Bill Humes, training officer with Cranberry EMS, talks to residents at May's Coffee with the Manager event.

CRANBERRY TWP — When Bill Humes dreamed up the Cranberry Township Emergency Medical Service Training Blitz in 2014, he wasn't sure what to expect.

Humes, a paramedic and training officer with Cranberry Township EMS, just wanted to give fellow EMS workers an easy way to get a bunch of high-quality continuing education credits in one weekend.

“It worked,” he said.

Four years later, it has outgrown its original location and expanded to offer 34 classes. The 2018 Training Blitz is scheduled for Aug. 18 and 19 at the Pittsburgh Marriott North hotel in Cranberry.

It draws attendees from around the region and across the state, Humes said. Last year's Blitz had 26 classes with 130 people attending.

Jeff Kelly, Cranberry Township EMS chief, said it's one of the largest EMS training conferences in the state and likely the largest hosted by a single EMS agency.

The inspiration for the Blitz came after Humes was promoted to crew chief and took on the responsibility of training at Cranberry Township EMS. He tried hosting weekly classes but attendance was low.

“Most EMS workers have one or two jobs. Our schedules are hectic,” Humes said. “It's not easy or convenient to get away for a couple hours for a class.”

Read more about this issue in Monday's Butler Eagle.