As many as 20 percent of Wisconsin's emergency medical workers might not meet a new state deadline for terrorism training.
Thanks to a provision in the budget repair bill, the state won't issue or renew paramedics or EMT licenses unless the applicant has completed a new anti-terrorism course.
It includes four hours of training on how to recognize and handle anthrax and other agents, as well as avoiding getting contaminated while helping others.
Don Hunjadi is executive director of the Wisconsin Emergency Medical Services Association. He says the provision could delay the licenses for as many as 3,500 otherwise qualified applicants.
State officials say some will qualify for two-month extensions.
