Parkmedic Program
What is the Parkmedic Program?
The Parkmedic program provides the emergency medicine residents at UCSF Fresno the unique opportunity to become EMS medical directors (under faculty supervision) for the EMS providers of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (SEKI). With staff guidance, residents participate in:
- MonthlyContinuing Education of the Parkmedics (CE) (monthly continuing education sessions)
- Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)
- Biannual Parkmedic Primary Certification Course
Residents voluntarily participate in this program usually starting in the PGY 2 year (see Parkmedic EMS Curriculum).
What is a Parkmedic?
Parkmedics are park rangers with specialty medical training. Their training is similar to an AEMT, but with an expanded pharmacological and procedural scope of practice. Parkmedics in Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park provide EMS services under protocols written, reviewed and revised by Parkmedic residents. Parkmedics call for medical direction from the field to the CRMC emergency department, where trained residents provide advice and consultation via radio.
Danny Dresher Memorial Scholarship for Parkmedic Training
In April 2019, the Dresher Family lost their beloved son and brother, Danny, in a mountaineering accident in Alaska. Through Danny’s work as a back country ranger at Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado and Lake Clark National Park in Alaska, he developed a passion for providing emergency medical services in wilderness environments. He constantly strove to improve both his mountaineering/rescue skills and his medical skills. Just prior to his death, he completed his Advanced EMT/Parkmedic training at UCSF Fresno at his own expense and was slated to be part of the Yosemite Search and Rescue team.
His family has established the “Danny Dresher Memorial Scholarship for Parkmedic Training at UCSF Fresno” in Danny’s memory. These funds will be available annually to help pay tuition costs for National Park Service rangers attending UCSF Fresno’s Parkmedic Primary Certification Course. This program and scholarship benefits rangers, our national parks, and the public by placing more medically trained rangers in the field. Honor Danny’s life and the important work of parkmedics by making an online donation to the scholarship or explore other ways to make a donation. All donations to the UCSF Foundation at tax-deductible.
Scholarship applications are being accepted until November 1. Click here to submit.
January Parkmedic Primary Certification Course, Trauma Tactics Day