The first class to complete the Emergency Medical Services-Paramedic Program at Carroll Community College was recognized in a ceremony on September 27, 2012. Eight students who entered the program when it started in fall 2010 were recognized. The students will be eligible to take the National Registry for EMT—Paramedic (NREMT-P) licensure exam, which is required to practice in Maryland, upon degree conferral this December. This selective admissions program is designed to train firefighters to become paramedics in the state. They must meet several requirements and maintain an affiliation with a fire station.

"Many people believe that all emergency medical services providers are at the same level," said Stacey Bowen, coordinator of Emergency Medical Services at Carroll Community College. "In reality, there are various levels of training within the industry. EMT-Bs (Basic) can take vital signs, may transport patients, can do dressings, and other basic skills. EMT-Is (Intermediate) can do more, while EMT-Paramedics have a knowledge base that is comparable to registered nurses, although the focus is different from nursing. The college's program trains EMTs at the paramedic level."

Carroll County Volunteer Emergency Services Association (CCVESA) is a strong supporting partner in the program.

Completers of the program will benefit from its new board-approved status. Maryland Institute for Emergency Services Systems grants approval to institutional programs that teach advanced life support. The approval is in effect for four more years, at which time the program is eligible for re-approval.

"I believe that our EMS program excels," said College President Dr. Faye Pappalardo.

"Carroll is demonstrating a much-needed response to community demand through the implementation of the EMS program," said Vice President for Academic and Student Affairs James Ball.

"It is a pleasure to oversee a program as efficient and effective as EMS, in which community connections are strong and woven into the fabric of our course delivery," said Robert Brown, dean of STEM, Nursing and Allied Health.

A new national requirement effective Jan. 1, 2013 states that program graduates can only test with the national registry if they are from a nationally-accredited institution. Carroll is pursuing its accreditation with full confidence that it will be granted, according to Bowen. The accrediting body for EMT educators is the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

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