Lake County Fire Rescue Launches Second In-House Paramedic Program

Lake County Fire Rescue (LCFR), in collaboration with First Response Training Group (FRTG), has initiated its second in-house paramedic program, aiming to bolster emergency medical services and invest in the department's future.

 

Traditional paramedic programs often span 12 months, but LCFR's partnership with FRTG has condensed this timeline to six months. This accelerated program maintains the rigorous academic, clinical, and hands-on training standards mandated by the State of Florida.

 

Selected personnel will receive top-tier instruction from seasoned paramedic educators. To facilitate this intensive training, participants are reassigned to a 40-hour workweek, engaging in a comprehensive Monday through Friday schedule from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

 

Nineteen LCFR Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) have been temporarily withdrawn from field duties to complete the program. Upon graduation, successful completion of the National Registry exam, and fulfillment of the Medical Director's provisional process, these individuals will return to service as fully certified paramedics, equipped with advanced life-saving skills and expanded capabilities.

 

Public Safety Director David Kilbury emphasized the program's significance, stating, "Faced with a growing need for highly trained paramedics, we created a new paradigm with FRTG to start this program and invest in our people." He added, "This partnership will ensure that our elite team of EMTs receives high-quality, accelerated training so we can continue providing advanced medical care to the communities we serve throughout all of Lake County, Florida."

 

LCFR's commitment to enhancing emergency medical services is further demonstrated by recent initiatives. In August 2025, the department adopted a 24-hour on, 72-hour off schedule for paramedics and EMTs. This change reduced the average workweek to 42 hours, aiming to improve health, morale, and staffing levels. The new schedule has already led to a significant increase in applications and filled previously long-standing vacancies.

 

These strategic efforts underscore LCFR's dedication to advancing emergency medical services and ensuring the well-being of Lake County residents.