Attending the upcoming orientation session for the Harvard Ambulance Service (HAS) EMT-Basic cadet program on April 29 would be a great chance for townspeople to see what training for service on the squad entails, as well as hear about the rich rewards of performing a valuable service to the community, according to outgoing HAS training program Director Lily Baddour. Both Baddour and incoming director, John McClure, are enthusiastic about offering Bromfield students and Harvard’s adults the chance to train and serve, and look forward to training a new crop of students when EMT-Basic classes begin again in the fall. For those with the time and the interest in serving the town this way, the program is a wonderful experience, Baddour said, adding “If it’s right for you, it’s so much fun and rewarding.”

The state-certified training program is unique in offering Bromfield students the opportunity to become EMTs, and Harvard is one of only two towns in Massachusetts with a special waiver to do so. Put in place by program founder George Hall in 1999, the 110-hour training course is free of charge to all qualifying Bromfield students and all adult residents of Harvard. The course involves class time every Wednesday night, practical training sessions on alternate Mondays, and occasional classes on Saturdays. The time commitment is significant, Baddour and McClure emphasized, and attending the orientation session is important to get a comprehensive idea of all that is involved. Still, neither one would change the experience for a minute.

“I like the feeling that after the call you really helped somebody,” McClure said.

Topics addressed in the EMT-Basic program include trauma, geriatric care, ambulance operations, cardiac emergencies, and rescue operations, among others. Practical sessions give students an opportunity to practice theories learned in class, Baddour said, like the operation of all the equipment in the ambulance, or how to maneuver the ambulance in a variety of challenging conditions. The five-member training team offers a great deal of support to students, McClure said, and he is always available to students who might need additional help.

Baddour emphasized the need for daytime EMTs, and made a special appeal to adults who have daytime hours available. In addition, there is a special driver training program available to interested adults.

For those who take part, both McClure and Baddour stressed the value of the experience both for those who require emergency medical care, and for the EMTs themselves.

“You really feel like you can make a difference,” Baddour said.

The EMT-Basic Training orientation session will be held Tuesday, April 29, at 7 p.m. in Cronin Auditorium. For more information contact John McClure at 978-877-2101 or john.r.mcclure@comcast.net or Lily Baddour at 978-772-9546 or lilybaddour@charter.net.