About EMS Institute
Supporting the people who care for our communities.Home / ABOUT US
WHO WE ARE
Overview
The EMS Institute was established in 1998 to assist EMS providers in Sharon Hospital’s service area. Funded primarily through an endowment and overseen by a volunteer board of directors composed of EMS personnel, emergency medicine professionals, physicians, and educators, the Institute provides speakers and courses on a variety of topics and maintains an inventory of literature, videos and training equipment. We are an American Heart Association Training Center offering affordable training for pre-hospital providers in the community.
What We Do
We offer programs and training supporting Emergency Medical Services paid and volunteer professionals in the northwest corner of CT and neighboring towns in NY State. We strive to enhance the quality of emergency care by promoting, facilitating, and providing training opportunities to support all EMS squads in the Sharon Hospital catchment area.
Training demands are constant and ever-changing:
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New members require foundational training to build strong skills and confidence;
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Seasoned staff benefit from ongoing education and instruction in evolving procedures, techniques, and best practices.
Training
AHA Training Programs
EMS Institute is an authorized American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center, offering a range of certification courses for EMS professionals, healthcare providers, and community members. Our AHA programs focus on high-quality instruction, practical skills, and confidence in life-saving care.
AHA courses include:
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BLS Provider
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ACLS
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PALS
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Heartsaver CPR/AED & First Aid
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Pediatric & Adult First Aid
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Bloodborne Pathogens
Community CPR and first aid courses are available and designed to equip individuals with essential life-saving skills that support public safety and health awareness.
Training
Customized & Specialized Training
In addition to AHA certification courses, EMS Institute works closely with EMS agencies, organizations, and community partners to develop customized training solutions tailored to specific operational needs.
We understand that no two squads or organizations are the same. Our experienced instructors can collaborate with you to design training that aligns with your goals, resources, and audience — whether that’s advanced clinical education, operational readiness, or specialized topic areas.
Past training and services have included:
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Establishment and support of Heart Safe Communities
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Monthly case review facilitation
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Full-day educational symposia, including:
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Farm Medic Training
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Trauma Education
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EPIC Training
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Emergency Vehicle Operations Training
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Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC)
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Networking and collaboration opportunities among EMS agencies
If you’re exploring training beyond traditional certification courses, we’d be happy to discuss how we can support your organization.
MEET OUR COORDINATOR
Marie Castagna
EMS Institute and American Heart Association (AHA) Training Center Coordinator
Marie Castagna EMT, EMSI, Firefighter Instructor III - Salisbury, CT
MEET OUR
Board of Directors
Lisa Fuerst
EMT - Salisbury, CT - President
Jared B. Zelman
MD, EMT - Lakeville, CT - Vice President
Katharine Schafer Reid
EMT - Salisbury, CT - Treasurer
Jayne Ridgway
EMT, EMSI - West Cornwall, CT - Secretary
Robert Schaufelberger
EMT - Lakeville, CT
William Schweizer
MD, EMT - West Cornwall, CT