A push to get more EMT's certified during a time w hen testing is down

One Vigo County School instructor is pushing for more EMT certified tests to open up.

"the at-home test".

One teacher is fighting for his students to get certified.

Scott dalton is asking the state to open up more e-m-t testing.

It's for his students -- and for more helping hands during the pandemic.

News 10's sarah lehman is live in our newsroom.

She has more from dalton about the importance of students getting certified.

Scott dalton's students have been working hard all year to become e-m-t certified.

Now -- because of the covid-19 pandemic they're finding it hard to take part of the test.

For 5 years -- scott dalton has been teaching vigo county students e-m-s training.

Getting them prepared to become an e-m-t once they graduate high school.

"you have to pass a skills exam which my students through the school corporation have already passed and then there is a written component that's taken online."

Dalton says indiana's certification is thorugh the national registery.

Because of covid 19 the testing center has decreased their available slots to take the test.

"if the students aren't able to take that test they won't receive an e-m-t certification."

Dalton says -- right now rural areas in indiana need all the medical help they can get.

"rural indiana definitely needs an increase in emergency responders during this pandemic and so anybody that we can help get certified that's going to help fight this medical crisis."

So -- he's calling on the state to help.

"what i've been trying to do is ask the state to open up their original e-m-t test so we can approve the availablity for the students."

Dalton says his students are still studying and preparing for the certification.

"i'm trying to keep them motivated but definitely they have a higher skill set and higher knowledge retention if they take that test right after we completed class dalton says right now -- there is only one testing place in terre haute.

He says that center has opened up more availablity as of right now.

But -- he says he has not heard anything back from the state regarding this issue.

Reporting live in the newsroom.

Sarah lehman news 10.

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