(Courtesy photo) Mayor Jim Donchess speaks at Tuesday's program announcing AMR's Earn While You Learn program. With him are, from left, AMR paramedic Patty Stolarz, "Coco" the therapy dog; AMR Operations Manager Jason Preston, and Northeast Regional Director Patrick Pickering.

NASHUA – “Earn While You Earn,” a nationally recognized EMT training program run by American Medical Response (AMR), the nationwide emergency medical services firm that provides ambulance service for Nashua and Manchester, got underway last week in Nashua.

Gathering for a brief presentation marking the kickoff were Bobbie Bagley, director of Nashua Public Health and Community Services, Nashua Fire Rescue Chief Brian Rhodes, Mayor Jim Donchess, and several AMR representatives, including Northeast Regional Director Patrick Pickering.

With the announcement, Nashua becomes the fourth New England city to introduce “Earn While You Learn,” joining Manchester and Worcester and Springfield Massachusetts.

The program allows emergency medical technician (EMT) trainees to be hired full-time and to be paid for on-the-job training while taking the necessary certification courses to become EMTs.

Applications are being accepted through March 1. To apply, go to www.amr.net/careers.

Applicants must be 18 or older, have a high school diploma or GED, have a valid and current drivers license, pass a drug screening, have all the required immunizations and successfully pass background checks.

Classes begin March 7 and run between 10-12 weeks.

Upon successful completion of the program and obtaining their state certification, participants are promoted to emergency medical technician-basic (EMT-B) with a commensurate pay increase.

“By recruiting local people through strong partnerships with the City of Nashua, AMR is demonstrating its commitment to our citizens and community,” Bagley said at the launch event.

“This very successful program is designed to make an easier transition for those wanting to become an EMS professional and provides a critical need for EMT staffing for Nashua. The City of Nashua is very appreciative of AMRís investment in our city and creating more jobs for our residents and their families,” she said.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone interested in being trained to become a part of their local emergency medical services team,” Rhodes, the fire chief, said at the event.

“Public safety agencies across the country are struggling to find qualified, trained professionals to serve their local communities. Earn While You Learn provides that opportunity and pays them to do it. Itís an innovative win-win,” he added.

“AMR is thrilled to announce it is hiring and training 25 future lifesavers in its first Earn While You Learn academy in Nashua,” Pickering, the AMR regional director, said.

“Our commitment to local workforce development and training is an essential part of our success in providing high quality services to the communities that we serve here in the Granite State,” he said.

Dean Shalhoup may be reached at 594-1256 or dshalhoup@nashuatelegraph.com.