A partnership between The City of Saint Paul, the Saint Paul Fire Department, Ramsey County Workforce Solutions, Goodwill Easter Seals, and Inver Hills Community College
Welcome to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ACADEMY project. The EMS ACADEMY is an intensive Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and firefighter awareness program.
Summer 2010 EMS Academy June 14 - August 20, 2010
Classes will be held Monday and Wednesday 830am-430pm and Fridays 830am-1230pm
Click here to download the Summer 2010 application (Deadline to apply: April 30, 2010
Congratulations Fall 2009 Academy Graduates!
Thank you IBEW for hosting the class!
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Graduation: December 17, 2009 - 5pm at
Dayton's Bluff Rec Center
(click here to see
invitation)
 Summer Graduates being sworn-in by Chief Butler |
 September 10, 2009 Graduation |
Congratulations Summer 2009 Graduates!
Summer Graduation Video from St. Paul City Cable
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Course links for Participants:
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Reference Links for Participants
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Supported by
Council Member Melvin Carter
Council Member Pat Harris
Council Member Kathy Lantry
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 110
United Way of Greater Twin Cities Area
Firefighter's United
Goodwill Easter Seals
The Emergency Medical Services (EMS) ACADEMY is an intensive Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and firefighter awareness program. The 240 hour program is designed for low income youth ages 18-24 that are residents of Ramsey county. Through the City of Saint Paul Parks and Recreation department Youth Job Corps (YJC) and Ramsey County Workforce Solutions the participants are hired and paid to attend the ten week certification and job competency program.
At the completion of the program graduates will be eligible to apply for EMT positions and take the Saint Paul Firefighter entrance test that will be administered in January 2010. Participants receive college credit for successfully completing the academy.
The goal of the program is to build an EMT workforce that is reflective of the communities that EMS serves in Saint Paul. Recruitment is targeted to low-income youth of diverse ethnicities, women, and bilingual ability.
The summer EMS Academy will begin July 6, 2009. A second academy is planned in the Fall 2009. The start date will be late September or early October 2009. Inver Hills Community College is providing instructional services for the academy.
Anecdotal evidence in the greater Twin Cities area would suggest that EMTs of non-Caucasian background are under-represented. Many barriers prevent low income city residents from becoming an EMT. Cost and location of training is difficult to access, academic and physical requirements are rigorous and not easily accessed. This results in few students of diverse ethnicity (Manson 2005 - Click here for research)
This is not a problem unique to Saint Paul, it's Fire Department or the local ambulance services located in the metro area. EMS professionals nationwide are predominantly white. The Longitudinal Emergency Medical Technician Attributes & Demographics Study (LEADS) project is a longitudinal study developed and managed by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) and the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA). This study (click here to see the complete report) shows 73% of the EMT workforce nationally to be white, and 79% of the paramedic workforce to be white.
Minnesota department of employment and economic development (DEED) data is projecting 17.8% growth in jobs for EMTs/paramedics from 2006-2016 (1,012 openings projected) and health care practitioners in general (61,000+ openings projected).(link)
Program Recruitment and Eligibility:
Gwen Peterson
East Corridor Service Area Coordinator
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation
(651) 266-6430
Media and Donations:
Luz Maria Frias, Director
Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity Department (HREEO)
City of Saint Paul
290 City Hall Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102
651.266.8900
651.266.8919 (fax)
Saint Paul Fire Department questions:
Terry Haltiner
Human Resources Deparment
Saint Paul Fire Department
Terry.Haltiner@ci.stpaul.mn.us
651-228-6220
Previous Course Site questions:
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local Union No. 110
Press release contact person:
Vicki Sandberg
vickis@ibew110.org
Instructional Questions:
David Page
EMS Instructor
Inver Hills Community College
dpage@ehs.net
651-450-8576; in case of emergency on call instructor: 651-755-1132
or
Kris Hanson
Customized Training Department Coordinator
(651)450-8696
July 13, 2009
Contact: James Lockwood, james.lockwood@stpaul.gov, 651.266.8571 (o),
651.226.7708 (m)
Saint Paul Launches First-in-the-State Program to Attract Minority Youth to EMS, Firefighting Careers Pilot academy allows young adults to earn while they learn
SAINT PAUL– A new Emergency Medical Services Academy will open doors for young adults from low-income households to careers in EMS and firefighting while helping Saint Paul close the achievement gap for students of color and women.
