202 KAR 7:201. First responders.
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.
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.)
