High school students in the North Haven Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Explorer Program are preparing to teach a non-certificate CPR course of their own design to their peers.

The students developed this training in the hopes it will help their classmates prepare for an emergency, and inspire them to join the EMS Explorer Program. The training will take place Friday, February 9, 8 to 10 a.m., at North Haven Community School.

“I signed up because I think it's important knowledge that I should have, even if I'm not going to pursue this as a career,” said Maya LaBelle, an 11th grade EMS Explorer, in a news release. “The idea of having the knowledge and experience to help someone in need makes me feel better about existing in the everyday world.”

The EMS Explorer Program is a new opportunity for students and community members to experience the field of EMS and make an informed decision about pursuing licensure. North Haven Emergency Medical Services has partnered with North Haven Community School to ensure any interested student can participate.

Out of 24 high school students, 11 are enrolled in the program. They worked hard to obtain CPR, First- Aid, and Stop-the-Bleed certifications, and then adapt their knowledge into trainings for other students. They will first share their trainings in an open-house exhibit on February 8th, and then deliver them to their peers on February 9.

Courtney Naliboff, a North Haven Community School teacher and EMT who has been instrumental in bringing the program to the island, said: “The EMS Explorer Program] at North Haven Community School not only exposes students to the field of EMS as a career or volunteer opportunity, [it also] engages young people in skills and knowledge that have the potential to make a tangible difference in their community. It's an honor to be a pilot site, and I'm so pleased that nearly half our high school students have chosen to participate.”

The EMS Explorer Program is facilitated by MaineEMS, an office in the Maine the Department of Public Safety, and JMG, an educational nonprofit that partners with public education and private businesses to offer results-driven solutions to ensure all Maine students graduate, attain post-secondary credentials, and pursue meaningful careers. North Haven is one of 5 pilot sites currently participating in the Maine EMS Explorer Program. The other sites are Bethel Rescue, Shapleigh Rescue Squad, Vinalhaven Emergency Services, and Van Buren Ambulance.

The program was initiated through a grant from the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, which funded the EMS Explorer Program Coordinator position at MaineEMS. Since November 2022, MaineEMS and JMG have collaborated to plan, develop, and implement this program. As part of JMG’s Maine Career Exploration Badge program, these program participants will receive a $500 academic award after completing 40 hours of meaningful work experience facilitated through an intentionally designed exploration and reflection process offered by JMG.

“It’s incredible to see students so engaged with this program,” said Anna Massefski, EMS Explorer Program Coordinator at MaineEMS. “North Haven’s success in building this meaningful connections with students is just the start – we are so excited for statewide rollout this year.”