By Eric Stock
NORMAL – Anyone training to become an emergency medical technician can now get training and college credit by taking the course taught by the EMT’s themselves.
Heartland Community College which had previouly offered its own EMT courses is now partnering with McLean County EMS to offer the program.
“(It’s intended) to create a high-fidelity simulated environment that EMS students at all levels are able to participate in and to be able to make it a more realistic training experience for them, so they’ll be better prepared to enter their field,” McLean County EMS director Dylan Ferguson said.
Ferguson added the program McLean County EMS offered in the past didn’t allow for financial aid or college credit such as the program as Heartland.
Ferguson added he hopes a streamlined training process will encourage more people to become EMTs.
“A lot of our smaller communities, they are doing a fantastic job but they are always looking for a few good men and women to be able to contiue to help out within their comunities,” Ferguson said, noting that in most smaller communities, emergency responders are typically volunteers.
The course offerings which will begin in Janurary will include First Responder, EMT Basic and Paramedic.
Those interested in enrolleing in EMT Basic can contact Heartland’s academic advising at (309) 268-8033. For questions about becoming an EMT or the course, call McLean County EMS at (309) 827-4348.
Eric Stock can be reached at eric.stock@cumulus.com.
