202 KAR 7:201. First responders

      Section 1. First Responder Student Eligibility. (1) Individuals shall be eligible to enroll as a student in a first responder training program if the applicant:

      (a) Is at least fifteen (15) years of age; and

      (b)1. Is currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0; or

      2. Holds a high school diploma or GED.

      (2) The student applicant shall:

      (a) Understand, read, speak, and write the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the ninth grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

      (b) Not currently be subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A that would prevent certification; and

      (c) Meet all additional requirements established by the EMS-TEI.

 

      Section 2. Certification Requirements. (1) Individuals desiring initial certification as a first responder shall:

      (a) Meet all of the requirements of Section 1 of this administrative regulation;

      (b) Be at least sixteen (16) years of age;

      (c) Be currently enrolled as a student in grades 9-12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0 or hold a high school diploma or GED;

      (d) Successfully complete a training program which conforms to the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1995 National Standard Curriculum, NREMT-FR as the curriculum for education, which shall not be satisfied by the completion of refresher or transition courses alone;

      (e) Obtain NREMT's registration as an NREMT-FR;

      (f) Submit a completed and signed "First Responder Initial Certification Application";

      (g) Present written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

      (h) Pay the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030; and

      (i) Present written evidence of completion of current training in CPR that:

      1. Shall be taught by an individual who holds instructor certification at an appropriate level from:

      a. The American Red Cross;

      b. The AHA;

      c. The National Safety Council;

      d. The ASHI; or

      e. Another board approved organization; and

      2. Shall provide instruction and testing in:

      a. One (1) rescuer CPR;

      b. Two (2) rescuer CPR;

      c. Techniques of changing from one (1) to two (2) rescuers during the performance of CPR;

      d. Techniques of changing rescuers during the performance of two (2) rescuer CPR;

      e. Techniques for relief of obstruction of the airway;

      f. CPR of infants and small children;

      g. Barrier-to-mouth, barrier-to-nose, or barrier-to-stoma resuscitation for adults, small children, and infants;

      h. Use of oral and nasal airways;

      i. Use of bag-valve-mask or other ventilation device;

      j. Use of supplemental oxygen; and

      k. Use and operation of an AED.

      (2) An applicant for certification as a first responder shall successfully complete all NREMT testing and become Kentucky certified within two (2) years after the completion date of the first responder course.

 

      Section 3. Recertification and Continuing Education Requirements. (1) A first responder shall be eligible for recertification if:

      (a) The applicant submits a signed and completed "Universal Application for Recertification/Relicensure";

      (b) The applicant maintains written evidence of current completion of training in CPR meeting the requirements as outlined in Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

      (c) The applicant maintains written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

      (d) The applicant pays the fee established in 202 KAR 7:030; and

      (e) The applicant maintains evidence of either:

      1. Current registration by the NREMT as an NREMT-FR; or

      2. Successful completion of continuing education that:

      a. Includes seventeen (17) contact hours of continuing education, of which:

      (i) One (1) shall be in disaster management or mass casualty incidents; and

      (ii) Two (2) may be in HIV/AIDS; and

      b. Shall be validated by:

      (i) The instructor, medical director, training officer, course coordinator, or provider of the continuing education offering; or

      (ii) A medical director, service director, or training officer of the first responder’s ambulance service, first response agency, fire department, or rescue squad.

      (2) An application for recertification shall be denied if:

      (a) Prior to the certification expiration date, the first responder applicant has not met the applicable requirements of Section 3 of this administrative regulation; or

      (b) Applicant has been subjected to disciplinary action that prevents recertification at the time of application.

      (3) A first responder, in good standing, who is a member of a National Guard or a military reserve unit who is called to active duty by presidential order pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 121 and 673b, may be given a one (1) year extension following release from active duty to meet the applicable requirements for recertification listed in this Administrative Regulation. The first responder shall submit a written request for this extension within sixty (60) days of release from active duty.

      (4) The KBEMS office may audit a first responder’s continuing education and continuing education records.

      (5) The first responder shall maintain documentation of all continuing education for four (4) years from the date of completion.

 

      Section 4. First Responder Reciprocity. (1) A person certified in another state or territory of the United States or member of the United States military who is registered by the NREMT as an NREMT-FR shall be eligible for direct reciprocity for initial Kentucky certification as a first responder if the individual:

      (a) Is at least sixteen (16) years of age;

      (b) Holds current unrestricted registration as a NREMT-FR; and

      (c)1. Is currently enrolled in grades 9-12 with a minimum GPA of 2.0; or

      2. Holds a high school diploma or GED.

      (2) The individual shall:

      (a) Understand, read, speak, and write the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the ninth grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

      (b) Have successfully completed a training program, which utilized the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 1995 National Standard Curriculum, Emergency Medical Technician-First Responder as the curriculum for education if any individual initially certified after January 1, 1986. An earlier edition of the National Standard Curriculum which has been supplemented by the completion of the First Responder Transition Course shall be considered to meet this requirement, which shall not be satisfied by the completion of refresher or transition courses alone;

      (c) Submit a completed and signed "First Responder Initial Certification Application";

      (d) Present written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

      (e) Present written evidence of completion of current training in CPR that meets the requirements of Section 2(1)(i) of this administrative regulation;

      (f) Pay the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030;

      (g) Not have been convicted of, entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or have completed a diversion program for a felony offense; and

      (h) Not have been subjected to discipline that would prevent reciprocity at the time of application.

