By EMS1 Staff
SAGINAW, Mich. — An ambulance service is offering free paramedic classes in an effort to fight the nationwide shortage
WNEM reported that Mobile Medical Response is using a grant from the state to offer a seven week emergency medical training course free of charge, and is even paying students $9 an hour to attend.
MMR member Jason MacDonald said the only stipulation is that students must continue their education and become a paramedic after the course ends.
“The program requires some commitment and you have to have a desire to serve others, but it’s an opportunity unlike any that I’ve ever seen before,” MacDonald said.
MMR is also increasing the starting wage to attract more recruits.
“The starting wage for a paramedic coming out of these programs is approaching $16 an hour and that quickly moves up into the mid-20s within 10 years,” MacDonald said.