By Justin Schorr
President Obama’s January 8th proposal of two years of free community college to those willing to work for it is a big step forward in removing the financial barrier for paramedics and firefighters to obtain an associate’s degree.
The American Technical Training Fund announced by the White House will save a full-time student $3,800 per year. That amount should make any medic or firefighter give this serious consideration. The White House plan is modeled on the Tennessee Promise plan, a state effort to produce a stronger, more qualified workforce.
Community college offers a wide variety of programs and caters to those already working with night and weekend courses. For those who have considered college, but are deterred by the price tag, this proposed program offers significant savings on tuition.
EMS and firefighting is changing
For those just starting a career in EMS, get ready for things to change. We’re no longer simply stopping bleeding and giving chest compressions; instead we’re expanding into new aspects of medical care. Along with this expanded role, there must also be an expansion of education and training – the kind that most community colleges offer.
For firefighters, the department is evolving rapidly into an all-hazards agency that includes providing skilled rescue and hazard abatement services. Add that to the ever increasing 911 response and community paramedic interventions and a firefighter no longer simply fights fire.
An EMS or Fire Science associate’s degree may include EMT and paramedic training, along with internship opportunities to make you a quality candidate for employment in both the public and private sector.
College degree is much more than the paper
A college degree isn’t just a piece of paper on the wall and a line on your resume. It is a set of skills, experiences and accomplishments universally recognized in our society.
Are you good at studying? How’s your reading retention? When was the last time you had to research a topic you didn’t know about?
These skills – studying, retention, synthesis, and research – are essential to adapt and evolve with the modern fire and EMS profession. All of these skills can be learned and practiced at your local community college.
Earning an associate’s degree in emergency medical services or fire science tells me and potential employers that for at least two years you learned a specific set of skills and information, as well as the techniques to retain that information. And you did so with a certain level of quality.
As an employer and officer, I need those traits in the personnel working on my ambulances.
Go back to school!
For those of you already in the field, this is a great opportunity to look beyond the merit badge certification classes that are so common in our field and branch out. Returning to school may be a challenge, but then again, so is modern EMS and fire. You will be better prepared to treat complicated patients, research and suggest new treatments and protocols, and more qualified for the next promotional exam.
An associate’s degree increases your qualification and capability to become an EMS instructor or supervisor. When the hiring manager asks, “What have you done to prepare for this promotion?” you will be able to proudly describe completing your degree and all the skills, knowledge and abilities that come with it.
Personnel with an associate’s degree may also be eligible for pay bonuses or incentives. If the cost of tuition has been keeping you from moving forward, this plan could greatly impact your future earnings.
Proposed American Technical Training Fund
Specific details of the White House proposal have yet to be released. The $3,800 is for tuition and not for book, housing or lab fees. The American Technical Training Fund aims to award programs that offer “work-based learning opportunities,” accommodate part-time work and strive for ingenuity in application.
Under the proposal, federal funding will cover three-quarters of the average cost of community college. States participating in the program will be expected to contribute the remaining funds necessary to eliminate the tuition for eligible students.
Eligible programs must be transferrable towards a four-year degree or provide occupational training for in-demand degrees and certificates. This means that two years of credits puts you on track towards a bachelor’s degree and achieving even more success.
Get your application ready
EMS and fire are in need of a dramatic reimagining of the way in which we teach, train and inspire new personnel. One day soon a two-year college degree will be as common as a high school diploma and will raise the bar for education standards throughout our industry. If you haven’t already researched programs in your area, now is the time to take a look and crunch the numbers. Meanwhile, all fire and EMS personnel should encourage congressional approval of this White House proposal.
About the author
Justin Schorr is a paramedic captain with the San Francisco Fire Department. He completed his Bachelor’s Degree in EMS at the University of New Mexico in 2002 and speaks on a number of EMS and fire topics Nationwide. You can reach him at theHappyMedic@gmail.com or theHappyMedic,com website.