The Ferrum College Emergency Services program was created through community partnership in response to an ongoing need for career pathways in paramedic and firefighting in the region. Our mission is to provide education and practical credentialing that helps develop leaders in emergency medical services including E.M.T., paramedic, and fire science and technology.
The Ferrum College Emergency Services program includes training and coursework in the emergency medical (both EMT and Paramedic) and fire science and technology fields. The curriculum is designed for flexible access by dual enrollment students, volunteer firefighters, and trainee and professionals in the emergency medical and firefighting fields. The curriculum was developed in collaboration with the Franklin Center and Franklin County Public Safety to meet needs in the Franklin County and surrounding areas while providing job training and experience for students.
The courses in this program are collected into three groups: emergency medical technician (EMT), paramedic, and fire science and technology. These groups of courses can be configured for certificates, Associate of Applied Science degrees, or interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degrees. The Emergency Services B.S. degree is an interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science degree that incorporates Paramedic and Fire Science components and does not require a minor.
The Paramedic is an allied health professional whose primary focus is to provide advanced emergency medical care for critical and emergent patients who access the emergency medical system. This individual possesses the complex knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation for emergent patients. Paramedics function as part of a comprehensive EMS response, under medical oversight. Paramedics perform interventions with the basic and advanced equipment typically found on an advanced life support ambulance or response vehicle. The Paramedic is a link from the scene into the health care system.
Firefighters control and put out fires and respond to emergencies involving life, property, or the environment.
An Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) provides out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for patients who access the emergency medical services (EMS) system. EMTs have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to provide basic level care and safely transport patients ranging from non-emergency and routine medical transports to life threatening emergencies. Emergency Medical Technicians function as part of a comprehensive EMS response system, under medical oversight and typically with advanced level care resources. Emergency Medical Technicians perform basic interventions with the basic equipment typically found on a basic life support ambulance. Emergency Medical Technicians are a critical link between the scene of an emergency and the health care system.
List of required courses needed to take and pass in order to receive certificate.
Designed to train the student in care of the patient at the scene of an accident or sudden severe illness and during transportation to the hospital. The Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) integrates signs and symptoms and intervenes accordingly, and operates ambulance equipment necessary for lifesaving care. 5 hours, 5 credits.
This course expands on the EMT – Basic curriculum. Advanced patient assessment knowledge and skills will be integrated throughout the course as well as critical decision making. Skills include IV access and fluid therapy as well as administration of aspirin, 50% dextrose, Narcan, Atrovent, epinephrine, glucagon and nitroglycerine. Prerequisite: EMS 110. 4 hours, 4 credits.
This course provides fundamental knowledge relating to the field of fire prevention. Topics include: history and philosophy of fire prevention, organization and operation of a fire prevention bureau, use and application of codes and standards, plans review, fire inspections, fire and life safety education, and fire investigation. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course introduces the basic concepts of occupational health and safety as it relates to emergency service organizations. Topics include risk and hazard evaluation and control procedures for emergency service organizations. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course will address the federal, state and local laws that regulate emergency services and include a review of national standards, regulations and consensus standards. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course provides the components of building construction related to firefighter and life safety. The elements of construction and design of structures are shown to be key factors when inspecting buildings, preplanning fire operations and operating at emergencies. Prerequisite: FST 210. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course provides information relating to the features of design and operation of fire alarm systems, water-based fire suppression systems, special hazard fire suppression systems, water supply for fire protection, and portable fire extinguishers. Prerequisite: FST 210. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course is intended to provide the student with the fundamentals and technical knowledge needed for proper fire scene interpretations, including recognizing and conducting origin and cause, preservation of evidence and documentation, scene security, motives of the fire setter, and types of fire causes. Prerequisite: FST 210. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course provides the principles of fire ground control through utilization of personnel, equipment and extinguishing agents. Prerequisite: FST 220. 3 hours, 3 credits.
This course introduces the student to the organization and management of a fire and emergency services department and the relationship of government agencies to the fire service. Emphasis is placed on fire and emergency service ethics and leadership from the perspective of the company officer. Prerequisite: FST 230. 3 hours, 3 credits.
