It all began on the 12th of September. 11 hopefuls walked into the ER24’s Training Academy to pursue their dreams of becoming Intermediate Life Support Paramedics.
With the official first group of people attending the Ambulance Emergency Assistant course at the ER24 Academy, emotions included a lot of nerves, but mostly excitement. The students sat at their desks and listened to their future lecturer, David Da Silva, explain to them what would be required of them to pass the course and step out in 4 months’ time as ILS practitioners. Not only would it take dedication, hard work and diligence in their studies; the students would need to learn to maintain discipline, respect and heart while working 6 days a week and studying most nights. While training their minds, Mr. Milbert encouraged them to train their bodies as well. A couple of days a week in the afternoon, the students would be pushed in fitness. Not at all enjoyable for some, but in the end it was all worth it.
The candidates were then required to prove their theoretical skills on their practical shifts.
Slightly unsure of using their knowledge that they had gained in the classroom and converting it into practical skills on real patients, they needed a slight nudge in the right direction. Mr Da Silva was always there to lend a helping hand and there were a number of ER24 Operational Staff available that were more than willing to help them along. With the ER24 Contact Center staff also sending the students to all weird and wonderful calls they eventually got through their required number of skills and they had to prepare themselves for final exams.
Even though for a large portion of the last 4 months the students had all been eating, sleeping and breathing their theory and practical skills, most of the candidates couldn’t help but be nervous for their final examinations.
Not only was there a 100% pass rate, there were a number of students who excelled and graduated with excellent results.
Well done to Ms. C Terre-Blanche (JHB West), Ms. D Dorman (George), Ms. J Borain (KZN), Ms S Dixon (JHB North), Mr. JH Combrink (Potchefstroom), Mr. R Crosley (JHB), Mr. R Veldman (Witbank) and Mr. N van der Merwe (Hartbeespoort). The next successful candidates for the AEA course have great big shoes to fill.
May you all walk with pride in your achievements, show compassion in treating your patients and show determination in pursuing greater goals in the future. We are proud of you all.
