posted October 28, 2024

LAS CRUCES, N.M., Oct. 28, 2024 – Air Methods, the nation’s leading air medical service provider, announced today that Las Cruces Fire Department has selected Air Methods Ascend to provide extensive in-person and online training to its first responders.

With 179 sworn personnel and eight fire stations (a ninth in the planning stages), Las Cruces Fire serves over 111,000 residents in New Mexico’s second-largest city. Every year, they respond to approximately 23,000 calls and provide initial care to about 9,000 patients.

“Ascend’s in-person and online training programs will provide the Las Cruces Fire Department with advanced education to ensure our firefighters are able to provide the highest level of care to our residents,” said Fire Chief Jason Smith.

As part of this partnership, Ascend educators will travel twice to Las Cruces. In the first year, educators will teach an advanced airway/ventilator management course, followed by an EKG training and access to Ascend’s industry-leading virtual reality lab. The following year will include a Basic Life Support cadaver lab as well as in-person and virtual reality-based training for various medical emergencies, including resuscitation and shock, and a focus on pediatric and obstetric patients.

In addition, Las Cruces Fire Department will have ongoing access to Ascend’s online EMS Review programs, which cover various topics including airway management, cardiovascular, trauma, operations, and other medical emergency topics. With 60 curriculum hours, the program far surpasses the minimum requirements for recertification with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians.

“We are excited to partner with Las Cruces Fire Department and offer our in-person and online training programs to their first responders” said Dr. Stephanie Queen, Air Methods Senior Vice President of Clinical Services. “Both our in-person and online programs are designed to equip first responders with the latest skills and knowledge to help provide the best patient care during emergencies.”

Ascend’s in-person and online education programs provide pre-hospital and critical care clinicians with access to world-class educators, state-of-the-art tools, and cutting-edge technologies to help build their knowledge, enabling them to operate at the top of their licensure and fulfill continuing education requirements. Education programs include advanced manikin-based simulation and virtual reality training that mirror real-world patient care scenarios, building life-saving skills and confidence. Courses meet certification requirements for the Board of Certification for Emergency Nursing (BCEN), Commission on Accreditation for Pre-Hospital Continuing Education (CAPCE), and International Board of Specialty Certifications (IBSC). Ascend’s Critical Care Readiness in-person training and Critical Care Review online modules are accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC).

Additionally, Air Methods Ascend is a licensed provider of SimX’s virtual reality training platform. This platform offers over 300 clinical scenarios, enabling clinicians to immerse themselves in realistic medical emergencies. Through this immersive experience, clinicians can hone their decision-making skills and refine their ability to provide optimal patient care in high-pressure situations. Being a licensed provider also enables Ascend to offer virtual reality training remotely to its customers, significantly reducing training costs for the receiving agency.

Learn more about the Ascend education program here.