Norman Regional EMSSTAT Earns National Training Facility Designation, Expands Advanced First Responder Training in Oklahoma

Norman Regional EMSSTAT, the emergency medical service for Norman and Moore, has earned official designation as a National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) Training Facility, significantly expanding access to advanced emergency medical training for the south central Oklahoma region.

The NAEMT designation places EMSSTAT among a group of agencies nationwide authorized to deliver high-level courses such as Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC) and Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS). These programs are designed to equip paramedics, EMTs, firefighters, and other public safety professionals with essential skills for responding to high-threat and mass-casualty incidents.

Bringing Nationally Recognized Training Closer to Norman

Before this designation, many Oklahoma first responders had to travel out of state to access NAEMT’s specialized courses. Now, EMSSTAT can host them locally, providing ongoing opportunities for first responders across Oklahoma and neighboring states to receive the same advanced, evidence-based training offered in larger metropolitan areas.

“This is about readiness,” said Mike Combs, MS, NRP, Operations Supervisor at EMSSTAT. “The more training we can provide, the better the results will be for everyone in an emergency. Real life doesn’t follow a script, and our team needs to be prepared for any situation.”

Training That Reflects Real-World Emergencies

EMSSTAT now regularly offers immersive, scenario-based training sessions that simulate real-world emergencies — from active shooter incidents and natural disasters to complex trauma situations.

TECC training, for example, teaches responders to provide life-saving care in three critical phases:

• Hot Zone / Direct Threat Care – Life-saving actions performed under active threat.
• Warm Zone / Indirect Threat Care – Treatment when a threat is suppressed but still possible.
• Cold Zone / Evacuation Care – Continued care during patient evacuation to safety.

Training topics often include:

• Advanced hemorrhage control and tourniquet drills
• Airway management, including surgical airway control and needle decompression
• Pediatric patient care in high-threat environments
• Evacuation and victim extraction techniques
• Strategies for treating injured responders
• Full-scale simulations of large-scale emergencies
• Strengthening Community and Regional Safety

With its NAEMT Training Facility status, EMSSTAT is enhancing local readiness and building stronger partnerships with public safety agencies throughout the region. By hosting these advanced courses regularly, EMSSTAT is helping ensure first responders have the skills, confidence, and teamwork needed to save lives when seconds matter most.

“This is an investment in our people, our region, and our future,” Combs said. “When seconds count, training makes the difference.”

About NAEMT

The National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is the only national organization representing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergency medical providers. NAEMT promotes education, advocacy, and high standards of care in emergency medical services.

About Norman Regional EMSSTAT

EMSSTAT operates under the Norman Regional Health System and responds to more than 25,000 emergency calls annually in Norman and Moore, Oklahoma. The agency is committed to delivering high-quality prehospital care and preparing first responders for the challenges of modern emergency response.