Dare County EMS Celebrates Graduation of Seven Paramedics from COA Program

Manteo – An eminent victory was celebrated on the grounds of Dare County Administration Building as the Dare County EMS honored the graduation of seven employees who successfully accomplished the College of The Albemarle’s (COA) Advanced EMT to Paramedic program.

The graduates — Ian Dudek, Cara Hanrahan, Jesse Moore, Codie Patterson, Toby Paz, Tyler Roberts, and Matthew Stankavich— received their certificates in a ceremony held in their honour on May 23, 2024.

Revolutionizing Career Paths

Unlike the standard approach that would necessitate attendance to a 12-month paramedic program, the graduates are the proud product of an innovative, accelerated Internal Paramedic Academy. This trailblazing program was co-created by Dare County EMS and COA to assist their current staff members with the opportunity to advance their professional standing while maintaining their incumbent work obligations.

The Rigorous Journey

The paramedic aspirants embarked on this intense journey from October 2, 2023 through May 15, 2024. During these seven months, they were engrossed in a program that demanded over a thousand hours of intensive training. Besides weekly lectures, labs, and field time with experienced paramedic preceptors, the students also rendered their regular services to their communities following the public safety schedule, displaying an admirable commitment to their work.

Strategically Filling Vacancies

The accomplishment of these paramedic graduates is twofold — it enables their professional growth while strategically mitigating the challenge of external hiring to cover existing vacancies. Functioning within an accelerated program while adhering to their 53-hour/week work schedule, these graduates serve as an inspiration for EMS, fire departments, and law enforcement personnel nationwide to utilize community college resources and advance their professional stature confidently.

Championing Life Saving Capabilities

The significance of paramedics within any community’s life-saving infrastructure is undeniable. Fulfilling the position, these graduates will now be able to offer advanced life supportive therapies to those who are critically sick and injured.

“Paramedics are vital to our communities… congratulations to Dare County’s newest paramedic graduates!”, expressed Dare County EMS Director Chief Jennie Collins, showering praises for the graduates during the ceremony.

An Inspiring Milestone for Dare County EMS

The new paramedics were presented with their certificates by COA Emergency Medical Science Assistant Professor/Program Coordinator Walter Meads and Dare County EMS Lieutenant Josh McKenney.

Not only did this event mark a new milestone in the journey of the new paramedics, but it also became another feather in the cap of Dare County EMS, displaying their promise of investing in the growth of their employees and subsequently, their community.