Armada Students Train as Future First Responders

By: Mary Tito, 12th Grade

Few graduate high school fully prepared to jump into their dream field, but that’s exactly what Armada High School’s Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program prepares students for. The class is available to ambitious high school seniors with an interest in the medical field.

Throughout the course, the students of Medical Sciences teacher Donna McCollom will partner with several local fire departments and hospitals to train in real-life situations in preparation for the National Registry EMT certification exam. The exam must be passed to obtain licensure and begin a career as an EMT. From there, students can go on to become a paramedic or firefighter.

Certification can also be used as a stepping stone to other careers in the medical field. For senior Nia Ant, who plans to go into nursing, this program has helped her to understand what working in the medical field will be like. Ant reflects that, “Mrs. McCollom on her own is such an inspiration to me. She’s very encouraging and teaches in a hands-on way”.

This teaching method helps students feel confident in applying what they learn in clinicals. As a requirement of the course, students do clinicals in the prehospital settings of the Armada Township and

Bruce-Romeo Fire Departments, as well as Henry Ford Macomb and McLaren Macomb. This means assisting licensed medical professionals in the hospital and during ambulance runs.

On ambulance runs, one student accompanies paramedics and is observed in basic patient assessments, such as taking vitals. At the hospital, two Armada students work with nurses in the emergency room. Both settings rely on the students to remain calm in high-pressure situations, which is no easy feat. These shifts also allow students to work up to twelve hours for a true glimpse at life in the medical field. Students must meet a requirement of sixteen hours at the hospital, thirty-two hours with paramedics, and an additional eight hours at either location.

For these students, the work is challenging but rewarding. One thing’s for sure: the hard work and ambition they display in this course will bring them success wherever they go.