Paramedic shortage? Officials turn to high school students

A new, hands-on EMS summer camp for high schoolers may be the answer. Two week-long camps provide students a stimulation environment where they can learn how to treat patients.

The shortage of paramedics is not just local, it's nationwide.

According to Jeffrey Hammerstein, the assistant chief of community outreach, Wake County's population has continued to grow, and the 911 call volume has grown at an even higher rate, so they need to keep up.

"We know we have to attract local people in the community at a younger age before they've made all the decisions about what they want to do and try to guide them toward EMS as a possible career," said Hammerstein.

Hammerstein said there aren't enough people getting into paramedic school, and he's hoping this camp can change that.

During the camp, students will learn about bleeding control, airway management, water rescue techniques and how to deal with mass incidents.