 

      Section 5. Exemptions from First Responder Administrative Regulations. The Kentucky certification requirements for a first responder shall not apply to:

      (1) United States military personnel or state National Guard employees of the United States government while providing services on a United States government-owned or operated facility, while engaged in the performance of their official duties under federal law, or while providing assistance in mass casualty or disaster type situation; or

      (2) A first responder certified in another state or territory of the United States who:

      (a) Comes into Kentucky to transport a patient from another state into Kentucky; or

      (b) Is transporting a patient through the state of Kentucky to an out-of-Kentucky location.

 

      Section 6. Reinstatement of Certification. (1) A first responder whose certification has lapsed for a period not exceeding five (5) years, may reinstate their certificate by submitting to the board:

      (a) A completed and signed "First Responder Certification Reinstatement Application";

      (b) Written evidence of current completion of training in CPR meeting the requirements as outlined in Section 2(1)(i) of this administrative regulation;

      (c) Written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

      (d) Payment of the fee established in 202 KAR 7:030;

      (e) Evidence of previous certification as a first responder in Kentucky;

      (f) Evidence of successful completion of continuing education within twelve (12) months preceding their application for reinstatement that includes seventeen (17) contact hours of continuing education, of which:

      1. One (1) shall be in disaster management or mass casualty incidents; and

      2. Two (2) may be in HIV/AIDS; and

      (g) Evidence of successful completion of the National Standard Curriculum for EMT-First Responder Refresher Course within twelve (12) months preceding their application for reinstatement or continuing education hours that meet the requirements of the curriculum.

      (2) A first responder, whose certification has lapsed for a period that exceeds five (5) years, may reinstate their certificate by complying with Sections 1 and 2 of this administrative regulation.

      (3) An application for reinstatement of certification shall not be considered if:

      (a) The applicant is subject to disciplinary action pursuant to KRS Chapter 311A;

      (b) The applicant is an individual who has been convicted of, entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or has completed a diversion program for a felony offense; or

      (c) The applicant has been subjected to discipline that would prevent reinstatement at the time of application.

 

      Section 7. Public Notice of Negative Action. The KBEMS office shall cause to be published, in the KBEMS News or similar publication of the board, or otherwise disseminate the name of a first responder that is fined, is placed on probationary status, is placed on a restricted status, is suspended, or has had their certification revoked.

 

      Section 8. Temporary Certificate. (1) KBEMS staff may issue a temporary certificate to an individual who:

      (a) Submits a completed "Application for Temporary Certificate";

      (b) Is at least sixteen (16) years of age;

      (c) Understands, reads, speaks, and writes the English language with a comprehension and performance level equal to at least the 9th grade of education, otherwise known as Level 4, verified by testing as necessary;

      (d) Provides proof of being currently certified or licensed in another state or territory of the United States or is currently registered by the NREMT;

      (e) Presents written evidence of completion of current HIV/AIDS training required by KRS 311A.110;

      (f) Presents written evidence of completion of current training in CPR that meets the requirements of Section 2 of this administrative regulation;

      (g) Pays the fee required by 202 KAR 7:030;

      (h) Provides the board with a copy of a statewide criminal background check from their state of residence;

      (i) Is not an individual who has been convicted of, entered a guilty plea or Alford plea to a felony offense, or has completed a diversion program for a felony offense; and

      (j) Has not been disciplined by or has action pending against or had a certificate or license in the field of health care denied, limited, suspended, or probated by a certifying or licensing entity in Kentucky or other state or territory under the jurisdiction of the United States.

      (2) A temporary certificate may be issued for a period which shall not exceed six (6) months and shall not be reissued or renewed.

 

      Section 9. Incorporation by Reference. (1) The following material is incorporated by reference:

      (a) "First Responder Initial Certification Application" (June 2003);

      (b) "Universal Application for Recertification/Relicensure" (June 2003);

      (c) "First Responder Certification Reinstatement Application" (June 2003); and

      (d) The United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Administration, 1995 National Standard Curriculum, Emergency Medical Technician-First Responder.

                (2) This material may be inspected, obtained, or copied, subject to applicable copyright law, at the Office of the Kentucky Board of Emergency Medical Services, 2545 Lawrenceburg Road, Frankfort, Kentucky 40621, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (30 Ky.R. 147; Am. 915; 1214; 1476; eff. 11-19-2003.)

Notation

      RELATES TO: KRS 311A.010, 311A.025, 311A.030, 311A.060, 311A.095, 311A.110, 311A.140, 311A.145, 311A.160

      STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 311A.020, 311A.025, 311A.110, 311A.160

      NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 311A.020 requires the board to promulgate administrative regulations relating to first responders. KRS 311A.025 and 311A.160 require the board to establish standards relating to first responders.