The City of Kirksville’s Fire Department was recently awarded “Training Entity Accreditation” by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services – Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. This certification will allow the Fire Department to provide First Responder Classes and Continuing Education (Basic Life Support and Advanced Life Support) for department personnel. All firefighters are required to obtain Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) at a minimum as part of their employment which requires many hours of continuing education to maintain their license as EMT’s and Paramedics. The Fire Department will now be able to provide these continuing education hours in-house rather than send firefighters elsewhere, saving taxpayer dollars. The Fire Department currently has four Emergency Medical Responders, 19 Emergency Medical Technicians, and four Paramedics employed in the department.