18 Students Complete On-Campus EMT Course

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Through a partnership with EMT Academy in Springfield, Mass., UMass Amherst EMS (UMEMS) was able to host an EMT training class on campus during the spring 2019 semester. The group has worked for several years to bring this training back to campus.

Dominic Singh, campus EMS coordinator, served as the primary instructor while UMEMS EMTs functioned as teaching assistants and liaisons to the attending students. The first class of 18 students (14 UMass Amherst, one Hampshire College, one Smith College and two members of the Hadley Fire Department) worked through the 200-plus hour program meeting nights and weekends throughout the semester.  The program included a mix of classroom lectures, practical skills, simulation exercises and ambulance ride time.  

Upon completion of the course, students were qualified to sit for all components of the National Registry of EMTs exam, with UMEMS hosting the hands-on portion of the exam in the Campus Center on June 1.  All 18 students satisfactorily completed all the required practical stations. These students are now qualified to complete their EMT certification by taking a computer-based exam administered by the National Registry of EMTs. UMEMS is currently planning to run another program during the coming academic year.  Details of that program will be available on the UMEMS website later this summer.