The first-in-the-state program – an extension of Mayor Chris Coleman’s Ready for School, Ready for Life education initiative – is a pilot that will pay 40 participants up to 25 hours a week while they go through one of two 10-week emergency medical technician certification programs. The academy is designed to provide opportunities for young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 to learn job skills and qualify them to take the firefighter test in Saint Paul, broadening the pool of applications for the fire department.
“We have a fire department in Saint Paul that is second to none, and we want to make sure that the professionals who make up our department reflect our diverse community. People often express a desire to join their ranks, but in this economy, few people can afford to quit their jobs and pay for training,” Mayor Chris Coleman said. “This pilot project is a stepping stone that gives participants a leg up by offering a paid training that will provide valuable skills and lead to EMT certification.”
“The City of Saint Paul – along with a variety of public and private partners – plays a critical role in providing employment to young people preparing to enter the workforce and building career skills. By leveraging the opportunities available from several of those programs, we’ve created a unique program that will pay young adults from our neighborhoods to learn a life-saving skill, earn a professional certification, overcome a significant financial hurdle into the workforce, and compete for high paying jobs in health care, education, and the fire service,” Fire Chief Tim Butler said.
A collaboration among Saint Paul, Ramsey County, and Inver Hills and Century community colleges, the pilot academy will hold classes three days a week. Students will be paid $7.50 an hour, based on attendance and participation, up to 25 hours each week. After successfully completing the training, participants will receive a certificate in Emergency Medical Services and qualify to take the EMT certification exam.
According to the state Department of Employment and Economic Development’s 2006 projections, the need for EMTs and paramedics was expected to grow nearly 18 percent in the next decade. A 2008 Longitudinal Emergency Medical Technician Attributes & Demographics Study found that only 28 percent of EMTs and paramedics are women and less than 25 percent are people of color nationwide.
“Saint Paul firefighters are called on every day to assist people from different cultures, who speak different languages and practice different religions – and the clock is always ticking,” said Councilmember Melvin Carter III, who secured support for the academy and actively recruited young adults to take advantage of the pilot program.
“For us a diverse, multilingual fire department isn’t just nice to have, it is absolutely critical to sustain the high quality public safety services our department is known for.”
“This initiative strengthens our community's economic capacity, access to new careers, and participation in a workforce that has promotional opportunities across many fields. The academy is the start of a new beginning that will have a generational impact for many of these families,” said Luz María Frías, director of Saint Paul’s Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity (HREEO). “We are grateful to all of the partners that made this happen.”
Financial support for this initiative was secured from The Saint Paul Foundation, F.R. Bigelow Foundation, Greater Twin Cites United Way, and The Otto Bremer Foundation as well as Allina Medical Transport, Fire Fighters United of Saint Paul, the Fire Supervisors Association and the Saint Paul NAACP. In addition, Saint Paul City Councilmembers Carter, Kathy Lantry, Russ Stark and Pat Harris each designated a portion of their COPP funds to make the academy possible.
As part of Mayor Coleman’s education initiative, the Emergency Medical Services Academy extends to older students and young adults workforce development and job skills training opportunities outside of the traditional classroom. With the health care sector representing one of the largest employment growth areas in the city, the academy is opening doors to living wage jobs for young adults growing up and living in Saint Paul.
“Our hospitals in Saint Paul have provided a huge growth sector for our economy. This academy will position our young adults for successful careers – with good pay and good benefits – in our hospitals, clinics, and fire department,” Mayor Coleman said.
