Fellowship Training Institute, and others at training locations across the US. His gained knowledge and expertise not only help him while in emergency situations, but also when dealing with sports injuries.
Junior Dalton Lotz is also an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). He is a volunteer at East Whiteland Fire Company, Malvern Fire Company, Good Fellowship Ambulance Club, and Goodwill Fire Company.
He received his first certification at an Emergency Medical Responder course when he was 14 years old. Since then, he received his EMS certification with the Octorara Homeland Security and Protective Services Academy, a three-year TCHS like course prepares cadets for careers in law enforcement, corrections, pre-hospital emergency medical care, emergency management, military services, and firefighting. The program helps students get jobs right out of high school.
“I will continue my training until I am old and ready to retire, because no one will ever be ready for any situation,” said Lotz.
Lotz recognizes that life as an EMT is full of rewards. However, being a member of a fire company is a commitment and sometimes it is difficult to juggle his schoolwork with the fire company activities. Lotz has made the commitment because it is in his blood.
For Lotz, becoming a first responder is “like a family business.” Currently, his father and brother, like him are first responders. At one point, his mother and even his grandparents heeded the call.
Lotz volunteers at several places. “I’m in a unique situation, I am actually a member of multiple Fire/EMS departments, including East Whiteland Fire Company, Malvern Fire Company, Good Fellowship Ambulance Club, Goodwill Fire Company,” said Lotz.
In the state of Pennsylvania, one must be at least 16 to earn an EMT certificate, though one can begin training at 15. For any advanced training and certificates, one must be at least 18, that includes participating in a fire training course. There are several locations locally that provide training, such as Good Fellowship Training Institute, Emergency Training Academy, Ems, and Drexel University EMS Training.