County Fire & Rescue Chief supports student EMT initiative

FRONT ROYAL – Warren County Fire and Rescue Services Chief Richard Mabie has expressed his support for Warren County Public School’s initiative to provide a dual enrollment option for rising seniors interested in Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training in the 2018-19 school year. Working cooperatively with Lord Fairfax Community College (LFCC), Blue Ridge Technical Center is piloting a program to provide 17 credits of EMT training to qualifying students to enable them to get a head start on the Associate of Applied Science Degree in Emergency Medical Services at LFCC. Completion of this degree helps prepare students to pass the national registry exam.

The slots for this program are limited and available through a competitive application process. Area high school guidance counselors have the application packets available for interested students. The deadline for application is next Wednesday, February 28, 2018.

Chief Mabie said he is “Excited about training young people to serve their communities as emergency responders while they are still in high school. It’s the perfect time in their lives to explore the volunteer fire service and find out what it takes to be committed to something greater than themselves.”

EMTs are the front line in providing appropriate response to medical emergencies. Over 70% of Warren County emergency calls are for medical emergencies and more EMTs are needed at every fire station in the county.

For more information about this program may be found on the Blue Ridge Technical Center website at www.wcps.k12.va.us/brtc/.