Dear Ohio Certified First Responders/ EMT’s/Paramedics,

The Division of EMS has been given the ability through legislation,
(H.B. 1), to begin issuing certifications for all levels both Fire and
EMS, to expire on a common date. This date as established through the
implementation of H.B. 401 will be the certification holder’s date of
birth. This will give both the certificate holder and the division the
ability to more easily track multiple certifications and the continuing
education requirements that must be met for each one.

The Board of EMS, The Fire Training Committee and the staff of the
Division of EMS are in the process of writing and approving rules,
policies and procedures that will be utilized in implementing this new
law and regulating it in the years to come. It is our goal to have this
completed and implemented by 1/1/2011. This means that the expiration
date of all EMS certifications will be changed to the card holder’s
date of birth on that date.

ALL ACTIVE OHIO CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDERS/ EMT’S/PARAMEDICS WILL BE
AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE IN THE LAW

ALL active Ohio certified First Responders/ EMT’s/Paramedics will be
affected by this change in the law. For those who are dual certified
through the division for both EMS and Fire, their EMS certification will
be moved to the same expiration date as their current active Ohio
Firefighter certification. For those who are certified for EMS only,
their expiration date will be moved to their date of birth in the same
year that their current Ohio EMS certification now expires.

Since all certification periods will be changed from the 3 year cycle
that was in place at the time the affected certifications were issued,
continuing education, (CEU), requirements will also be changed. For all
EMS certification holders whose Ohio certification period is lengthened,
the continuing education required will not be changed. These
certification holders will simply have more time to complete the
educational requirements that are now in place in rule for renewal. For
those certification holders whose Ohio EMS certification period is
shortened, the continuing education required will be prorated to a
lesser amount. These lesser amounts will be detailed on a chart that
will be made available on our website at www.ems.ohio.gov when the rules
are approved. Please visit the website often for this update.

ALL ACTIVE OHIO CERTIFIED FIRST RESPONDERS/ EMT’S/PARAMEDICS WILL BE
AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE IN THE LAW

This notice is to inform you of this change in the law and the
certification process by the Division of EMS. You are receiving this
notice by mail because our records indicate that YOU WILL BE DIRECTLY
AFFECTED BY THIS CHANGE IN THE LAW. Please check the expiration dates of
all active certifications you now hold that were issued by the Division
of EMS to see how YOU will be affected. If you have any questions
concerning this matter please contact John L. Kennington, Certification
Coordinator, or any member of the Certification Staff at the Division of
EMS.