First round of cadets completes expedited EMS training at Del Mar College

As Corpus Christi Fire Department cadets were recognized by friends, family and city officials Thursday evening at Del Mar College, one word kept coming up: pioneer.

The 22 future firefighters were celebrated for their completion of an innovative paramedic training program. The cadets were the first people in the country to attempt a simultaneous, expedited emergency medical technician and paramedic training course.

EMT and paramedic certifications are typically offered as separate courses, one after the other. The Corpus Christi Fire Department requires cadets to earn both certifications in addition to firefighter certification.

The new Del Mar College program cut the timeline by at least three months.

"This model is the future of how fire departments across the country will be training future firefighters and paramedics," CCFD Chief Robert Rocha said.

Donovan Dillon participated in the program, earned his paramedic certification and is near completion of firefighter training.

"I'm honestly ready to hit the ground running and get to work serving our community," Dillon said. "It's kind of our ultimate goal, so the faster we get trained and pass our tests and meet the qualifications, the better."

Melissa Stuive, the college's public service department chair and EMS program director, brought the pilot program to DMC after the idea of an expedited program was introduced in the Governor’s EMS and Trauma Advisory Council Education Committee.

"Sometime around the mid-’70s, paramedics were created in Texas," Macara Trusty, chair of the state advisory council's education committee, said in a video message played during the ceremony. "Since then, it has essentially been done the same way. ... Well, we know now that's inefficient and it's not necessarily proven to be the best way."

Stuive said the expedited model is more in line with how other medical professionals train.

"You don't have to be a (certified nursing assistant) before you can become a nurse," Stuive said. "You don't need to be a (physician assistant) before you can become a physician."

Programming to make paramedic training more efficient is significant, Stuive said.

Last year, the Texas Legislature approved $21.7 million to support EMS education and recruitment in response to a severe shortage of EMS professionals, particularly in rural areas.

Stuive said the simultaneous certification program was offered to the cadets first to test how the program could be applied to different groups of students. Weatherford College in North Texas is testing a similar program for traditional students.

DMC is currently training another round of CCFD cadets.

"We've proven that it works," Rocha said. "We can graduate young men and women for fire department career positions, but we can do it in a more timely manner."

Olivia Garrett reports on education and community news in South Texas. Contact her at olivia.garrett@caller.com. You can support local journalism with a subscription to the Caller-Times.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: CCFD cadets complete expedited EMS training at Del Mar College