Charleston County Emergency Medical Services Begins EMS Academy

Press Release

Charleston County’s inaugural EMS Academy began on Friday, February 24th with 18 students enrolled. The academy offers a paid training opportunity that will qualify each employee to test for their National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians Certification and continue employment as an Emergency Medical Technician with Charleston County EMS.

This new program provides residents with no medical experience the opportunity to join the team as an employee and train prior to taking the certification tests, followed by a transition to the field as an Emergency Medical Technician rendering life saving care to the community.

“The EMS Academy is about creating an opportunity for people to better themselves while bettering their community,’ said EMS Chief Abrams. “The students are paid employees learning emergency medicine and obtaining required certifications who will then move into operating an ambulance with other trained Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. These kinds of programs are the future of our industry.”

The class is expected to last about three months and continued employment with Charleston County EMS is contingent upon passing the National Registry exam. Charleston County EMS plans to hold two to three classes annually. Course participants are paid $16/hour and after the EMT certification is complete, pay increases to $18.12/hour.

“This program is the first of its kind for Charleston County EMS,” said Deputy Chief Nathaniel Bialek, lead program instructor. “We are developing staff to be the future leaders of our organization with the hallmarks of our industry and department; honesty, integrity, and kindness.”

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