It takes about 150 hours to be certified as an EMT-B in the State of Iowa . It takes over 600 hours of training to become a paramedic. The Marion Fire Department is a conditional paramedic service . This means that when the paramedics are on duty, they can function as a paramedic. If no paramedic is on duty, EMT-B level service is provided.
Paramedics are available most of the time.
Each station has a paramedic-equipped response unit. Most ambulance transports are provided by Area Ambulance Service, which is based at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids. For medical calls north of County Home road, Central City Ambulance Service or Center Point Ambulance Service will respond.