Bamberg, South Carolina (September 2021) – On Tuesday, September 21, 2021, Denmark Technical College celebrated the graduation of eleven Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) recruits in COVID-19 friendly ceremony. This inaugural class of Denmark Tech EMT Academy were formally welcomed as full-fledged EMTs with Medshore serving communities in Bamberg County.
Medshore selected the top eleven applicants to participate in a rigorous and competitive process. Once selected, applicants went through placement testing required by the College. Classes started on June 21st and ended on September 15th. Students completed 200 hours of training and mandatory clinical time on the ambulance. Upon completion of practical and written testing, students will begin their careers as full-fledged EMTs with Medshore. The apprentices may also continue to train to become paramedics.
“This is a wonderful program that provides opportunity and needed training for important jobs especially in these times,” Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston said. “We thank MedShore and Denmark Tech for stepping up and providing this service to Bamberg and Barnwell citizens.”
The $2,500 course was offered at no cost to participants thanks to a grant from the South Carolina Department of Labor through Apprenticeship Carolina. This is the first Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Academy in what will be an ongoing collaboration between Denmark Technical College and Medshore Ambulance Service. Through the apprenticeship program, students can begin employment with Medshore and attend class at the same time with an earn while you learn model.
“We are elated to graduate this first class of EMT students and cannot wait to see the impact they make on the community. Although this course is accelerated, it is in no way abbreviated. The students faced the demands of a rigorous course load with the added challenges of learning in a COVID-19 culture and came through with flying colors. We are excited to continue bringing this EMT course to the citizens of our service area. It’s just one of the many ways we are putting the TECH back in Denmark Tech,” said Dr. Willie L. Todd, Jr., president and CEO of Denmark Technical College, who expressed gratitude to the class for their commitment to service.
Bamberg County Councilman Evert Comer Jr., personally greeted graduates and thanked Denmark Tech, MedShore and Bamberg County officials for developing the program, addressing the problem of trained EMT professionals to hire. “It’s pioneering. It’s an innovative partnership to provide trained personnel to serve rural communities such as Bamberg County,” Comer said. “We are excited for this graduating class and the contributions they will make in enhancing emergency services in our county.”
Also in attendance to celebrate graduates with Comer were Dr. A. Clifton Myles, executive vice president of Denmark Tech, Mr. Robert Crenshaw of ReadySC. Phillip Clarke and Shawanda Boulware of Medshore Ambulance Services, Shelby Elise Simmons, director of workforce development, and a host of family and friends.
The next EMT class begins in October at Denmark Tech. Interested students can fill out the interest form at www.medshore.com/careers/.
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For more information on this press release, email info@bambergcounty.sc.gov.