Dec. 23, 2011

HARRISBURG – For those interested in becoming an emergency medical technician, the 140-hour EMT-Basic course is being offered at a number of sites in the region through the Sen. John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College.

“HACC is committed to bringing its EMT-Basic course to as many people as possible,” said Rob Bernini, EMT-P, training institute administrative director/instructional program coordinator, Shumaker Public Safety Center. “In doing so, we offer the basic course at varied dates and times throughout a six-county region.”

An EMT is a member of an ambulance team with the knowledge and skills required to provide basic pre-hospital emergency care.

Upon successful completion of HACC’s EMT-basic program, participants will be able to perform complex skills such as spinal immobilization, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), assisting patients with medications, performing patient assessments, performing CPR and taking vital signs.

Successful students will be eligible to take the Pennsylvania Department of Health practical and written certification exams. The certification exam is required to become an EMT. Many students also use the EMT training program to obtain entry level positions in healthcare fields or may be used as an elective toward a HACC degree program.

Tuition, including textbook, stethoscope, and pocket mask is $425 and must be paid in full when registering. Registration will close two weeks prior to the start date of classes. Students must be 16 years old to enroll. No on-site registrations will be accepted.

Upcoming classes are scheduled at the following locations:

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 12-Aug. 9, at the HACC Gettysburg Campus, 731 Old Harrisburg, Road.

6:30-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 23-May 30, at the Hampden Township EMS building, 295 S. Sporting Hill Road, Mechanicsburg.

6:30-10 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, Jan. 24-May 31 or 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 7-Aug. 1, both at HACC’s Sen. John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center on the Harrisburg Campus, One HACC Drive.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, June 7-Aug. 1, at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center, 101 Champ Blvd., Manheim.

6:30-10 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays, Jan. 9-May 23 or 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesdays and every other Sunday, Jan. 11-May 9, both at A.R.E.A. Services, 300 W. Water St., Shamokin.

8 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays, June 12-Aug. 9, at the York County Fire School, 330 Emig Road, York.

For more information about the certification programs or to register, call the EMS education Unit at the HACC Shumaker Public Safety Center at 717-780-1979. Updated schedules can be found at www.hacc.edu/publicsafetycenter.