REFRESH 2021 LAUNCHES DECEMBER 15TH – OFFERING FREE NREMT NCCR (NATIONAL) CURRICULUM HOURS
With the advent of the COVID pandemic and the requirement to maintain currency and paramedic certification, a free online program is to be launched called Refresh 2021. The program hosted online by Prodigy EMS will contain a series of CAPCE approved lectures and presentations based on the National Continued Competency Program (NCCP).
The National Continued Competency Program (NCCP) was constructed using a methodology similar to that of the American Board of Medical Specialties requirements and streamlines the recertification process into three strategic categories of continuing education: National, Local, and Individual. Refresh 2021 will create and provide a complete free package of continuing education to meet local operational needs.
The project was the brainchild of Tom Bouthillet, Battalion Chief of EMS at Hilton Head Island Fire Rescue who noted ‘NREMT waived the limits on distributive education limits for this recertification season due to COVID-19. That means we have a unique opportunity to crowdsource a spectacular educational experience for EMTs and Paramedics around the world’ To move the project along and to provide guidance and technical expertise, he quickly created a project board consisting of Drs’ Peter Antevy, Paul Pepe, Kelly Bouthillet, Remle Crowe, and EMS Thought leaders James DiClemente, Keith Griffiths, Brian LaCroix, Rob Lawrence, and Mike Taigman.
Very quickly, a host of household EMS names signed on to provide content, safe in the knowledge that it will offer a free, CAPCE credit gaining, training program for those that have been on the front lines for the majority of 2020, enduring not only response to COVID but also natural disasters from Hurricanes and wildland fires and bouts of response to civil disorder.
First to join Chief Bouthillet on the Refresh 2021 steering group, Dr. Peter Antevy said ‘It took a pandemic to allow EMS leaders from around the country to join forces to provide high impact education, free to anyone, anywhere. As educators, this will be the silver lining of 2020 and it’s something that will propel us into a more promising 2021. We are humbled to do this for all those risking their lives each and every day’.
Cambridge MA-based Learning Management System, Prodigy EMS, signed on early to provide the platform to host Refresh 2021 and administer CAPCE credit at no cost. ‘We are grateful to Prodigy EMS for believing in this project, agreeing to host it, and donating their time and expertise to make it a reality!’ said Bouthillet.
The power of social media has played a part in promoting Refresh2021 already. A twitter ‘teaser’ campaign (@Refresh2021) began in mid-November and to date, just under 4000 individuals and organizations have registered including medics from 80 countries worldwide, some of whom have declared they ‘simply wish to hear great people speak’!.
Registration for Refresh 2021 is open now and online classes begin December 15th. The Refresh 2021 landing page and registration can be accessed here: https://link.prodigyems.com/refresh2021.