Grant helps Crowder College build Public Safety Program - KOAM TV 7

Grant helps Crowder College build Public Safety Program

A Department of Labor grant helps Crowder build a Public Safety Program.  Enrollment is underway now at the Carthage technical school where EMT/paramedic classes will be held.  Those who qualify can get classes, tuition-free.

People who are unemployed or workers who are under-employed can take fire science, criminal justice or emergency medical classes.

Coordinators say fire departments want crews to be certified EMT's.

For others, classes like Firefighting I and II could be the first step on a career ladder.

"It's a six hour class - once they complete it then they would take their state certification exams then that would qualify them and they would go right on get a job with a department in the area," says Justin Baucom, the Public Safety Program Coordinator.  "After they got that they could stay on, get Associate of Arts or Associate of Applied Sciences."

The $2.9 million grant pays for program equipment and instructors.

Crowder doesn't get funds and is waiving tuition.

Crowder hopes to create partnerships for more training programs with area police, fire and ambulance departments.

Again, enrollment is underway now.  To learn more contact recruiter Kelli Cragin at 417-673-2345 or 417-455-5681, or email publicsafetyproject@crowder.edu