IDPH suspends EMT testing

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