- Graduation News Story Fox 9 News (10pm news lead story - December 17, 2009)
- Minnesota State Colleges and Universities Magazine article (December 2009) (look at Page 13)
- Graduation Video from the City of St. Paul Cable Channel (Sept. 15, 2009)
- Pioneer Press Article (Saturday July 11, 2009)
- Minnpost.com Article (Tuesday July 14, 2009)
- KARE 11 News - (5pm Tuesday July 14, 2009)
WCCO Article (July 15, 2009)
Saint Paul Legal Ledger Article (July 16, 2009)
SUMMER 2010 ACADEMY SCHEDULE has been announced
Click here to download the Summer 2010 application and information flyer
Information Session:- TBA
all recruitment sessions will be held
at Ramsey
County Court House,
15 West Kellogg, Room 40 A&B
SUMMER Academy Schedule: June 14, 2010 to August 20, 2010;
Class will meet on Mondays 830am-4:30pm, Wednesdays 830am-4:30pm and Fridays 830am-1230pm.at a location in the City of St. Paul to be announced at a later date.
20 applicants accepted; Tuition is free to those who apply, are eligible and are selected; Click here for information regarding eligibility requirements for the SUMMER 2010 EMS
If accepted into the EMS Academy, you will attend class and be paid an hourly wage
What does an EMT do? Where can an EMT work? and What are the income earnings I can expect as a certified EMT?
· EMT’s can be employed in hospitals, medical organizations, municipalities, assisted living facilities, factories, with paramedics, fire departments,…
· EMT Certification is required to be eligible for future paramedic training and to be hired as a Saint Paul Firefighter
· An EMT has the opportunity for advancement. There are a number of promotional opportunities and related positions including supervisors, instructors, dispatchers, and administrative directors. Sometimes an EMT will move into nursing or become a physician's assistant. Some even become physicians.
· In 2008, about 80 percent of EMTs and paramedics earned between $19,000 and $49,000.
· The top-paying employers for EMTs are state governments at about $46,000 median per year, and medical or diagnostic laboratories and home health care services at about $41,000.
!!!!! Earn while you learn !!!!!
Emergency Medical Technician - and Firefighter Awareness
!!!! EARN AN HOURLY WAGE WHILE YOU EARN A CERTIFICATION !!!!
Summer Session: 20 applicants accepted
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Tuition is free to those who apply and are eligible for the Youth Job Corps-Young Adult Program |
How do I apply?
Complete the application and submit it by April 30, 2010
When would the academy begin?
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Start Date: |
Monday, June 14, 2010 |
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End Date: |
Friday August 20, 2010 |
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Class Location: |
TBA |
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Meets: |
Monday,
Wednesday 8:30 – 4:30 pm |
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Instruction: |
Provided by Inver Hills Community College and Century College |
Conducted by |
City of Saint Paul, Ramsey County, Inver Hills Community College, and Century College |
and hosted by |
The St. Paul Fire Department |
For more information about the EMS Academy and the Youth Job Corps Young Adults Program call 651-266-8900
YOUTH JOB CORPS – YOUNG ADULTS SUMMER EMPLOYMENT
EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES (EMS) SUMMER ACADEMY
EMERGENCY MEDICAL TECHNICIAN (EMT)
!!!! EARN AN HOURLY WAGE WHILE YOU EARN A CERTIFICATION !!!!
HOW?
· You must be between the ages of 18-21 to earn a wage as part of YJC program.
· You must live in Ramsey County
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Download an Youth Job Corps-Young Adult
application at this link:
Complete and submit the application online by April 30, 2010.
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· Interview will be required for acceptance into the academy
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· If accepted into the EMS Academy, you will attend class and be paid an hourly wage of $7.50 per hour (19-21yrs; 18yr olds will earn minimum wage), for up to 25 hours a week, for 10 weeks, based on attendance and participation.
· When you successfully complete the 10 weeks of training you will earn a certificate in Emergency Medical Services and can become an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)