Mich. College to Offer College Credits for Paramedic Training
July 26--TRAVERSE CITY -- A new partnership between Munson Healthcare and Northwestern Michigan College will offer college credit to emergency responders who successfully complete a paramedic training course.
Course participants lauded the partnership's benefits as they watched classmates triage a simulated victim during a recent emergency training scenario outside Munson Community Health Center.
"I want to get more education to help my department and help my community," said Mike Ball, a full-time member of Leland Township's fire and rescue department.
The first round of paramedic classes offered by Munson Regional EMS Education under the new arraignment started this month. Students must possess three years experience as a certified EMT to enroll in the course.
Those who successfully complete the course will earn 43 credits toward an associate degree in applied science for paramedics from NMC, said Daryl Case, manager of Munson Regional EMS Education.
Paramedics will then need to complete, at a minimum, 18 credits at NMC in order to earn a degree.
Jeff Hester, a course participant who works full time for Leelanau Township Emergency services, said more and more public safety departments want to hire paramedics who possess college degrees and advanced training.
"It's the increasing standard of care," Hester said.
Kathryn Walters serves with the Suttons Bay Bingham Fire Department. Walters said she enrolled in the Munson-NMC program because she hopes to some day earn a degree in fire science en route to becoming a fire and emergency responder instructor.
Walters, Ball and Hester all agreed that the Munson-NMC program offers an important, local education option for the Grand Traverse area's first responders.
"Otherwise we'd have to drive to Petoskey or Baker College in Cadillac," she said.
Copyright 2015 - The Record-Eagle, Traverse City, Mich.
