The Vineyard needs more emergency medical technicians; classes will begin early in 2011. To reach out for more recruits, the Martha’s Vineyard Association of Emergency Medical Technicians is holding its 13th annual open house at the West Tisbury Fire Station No. 2, tomorrow from 9 a.m. to noon. The fire station is at the town public safety building. Refreshments will be served.

Jeffrey Pratt, president of the association and a top instructor, said EMTs representing all four squads will be on hand. The idea is to welcome the community and put a face on the work EMTs do. Mr. Pratt said there are at least 100 active Vineyard EMTs.

The goal is to train four more EMTs per squad, adding anywhere from a dozen to 20 students to the class, Mr. Pratt said.

Last year eight students completed the class and at least four of them are actively serving as EMTs now, Mr. Pratt said.

The cost of enrollment is $1,200 per student; in most cases, the cost is reimbursed by the town where the EMT serves. At tomorrow’s open house, there will be an opportunity to talk about scholarships as well.

Orientation takes place on Thursday, Jan. 13; class begins the next night. From then through April classes will take place every Friday night and Saturday morning. All told the course involves about 150 hours of instruction.

“To anyone who is considering doing this, they need to know that in time they can have a dramatic impact on the ambulance service. Within a couple of years they can be an important part of the system,” Mr. Pratt said.

For more information visit the association’s Web site at mvaemt.org.