IDPH suspends EMT testing

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SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has temporarily suspended testing for all levels of emergency medical technicians, and some area residents are concerned. The tests were suspended because of possible cheating on the exams by Chicago firefighters. Last October, a Chicago television station claimed to uncover allegations of cheating at the Chicago Fire Academy. Sources said documents with questions and answers from state EMT certification tests had been passed around the academy for several years. After the report aired, Chicago firefighters were given another exam in February, and almost 40 percent of them failed. After the second report aired, the IDPH took action, and on July 8, the health department announced the exams would be temporarily unavailable. "The integrity of the test was called into question," said Tom Schafer, spokesman for the IDPH. "It was compromised, and we have an obligation to the public in Illinois." The health department had considered switching to the National Registry exam for all EMT levels, but after listening to concerns expressed at the Emergency Medical Services Advisory Council meeting in June and talking with individuals throughout the EMS community, the health department decided not to drop the state EMT exam but rather to revise it. According to a memo issued by the department, "We are assembling the education sub-committee of the EMS Advisory Council to immediately begin work on creating the data bank questions, so the state examination can again be offered. This issue is of great importance to the department, and we ask your patience, as we create an examination that fairly tests the state's EMT candidates and ensures the best possible care for the citizens of Illinois." Rep. Don Moffitt (R-Gilson) is one of those who is concerned about the state test being suspended. In a press release, Moffitt said every EMTs and firefighters he had spoken with regarding this issue wanted the health department to continue to administer the state test. "Failure to provide a test for the new group of EMT students will place a severe strain on our current emergency medical system to have adequate staff," Moffitt said. Deb Wood, EMS coordinator at Perry Memorial Hospital in Princeton, agrees. "Moffitt is a good voice for us," she said. "This change does affect us, but it's a little early to say how much." Wood said she holds one three-month basic EMT class every fall, and there are currently 13 registered for the class. "The class starts this week, but it doesn't do us any good if there's not a test to take somewhere at the end of the class," she said. Ryan Brandner, director of 10/33 Ambulance Service in Spring Valley, said the testing suspension has affected him with intermediate-level EMTs. Illinois Valley Community College offered the intermediate class during the last two semesters, and Brandner said he had three or four people in the class. "The class teaches to the state curriculum, and when the health department made its announcement near the end of the class, it changed the whole procedure," he said. Brandner said the National Registry exam has different questions, so the instructors had to scramble to cover the different curriculum areas. Brandner said another problem with the National Registry test is that the National Registry is a private company, and its test costs around $250, as opposed to less than $50 for the state test. One problem that is being solved is that nearby locations for taking the National Registry tests are popping up. Brandner said a testing site has been established at the college, and the intermediate test will be held Saturday. "The health department seems to be working with us to provide test sites," Wood agreed. Schafer said there are numerous testing sites available, and more sites are being added as new classes begin. Moffitt recently sponsored a resolution urging the IDPH to stay the expiration date of EMT licenses until a new test has been issued and to work with other state agencies with expertise in creating examinations in order to develop a new EMT examination in a timely fashion. "If the department of public health doesn't act quickly, we could have an EMT crisis in downstate communities throughout the state," he said. "That would threaten the lives and well-being of our families, friends and neighbors." Schafer said the IDPH has not considered staying the dates. He said once people pass the EMT test, the only requirement is to complete 30 hours of continuing education per year. At the end of four years, the individual shows proof of the 120 hours, and the license is automatically renewed with no need to retake the test. "The suspension of the state test has no impact at all on Illinois relicensure," Schafer said.