Hamilton County EMS unveils new training center

June 11, 2024

Nick Hill,

The brand new Hamilton County EMS training and administration center.

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF)- Hamilton County EMS has been serving citizens since 1988.

However, they have not had a training center built specifically for them, until now.

After being approved by the Hamilton County Commission last year, the 16,400 square foot new training and administration building on Volunteer Drive is a game changer for Hamilton County EMS.

Up to now, they had been headquartered in a century old building on Oak Street.

Hamilton County EMS Director John Miller said, “Where we moved from was a building that was constructed in the 1930s. It used to be the old state highway department. It looked like it used to be the old state highway department, it was pretty rough when we moved into it. It was just cramped, there’s just not a lot of space. We often have more than one class going on at the same time, so we were having to move people all over the place to try to get all of that conducted. “

One of the key new features here in the EMS Training Center, is a new emergency vehicle driving simulator.

This helps new trainees simulate what it’s like driving an ambulance through various hazardous conditions.

“When I was trying out the simulator, Director Miller distracted me which caused an accident which would have not happened had he not been chirping over my shoulder.”, jokingly remarked Hamilton County Mayor Weston Wamp. He went on to say, “Those of us who drive a regular sized vehicle may think we know what it’s like to commandeer an ambulance, let alone one where a patient’s care might be connected to how well you drive.”

The center also features classrooms and mock medical exam rooms.

Also unveiled were two ambulances that will serve as replacements on the 17 vehicle fleet across the county, which has needed for some time.

Miller said, “The pandemic caused a crisis in vehicle production, so it’s taking a long time to get these. These trucks will replace vehicles that have 200,000-300,000 miles on them.”