(contribution by Angela Tinnerello – EMT)
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staffing shortages are hitting rural communities hard. Here in Jonesboro, the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District (JPASD) is providing a solution to the problem.
In the face of a national EMS workforce shortage, the Jackson Parish Ambulance Service District (JPASD) is leading by example. Through its nationally recognized training center, JPASD is preparing the next generation of EMTs and AEMTs and making a measurable impact on the quality, speed, and availability of emergency care for Jackson Parish residents.
The JPASD Training Center proudly congratulates 18 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) (pending National Registry test results) and 3 Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) on their graduation. We wish the best of luck to the EMT students taking, at their own pace, the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification tests and congratulate the three students who recently passed National Registry testing and completed their Advanced EMT (AEMT) certification. At the same time, the organization offers encouragement to five dedicated JPASD employees currently pursuing Paramedic certification — the highest level of pre-hospital care — in a continuing effort to serve the community with excellence and preparedness.
Across the United States, EMS agencies are struggling to maintain adequate staffing levels. According to the American Ambulance Association, the turnover rate among EMTs and paramedics is alarmingly high, with over 30% leaving the profession within five years (American Ambulance Association, 2022). A recent survey by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) shows that 60% of EMS agencies report a staffing shortage, many of them critical (NAEMT, 2022). In rural and underserved areas like Jackson Parish, the challenge is even more pronounced.
For local residents, these national trends aren’t abstract statistics — they directly affect how quickly help arrives when 911 is called, how well-equipped EMS teams are to handle complex medical emergencies, and whether there are enough trained professionals available to serve during natural disasters, major vehicle collisions, or widespread health crises.
Lifesaving Investment in Local Healthcare
The graduation of 21 highly trained individuals from JPASD’s program marks a turning point for Jackson Parish. These 18 prospective EMTs and three prospective AEMTs will now be available to fill critical staffing gaps, increase coverage during high-demand hours, and reduce response times across the parish. For residents, this means faster emergency interventions, shorter wait times during 911 calls, and more robust care during critical transport to hospitals in nearby cities.
Advanced Emergency Medical Technicians (AEMTs) bring additional capabilities, such as starting IVs, administering a wider range of medications, and handling more complex airway procedures — vital skills that can make a significant difference in trauma or cardiac events (NHTSA, 2021). By adding more AEMTs to the provider pool, JPASD increases its ability to deliver high-quality, on-the-scene care, especially in rural parts of the parish where immediate access to emergency rooms is limited.
Every newly trained EMT and AEMT strengthens the EMS infrastructure in Jackson Parish—not just for day-to-day emergencies but also for major events such as storms, industrial accidents, and community health crises.
A Nationally Recognized, NAEMT-Accredited Training Center
JPASD’s Training Center isn’t just producing quantity — it’s producing quality. The center has earned national recognition and is officially accredited through the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) — the gold standard in EMS certification and credentialing (NREMT, 2024).
This NAEMT accreditation means that all educational programming, testing, and skill assessments meet the most rigorous national standards for EMS training. Students graduate fully prepared to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) certification exams and enter the field with confidence, competence, and nationally recognized credentials.
JPASD’s reputation for excellence attracts top-tier instructors and healthcare professionals from across Louisiana and beyond. The program includes extensive simulation-based training, live scenario exercises, and partnerships with hospitals and specialty care facilities — giving students real-world experience before they ever enter the field. The result: graduates who are not only certified but genuinely prepared for the demands of modern emergency care.
For Jackson Parish residents, this means peace of mind — knowing that when an ambulance arrives, it’s staffed by professionals trained at one of the best EMS programs in the region. It also means that as JPASD continues to grow its training programs, it will serve as a pipeline for keeping highly skilled EMS professionals in the local area, rather than losing talent to larger urban centers.
Investing in the Future: The Paramedic Pathway
Looking ahead, JPASD is proud to support five of its current employees as they work toward Paramedic certification. These individuals are already active in the community as EMTs or AEMTs and have now committed to advancing their skills to the highest level of pre-hospital care. Becoming a paramedic requires hundreds of additional hours in clinical training, classroom instruction, and real-world fieldwork — a commitment that reflects not only professional ambition but deep care for the people they serve (CAAHEP, 2023).
For Jackson Parish, the addition of more paramedics will have a profound impact. Paramedics are trained to handle the most life-threatening emergencies: heart attacks, severe trauma, stroke, airway obstruction, and pediatric crises. They can interpret EKGs, perform advanced airway management, administer cardiac medications, and initiate treatment protocols en route to the hospital — interventions that often mean the difference between life and death (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023).
These five future paramedics represent the continued evolution of emergency care in Jackson Parish — more advanced, more responsive, and more capable of delivering lifesaving services no matter the challenge.
A Message to the Community: This is Your Success Too
To the graduates, we offer heartfelt congratulations. Your hard work, resilience, and commitment to service have equipped you to make a real difference in the lives of your neighbors, friends, and families. You have chosen a path that requires both skill and heart, and Jackson Parish is stronger because of you.
To the five paramedic students, we salute your drive and determination. Your pursuit of the highest level of EMS certification reflects a leadership mindset and a desire to go above and beyond. Your success will uplift every person who calls 911 and every team member who serves beside you.
To the community of Jackson Parish, we thank you for your support. The continued success of the JPASD Training Center is possible because of the strong partnership between the district and the people it serves. Together, we are building a safer, healthier future.
Looking Ahead
JPASD remains committed to addressing the EMS shortage not just with recruitment, but with high-quality training, internal development, and long-term retention. As the healthcare landscape continues to evolve, so will JPASD — bringing the best in emergency medical care to every corner of Jackson Parish.
For more information on upcoming training programs and community outreach events, please contact our administrative office at (318) 259 – 2891 or visit the education tab on our website at JPASD.com.
JPASD Announces Advanced EMT Class in July
JPASD is pleased to announce that registration is underway for the next Advanced EMT Class that will begin on July 21st at the Training Center, located at 115 Watts Street in Jonesboro.
Classes will be held from 9:00 am – 2:00 pm every Monday and Thursday for 15 weeks. Students will need a laptop computer as Chromebooks, cell phones, and tablets are not sufficient. Loaner laptops will be available.
To register and inquire about tuition, call (318) 259 – 2891.
