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Faculty

Garret Shields

BS, NRP, FP-C, VA-EC
EMS Technician
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Garret Shields BS, NRP, FP-C, VA-EC is a proud graduate of the UCLA Paramedic Program in 2011 and has been a provider in multiple states nationwide, spending the last 11 years with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue. As a field provider with Fairfax County, he developed a passion for teaching students as a field training officer and EMS instructor. He co-created the FCFRD EMT Certification program that saw a 100% first-time pass rate on the NREMT exam during his tenure. Garret also worked part-time at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. in the Emergency Department for several years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Purdue University Global. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the 9/11 charity, Pay It Forward 9/11.

2026 Sessions

More than a Checklist: Strategies for EMS Preceptors

An inconvenient truth: Just because someone is a good field provider does not mean they will be a good teacher. EMS preceptors often limit their role to simply checking boxes, but an effective preceptor should be much more than that. The problem is that many preceptors receive little to no training on how to be effective and even less in adult education. Preceptors should serve as mentors to their students, starting with establishing a trusting relationship.

This session will explore strategies for becoming a more effective preceptor, whether you have mentored one or 100 students. We will introduce several concepts of adult education and ways to build upon them.

Remember that every student is unique and may be at different stages of learning. It is your duty to guide them into becoming competent providers, hoping that one day, one of your students will become a mentor to the next generation of EMS providers.

Speaker

Thursday, May 28 9:50–10:20 AM
Room 405
Faculty

Garret Shields

BS, NRP, FP-C, VA-EC
EMS Technician
Fairfax County Fire & Rescue Department

Garret Shields BS, NRP, FP-C, VA-EC is a proud graduate of the UCLA Paramedic Program in 2011 and has been a provider in multiple states nationwide, spending the last 11 years with Fairfax County Fire & Rescue. As a field provider with Fairfax County, he developed a passion for teaching students as a field training officer and EMS instructor. He co-created the FCFRD EMT Certification program that saw a 100% first-time pass rate on the NREMT exam during his tenure. Garret also worked part-time at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington D.C. in the Emergency Department for several years. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Purdue University Global. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the 9/11 charity, Pay It Forward 9/11.
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