Bryan County paramedics, EMTs at risk of license lapses due to training compliance failure

BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. — 26 paramedics and EMTs in Bryan County Fire & Rescue are at risk of their licenses lapsing by the end of March after the department failed to get state approval for its in-house training program in 2025.

Internal emails obtained by WTOC Investigates show that 29% of the department’s 90 registered medics must complete 40 hours of state-mandated continuing education by March 31 or face license lapses.

Bryan County emergency responders completed dozens of hours of training in 2025, but the training did not count toward their certification requirements because it lacked state approval.

On Dec. 22, new Bryan County Fire & Rescue Chief Anthony Van Es sent an email to staff apologizing for “not following through on the process of obtaining state approval for our in-house EMS education for 2025.”

“As a result, we will be unable to use any 2025 EMS education hours for Georgia recertification,” Van Es said in the email.

County shifts blame to former employees

When WTOC Investigates requested an interview about the situation, Bryan County declined and instead sent a lengthy statement blaming a former employee who was responsible for submitting documentation required by the state to approve in-house education programs. The county also placed blame on the former fire chief.

READ: Bryan County fire chief ‘separated’ from department

However, former Chief Matt Burns disputed the county’s account in a statement to WTOC Investigates.

“Chief Van Es has been running the EMS division for the past two years and is completely aware of the process and procedures to manage EMS CEUs and the failure rests solely with him,” Burns says.

Discrepancy in affected numbers

According to Bryan County, their records show 18 full-time firefighters with certifications that expire at the end of March. However, WTOC Investigates found there are 90 registered medics on Bryan County Fire & Rescue’s roster, with 26 having licenses expiring at the end of March.

The Georgia Department of Public Health, which oversees EMS in the state, confirmed those higher numbers.

State requirements for continuing education

The State of Georgia requires EMTs and paramedics to complete 40 hours of continuing education every two years to maintain their licenses. Emergency services departments often offer in-house training, but it must be state-approved.

Tom Kamplain, CEO of the Georgia Institute of EMS, says continuing education is critical for emergency medical professionals.

“We are constantly progressing and learning as we go in the profession,” Kamplain says. “Things we used to do five years ago, we don’t do anymore because the research has shown that it does harm. And research shows that other things do better.”

Kamplain says getting state approval for training programs is straightforward.

“It’s very important to ensure that you get approval,” he said. “Getting approval is not very difficult. The State of Georgia has it where you can go online. You log in, and they have an online application. You fill out the online application. And they usually get back to you with approval within at least a couple weeks.”

Consequences for unlicensed practice

Medics who fail to complete their required hours face serious consequences if they continue working.

“If they don’t get it done, there’s some consequences, because if they get caught working in the field, they’re practicing without a license, and they could be prosecuted and getting in trouble for that,” Kamplain says.

However, Kamplain said the affected medics should be able to complete their requirements through free resources offered by the State of Georgia or other training programs.

“If you’ve got to get it done, you’ve got to get it done,” he says.

Van Es said in his email that the department would work with those whose licenses expire at the end of March to help them complete their hours. He provided a link to the State of Georgia’s continuing education program. The county also said it is allowing on-duty training so that “employees are not required to use personal time or incur out-of-pocket costs.”

Sources within Bryan County Emergency Services said they have not received additional information about making up their hours since the email was sent last month.

The county adds that the Bryan County Board of Commissioners recently approved the creation of a Division Chief of Emergency Medical Services position, upon Van Es proposing it. The position is “intended to provide dedicated oversight of EMS training and certification moving forward.”

County commissioners contacted Tuesday said they were not aware of this situation.