Officials Say Riverside County Needs More EMTs; MSJC Answers The Call

MENIFEE, CA — The fall term at Mt. San Jacinto College concluded with 74 students successfully completing course work to become certified emergency medical technicians, campus officials announced Tuesday.

The graduates finished the college's 18-week EMT program at different intervals in recent weeks, receiving their medical technician "pins" and graduation certificates, enabling them to sit for the National EMT Certification Examination, according to MSJC.

The program is offered at both the main San Jacinto campus and the Menifee satellite campus.

Enrollees are provided ambulance ride-alongs, hands-on simulations, internships and a bevy of related academic drills that emphasize "real-world preparedness, equipping students with the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively in emergency situations," according to a campus statement.

Among the graduates was 44-year-old Nicolas Piepenbrink of Hemet, diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Though his lifelong goal has been to become an EMT, previous efforts faltered due to challenges with the methods of instruction, officials said. However, he praised the teaching practices at MSJC, which provided the means for him to readily grasp the concepts and attain success at the end of the 18-week session.

"I finally felt like I was learning in a way that worked for me," he said. "The excellent support from my instructors made all the difference."

Riverside County requires that even basic life-support ambulances be staffed by EMTs. Some ambulances also have certified paramedics aboard.

The county has a long-standing contract with American Medical Response to handle all calls for medical aid, when required, countywide.

The county Emergency Management Department has regularly pointed to the need for greater numbers of EMTs and paramedics to handle growing demand.

Additional details on the MSJC program are available at www.msjc.edu/nursingandalliedhealth/emergencymedicalservices.