PTC to Provide EMT Certificate in Newberry County

People’s lives often depend on the quick reaction and competent care of emergency medical technicians (EMTs). Piedmont Technical College has been providing education to prepare students in Greenwood to become certified EMTs. Beginning spring 2015, PTC will offer an EMT curriculum leading to a certificate in Newberry County. The EMT certificate will be offered at the Lake Murray Public Safety Complex in Prosperity.

“We are excited for this partnership and thankful for the Lake Murray Public Safety Complex officials for opening their facility and allowing us to be here,” said Dr. Jack Bagwell, vice president for academic affairs. “We look forward to the opportunity to bring this training to the students of this area.”

Both Piedmont Tech and Lake Murray EMS saw a need for this course. As part of the partnership, Lake Murray EMS will be providing the necessary equipment and space to teach the EMT courses. Classes will be offered in the evenings on variable days with some Saturday classes.

The course is being offered as a continuing education course as well as an academic credit course. Those enrolled in the academic portion are eligible for financial aid. Students from either approach who successfully complete the coursework and clinical hours will be eligible to take the National Registry certifying examination.

To enroll in the course, students must be 18 years of age, have no felony convictions, have appropriate placement scores, initiate a hepatitis B series by the first day of class and have the ability to lift 125 lbs.

“We’re looking forward to having this EMT training available to the people in our community,” said Gary Seibert, Lake Murray rescue squad chief.

For more information on the EMT course, contact Deborah Hoffman at (864) 941-8426 or at hoffman.d@ptc.edu. 

Photo Caption: Piedmont Technical College and Lake Murray Emergency Medical Services will be partnering to offer the emergency medical technician certificate at the Lake Murray Public Safety Complex in Prosperity. Pictured are, from left, Ronnie Connelly, PTC EMT instructor; Dr. Jennifer Wilbanks, PTC associate vice president for academic affairs and off-campus; Rodney Bedenbaugh, fire chief for Fairview/O’Neal Fire Department; Gary Seibert, Lake Murray rescue squad chief; Dr. Jerry Alewine, PTC dean of health science; Dr. Jack Bagwell, PTC vice president for academic affairs; and Deborah Hoffman, PTC continuing education program manager for health and safety.