Shaina Whitkanack, BRTC Firefighter Essentials Student and Lily Luster, WRHS
POCAHONTAS, AR Nov. 18—On Friday, October 29, Black River Technical College held a Firefighter and EMT-Paramedic Showcase on both campuses, Paragould and Pocahontas. High school students from Greene County Tech, Paragould, Marmaduke, Brookland, Walnut Ridge, Sloan-Hendrix, and Corning and Maynard attended the showcase.
Matthew Smith, EMT-Paramedic Program Director, discussed his program’s requirements and described what skills EMT-Paramedic students learn such as patient assessment, drug administration, EKG interpretation, and patient intubations. Smith explained that students completing the EMT-Paramedic program will find job opportunities in municipal fire departments, private ambulance services, hospitals, and private industries. At the end of his presentation, Director Smith gave student the opportunity to try to properly intubate and administer oxygen to a simulation mannequin.
Alan Haskins, BRTC’s Fire Science Program Director, gave an overview of his program, explaining that BRTC has been training firefighters for over 30 years, many of whom have been promoted to lieutenants, chiefs, and other administrative positions and have won a variety of awards. Director Haskins also discussed the employment opportunities students will have upon completing the Firefighter Essentials program. After his presentation, the students had the opportunity to try on firefighter turnouts and oxygen packs and explore the BRTC fire truck.
The Pocahontas Fire Department graciously provided lunch for all of the students who attended the showcase.
For more information about BRTC’s Firefighters Essentials program, visit https://blackrivertech.org/academics/service-programs/fire-training, and for more information about BRTC’s EMT-Paramedic Program visit https://blackrivertech.org/academics/allied-health/emt-paramedic-program.