They now return to serving their local communities as certified paramedics
In a news release dated December 16, 2024, Yavapai Community College (YCC) announced that ten paramedics have successfully completed the College’s rigorous training program and are now certified to serve their local communities. Many of the graduates are already affiliated with first-responder agencies such as the Prescott Fire Department, the Central Arizona Fire and Medical Authority, the Copper Canyon Fire District, and the Groom Creek and Cottonwood Fire Departments.
Dr. Chris Lampe, an emergency room physician and Yavapai Community College’s EMS Medical Program Director, praised the graduates for their dedication and perseverance. “You completed a very difficult course while balancing full-time jobs and family responsibilities—that’s truly commendable,” said Dr. Lampe.
The graduates are part of Yavapai Community College’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) training program. EMS is a coordinated system that provides skilled pre-hospital care to individuals in emergency situations. While EMS is often recognized for its vehicles, helicopters, and frontline workforce, it represents far more than transportation to the hospital. It is an integrated system of emergency medical response that involves numerous highly trained professionals and agencies, prepared to handle any type of emergency, whether or not hospital transport is required.
Yavapai Community College offers four distinct pathways for students seeking to join the EMS field:
- Associate of Applied Science in Paramedicine
- Paramedicine Certificate
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certificate
- Community Health/Critical Care Paramedic Certificate