SCCC adds fire, EMS associate programs

Priority enrollment ends Aug. 7

Course offerings will heat up this fall in Mancos when Southwest Colorado Community College (SCCC) West Campus adds Fire Science Technology and EMS classes.

“SCCC has seen a significant increase of students in the EMS program in the past few years and has received many calls for paramedic or firefighter training which is why we are bringing the classes to this region,” said Troy Salazar, coordinator of SCCC’s EMS and Fire Science programs.

Anyone interested in attending classes or would like more information is encouraged to attend an information meeting at the Mancos campus at 6 p.m. on Monday, July 13. The College will provide details about both programs as well as explain the registration process. The meeting will be held in the Health Science Building on the west side of the campus located at 33057 Highway 160 between Mancos and Cortez.

The associate’s degree programs will be offered at the West Campus starting this fall semester with classes beginning Aug. 24, with enrollment open now and priority registration ending Aug. 7. The Basic Life Support EMS programs will continue to be offered at SCCC East campus in Durango.

In the world of fire and emergency operation, conditions change quickly as does the knowledge needed to lead the response. With experienced and knowledgeable instructors with years of real-life experience, the Fire Science Technology and EMS classes at SCCC provide students the real-world skills and know-how using the latest industry principles, theory and best practices. The EMS program includes paramedic training and the Fire Science includes many certifications to include Firefighter I, Firefighter II, Wildland Firefighting and others as a part of the training.

“SCCC will incorporate high-fidelity simulation scenario training and clinical/internship experiences with several local agencies or clinical sites. In addition to local training, students will have the option to travel to other locations within the Four Corners region and state,” said Salazar.

Paramedics are recognized in Colorado for an advanced life support out-of-hospital emergency medical responder and respond with many local agencies. On the most recent National Registry of EMTs, SCCC’s pass rate is 92% for EMTs and 100% for EMT-Intermediates.

For more information, contact Troy Salazar at 970.247.2929 ext. 7206 or by email at troy.salazar@pueblocc.edu, or call the Go!Zone at 970.247.2929 in Durango or 970.564.6200 in Mancos.