Near the end of the 2024 school year, while students were busy selecting classes and figuring out schedule selections, several seniors were surprised to notice a new, unfamiliar course being offered: an EMT training class dedicated to preparing students for the medical field. Whether they’re interested in pursuing a career or just hoping to learn, 14 students took a leap into the new program and formed Woodford High School’s first EMT class. Supervised by Freeman Bailey, the Woodford EMS Director, and instructed by active EMS professionals, the program provides in-depth training and focuses on preparing Woodford’s youth for the future.
Over the course of the year, students will learn everything they need to be an Emergency Medical Technician, and will receive an EMT certification after passing the course, providing them the opportunity to go straight into the workforce as a part of the Emergency Service system. Even if students don’t plan to have a career as an EMT, this program lays the foundation for them to progress into the medical field even before they enter college, allowing them to study with practical skills and experience that the majority of students won’t have.
The program, which normally takes place over just three months, spans the entire school year, allowing students to go more in-depth on the topics they are covering and gain real-world experience out in the field. They will ride along on real calls with professionals, observing active medical care and even assisting with injured patients as the year progresses. “The extra time is really helpful because it’s letting us focus on building a high level of hands-on experience for the students,” Marisa Jordan, one of the EMT Program’s instructors, shared. “Our goal is for students to graduate feeling confident and competent in their skills, ensuring they are ready to actually work as an EMT.”
In just the first month of school, students have already learned how to perform CPR, operate stretchers, and move injured patients. With textbooks to study and heavy homework loads on top of the hands-on learning, the seniors in the EMT Program are working hard to develop their skills, and they will come out of this program with the same experience as an EMT who has been in the field for an entire year. “It isn’t a typical high school course, but the students have been resilient and are now really thriving,” Jordan stated. “The initial phase was a major adjustment, but as we’ve moved into the hands-on parts of the program, the classroom’s energy has really grown.”
One of the Woodford Seniors taking the class, Ella Clark-Thompson, is finding the new EMT Program to be incredibly beneficial: “It’s honestly going really well and I really enjoy it. The hands-on experience is awesome. We got to strap down and restrain one of our EMT instructors the other day for a lesson and it was really fun.”
Regarding student’s futures, the program is also paving the way for careers and providing stepping stones to kids who want to pursue higher education. “It’s what I want to do when I get out of high school,” Clark-Thompson shared, diving into the personal aspects of her connection to being an EMT. “Growing up, I had a mother with cancer, and I had to take care of her a lot, so it helped me see things a different way, and made me want to help people.” Many of the program’s students have had experiences that pushed them towards the medical field, and offering it as a class for Woodford seniors has given students accessible opportunities to a path they otherwise might not have pursued. As Jordan put it, “This certification is more than just a job qualification; it’s an exceptional foundation for any career in the medical field.” The program’s graduates will be able to walk out of school with the training for a career as an EMT, and any students interested in pursuing more in the medical field will have a significant advantage.
