Pamlico Community College to offer paramedic training

Thanks to work initiated by the late Rufus Brinson, former Director of the Continuing Education Fire/Emergency Services Programs at Pamlico Community College, in concert with Jane Sobotor, Paramedic Program Coordinator and Dale Holadia, Basic and Intermediate EMS Program Coordinator, PCC will offer its first paramedic course beginning in July.

Currently, Pamlico Community College offers training leading to certification in Medical Responder, Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic and Intermediate. The new paramedic course will train emergency medical personnel to provide more advanced treatment in trauma situations.

The first class will begin July 7. Students who enroll and take the prescribed course of study will complete the paramedic training in October 2009.

Persons interested in this training and learning more about the pre-requisites should contact Misty Rasmussen, mrassmussen@pamlicocc.edu, 252-249-1851, ext. 3019. Rasmussen said, "Being able to offer paramedic training takes PCC to a higher level of Advanced Life Support courses for students in the Emergency Medical Services programs. With the cost of gasoline making the cost of travel so expensive, many area persons with EMT-I certification can now take the next step in their training right here at our college without having to leave Pamlico County."

Glenn DeMunck, Dean of Continuing Education, praised the work of Sobotor, Holadia and Brinson in preparing the college to offer this training. "Rufus was very passionate about expanding our role in these areas and he worked so well with Jane Sobotor and Dale Holadia to make this happen. I see the day when the first students complete training in 2009 as a day to pay tribute to Jane, Dale and to Rufus. Students here will forever benefit from the groundwork laid by the late Rufus Brinson."