BIRMINGHAM, Ala. ( WBRC ) - Organizations and fire departments across central Alabama are working to address the EMT and paramedic shortage to ensure critical care is available during emergencies.

The Regional Training Institute (RTI) in Gardendale said some counties in Alabama are only running one advanced life support ambulance per day. To help address the need, they are training an average of 100 paramedics a year.

Leo Deason is the director of education at RTI. He and his team at RTI started the program in 2023. Since then, 651 graduates have passed their national registration for either EMT basic, EMT advanced, or to become a paramedic.

But the price of becoming certified can be a roadblock for some students.

“What we were able to do here was create a non-profit organization t

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