HARRISBURG, Pa. – On March 5, 2024, students in the Paramedic Program at HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, will participate in a 24-hour shift designed to recreate what they will experience in the workforce.

HACC students will attend their regular class for eight hours, then spend 16 hours running mock calls and taking care of simulated patients. Rest and meal breaks are built into the schedule, as they are in real-world 24-hour shifts.

The drill will occur at the Senator John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center on the College’s Harrisburg Campus. It is scheduled near the end of the program and marks the capstone phase in which students have learned medical and trauma content. This exercise will challenge students to recall information during a demanding shift, which is true to what happens in the field.

Fire service and emergency medical services (EMS) employers use 24-hour shifts to cover their schedules. John Brindle, EMS director at HACC, said, “The 24-hour shift will give students hands-on, real-life experience that will equip them with the skills to thrive in their future careers as paramedics. The experience is made possible with the cooperation of our instructional staff and the participation of local public safety agencies.”

To learn more about HACC’s Paramedic Program, please visit hacc.edu/PublicSafetyCenter.

About HACC
HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, is the first and largest of Pennsylvania’s 15 community colleges. HACC offers approximately 100 career and transfer associate degree, certificate and diploma programs to approximately 14,023 students. Also, the College serves students at its Gettysburg, Harrisburg, Lancaster, Lebanon and York campuses; through virtual learning; and via workforce development and continuing education training. For more information on how HACC is uniquely YOURS, visit hacc.edu. Also, follow us on Twitter (@HACC_info), follow us on Instagram (@HACC_edu), like us on Facebook (Facebook.com/HACC64) and use #HACCNews.