Emergency Medical Services - EMS

Why study Emergency Medical Services?

Expert instructors, realistic training environments, and proven partnerships with community agencies make the nationally accredited Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program at COCC an immersive, challenging, and extremely rewarding education in lifesaving. From a one-year EMT certificate to a two-year Paramedicine associate degree, the rigorous EMS program covers the full scope of emergency response skills and clinical preparedness.  

"It's the greatest career I could have imagined." — Steve Pengra, COCC EMS instructor and retired fire captain 

Students work with the latest in training equipment, such as ventilators, simulation mannequins, a unique indoor replica ambulance, and a fully operational ambulance, as they prepare for fulfilling and high-demand careers in the field of emergency services.

"St. Charles has worked closely with our COCC community partners for about 50 years," says Janice Pendroy, a clinical practice and professional development specialist at St. Charles Health System. "The EMS program trains the new generation of EMT and paramedic students, who will go out into the community and partner with the health system as first responders. These students rotate through St. Charles' family birthing unit, emergency departments, pediatric department, and operating rooms to gain experience as part of their EMS programs. The clinical practice and professional development department of St. Charles Health System collaborates with COCC EMS leadership in providing comprehensive clinical experiences." 

PROGRAMS

Emergency Medical Services (EMS) provides comprehensive training for students interested in working in the health care field of emergency first responder that ranges from emergency medical technician to paramedic.

Our program aligns with the legal standards of practice necessary for professional licensure in the state of Oregon.  After obaining your license, if you consider relocating to another U.S. state, explore our resources to understand whether your skills meet licensing requirements in different states.

View Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Programs

Program Outcomes

FUTURE STUDENTS

Learn more about attending Central Oregon Community College.

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EMS Info Sessions

 

CAREER INFORMATION

Career Paths

Explore career paths in emergency medical services.

Career Paths In EMS

STUDENT STORIES

Student Stories

Testimonials from EMS students and graduates.

Student and Alumni Stories

MEET OUR FACULTY

Faculty David Schappe Teaching

Learn about faculty backgrounds and expertise.

Faculty Profiles

Contacts

Public Service Education Department
541-383-7795
paramedicine@cocc.edu 
Emergency Medical Services Directory

Paula Simone
Chair of Public Service Education
Associate Professor Structural Fire PD
541-383-7404
psimone@cocc.edu 

How to Pay for College

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Learn More

COCC's Admissions Specialists provide webinars and virtual sessions to learn more about COCC.