TUCSON, Ariz. (KGUN) — There’s a new program at Pima Community College that is teaching people the skills they need for jobs but at much quicker pace. One of those programs is the EMT program where the students learn basic life saving skills in about 10 weeks.
The students learn different scenarios in a mock apartment with different simulation technology. In the EMT fast track program students are in class for five hours, three days a week, compared to the regular course which is two days a week.
Amanda Abens, the dean of workforce development at PCC, oversees all the public safety and first responder programs. She said the fast track program is a way for people to get skills and fill the demand in the workforce.
"And you’re still getting the same training but it’s that we do it in a shorter time frame," Abens said. "So that becomes more intense for the students that means every week the learner is going to have to put in more study time, more practice time.”
The EMT program director Brandy Randolph worked in the field for over 20 years and he said it's there is a huge need for first responder that are well trained through a rigorous course.
"These are the responders that are going to respond to myself, my family and anyone out there if they come from Pima, we want to make sure that they’ve been through a rigorous course," he said. "Whether it’s the fire department losing people to retirement or attrition, we need to keep this funnel going.”
If you would like to sign up for the program, the link can be found here.
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