The 525 Independence All Stars. Courtesy/Brian Kliesen
COMMUNITY News:
Brian Kliesen of Los Alamos, former wildland firefighter with the US Forest Service, was recently recognized by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians for achieving 20 consecutive years of National EMS Certification.
This distinction is an honor held by few EMS professionals.
To maintain his status as a Nationally Registered EMT, Kliesen completed, on a biennial basis, the most comprehensive recertification program for EMS professionals in America.
By maintaining his National EMS Certification and completing regular continuing education courses, Kliesen has demonstrated his commitment to providing exceptional prehospital emergency medical care.
Kliesen was Nationally Registered as an EMT Basic in 2003 and had been serving the US Forest Service and National Park Service at Everglades National Park, and on the Bridger-Teton, Boise, and Inyo National Forests. Most recently he was with the Santa Fe National Forest / Santa Fe Helitack here in Los Alamos, where he also served as the Forest EMS coordinator until his retirement this last year.
Kliesen served as a US Army Reserve Combat Field Medic and as an EMT overseas for the UN High Commission for Refugees in Thailand and Somalia, as an Instructor in South Africa, and has worked as a CPR/First Aid instructor throughout the US. Kliesen recently visited Ukraine to assist in the delivery of medical supplies, Ambulances and a Fire truck with US Ambulances for Ukraine and continues to work with that and other organizations to provide medical assistance and education worldwide.
Locally, UNM-Los Alamos offers EMT Certification courses and an Associate’s Degree program in Emergency Medical Services for those interested in becoming an EMT or EMS Professional.
The National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians serves as the National EMS Certification organization by providing a valid, uniform process to assess the knowledge and skills required for competent practice by EMS Professionals throughout their careers and by maintaining a registry of certification status.