First Class of the RCC Emergency Medical Technician Training Program Graduates

Rockland Community College Emergency Medical Technician Training Program was created last year in partnership with Rockland Paramedics, the Rockland Workforce Board and Rockland Career Center to help alleviate an ongoing Emergency Medical Technician and paramedic shortage in the region while helping unemployed and underemployed workers on a new career path. The first class graduated in May of this year; the summer session class will end early next month, and the spring session will coincide with the RCC calendar in January 2023.

The Emergency Medical Technician program leads to NYS Certification as an EMT-Basic. Students are trained to provide care in life-threatening or potentially life-threatening conditions and to prevent further harm before a patient is moved or transported. Students complete a rigorous course including didactic and practical instruction as required by New York State. Students who successfully complete the course and pass the final written and practical exam will be eligible to take the New York State Certification Exam on the last day of the program.

The three-month-long program culminates with on-the-job training as an EMT professional at Rockland Paramedics Services, which has already committed to hiring those students who complete the program at an expected starting salary of $46,900. The program cost is $6,997 but is free for individuals who qualify for assistance through the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.

“This partnership provides Rockland County’s emerging workforce with the skills necessary to obtain sustainable employment while connecting Rockland County employers with a workforce tailored to their needs,” says Beth Coyle, Vice President of Operations for Rockland Community College.

To learn more about this program, please visit https://sunyrockland.edu/community/workforce-development/industry-credentials/.

About Rockland Paramedic Services

Rockland Paramedic Services is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit Advanced Life Support Service operating in Rockland County. They are the advanced life support first response service that operates in conjunction with the local volunteer ambulance corps. Through the EMS 911 system, they respond with the volunteer ambulance corps to all medical emergencies. Rockland Paramedic Services has made a firm commitment to staff to be the best trained and qualified paramedics in the Hudson Valley. RPS has concentrated its efforts toward providing the latest state-of-the-art equipment and lifesaving medical techniques available. To find out more visit www.rocklandparamedics.org or call 845-627-8612 or send an email to info@rocklandparamedics.org.

About Rockland Community College, State University of New York

Rockland Community College (RCC), located in Suffern New York, provides purpose driven educational opportunities in a supportive, affordable, and accessible environment, empowering individuals to positively transform themselves and their communities. RCC welcomes students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Many graduates go on to top universities to further their education on their own or through RCC’s institutional collaborations.

RCC fosters an environment that attracts, recruits, supports, and retains faculty, staff, and students who value diversity. The College promotes a collegial and inclusive environment by recognizing, promoting, embracing, respecting, and celebrating the expansive range and dimensions of cultures, attitudes, ideas, and viewpoints contained within our campus community.

RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through a variety of programs and educational opportunities including workforce training, certifications, and micro credentials. Many of the programs are developed with employers in the community in high demand industry areas to enable graduates to move into a new career upon graduation. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.