COEUR d'ALENE - First responders from throughout the Inland Northwest plan to attend a new conference in Coeur d'Alene, organizers of the event announced Thursday.

Emergency medical professionals will earn continuing education credits from hands-on sessions along with presentation from national and local experts who have experience in what's considered pre-hospital care. The conference will run May 2-4, and will be based at the Best Western Coeur d'Alene Inn.

"Wilderness medicine" and dealing with obese patients will be among the training areas offered to attendees.

There also will be a training program called "Save a Cop," helping providers better respond to an emergency scenario involving an active shooter. This session will be taught at the Kootenai County Fairgrounds.

Mike Helbock, one of three owners of EMS Associates, the business conducting the conference, said, "We developed the 'Save a Cop' course."

Helbock is a Seattle-base paramedic. His business offers training in the field of emergency medicine for first responders, including paramedics, nurses, law enforcement, and military emergency medical technicians.

"This is a national level conference with a local feel," he said. "I believe there is a need here. It's a rural area but there are also a lot of people here."

Uniformed members of the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department will be given free passes, "Because we're in their town," Helbock said.

Already first responders from throughout Eastern Washington, North Idaho and western Montana have committed to attend, he said.

"The first day is all about hands-on training," Helbock said.

He plans to continue the conference annually. The conference has been running for 37 years in Salt Lake City.

Nick Lewis, marketing director for EMS Associates, said, "It is the longest-running intermountain region conference with continuos ownership and operation."

It costs $175 per person for either the "Save a Cop" or "Wilderness Medicine 1.0" class. The "Dealing with the Bariatric Patient" course is $100. Other single courses cost $85. Those purchasing a bundle of classes will save some money.

Registration prices will increase on April 23.

A brochure with the full course list with dates, times, locations and prices can be found on EMS Associates' website: www.emsassociates.com. A link for registration is on the site.