KCC provides paramedic training scholarships to help meet shortage

BRANCH COUNTY — Up to 18 emergency medical technicians will receive the full cost of training to become paramedics at Kellogg Community College under a $350,000 grant to fill the critical need in Michigan's Emergency Medical Services workforce.

The scholarships will save new paramedic students $15,000 each in academic program costs alone in KCC Paramedic Certificate Program training for the 2023-24 academic year.

"Over 25% of our full-time jobs are still unfilled," said Steve Frisbie, vice president for Emergent Health Partners SW Region/LifeCare Ambulance.

Typically, each ambulance carries one EMT and one paramedic, Frisbie said.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services covers the cost of tuition and fees, textbooks, class supplies and other materials for students.

More:County hopes EMT grads will cut LifeCare response times

In addition, the grant also will provide up to $1,300 to pay for things such as gas and transportation, child care, uniforms and other assistive supports to help remove obstacles and increase the chances of completing full paramedic certification.

Frisbie said those completing certification can find work — the top pay of an EMT now is between $50,000 to $55,000. The top out for a paramedic is around $80,000 a year.

The program scholarships are first come, first served for eligible applicants, who must be licensed EMTs to apply.

Applications are available now at kellogg.edu/ems and will be accepted until June 30, or until the program is full.

The grant provides funds for EMS training facility upgrades, including a program expansion that will allow KCC to offer the full Paramedic Program at the KCC Grahl Center campus in Coldwater.

KCC's Paramedic Certificate Program is a 15-month, four-semester program featuring hands-on training for EMS professionals.

Frisbie said the fourth semester is an internship where EMTs can continue to work for LifeCare. As an incentive for its EMTs to advance, "we'll let them lower their work week and remain full-time, so they keep all their benefits for that period."

Interns who pass the paramedic exam at KCC, then pass the National Registry exam to receive their Michigan license will receive a cash reward, Frisbie said. The payment would be the amount the employee lost working the shorter work week as an intern.

Frisbie said it is hard to attend the program and work full-time.

"If you're young, single, no family, no real commitments, things like that, you could probably do it."

Branch County continues to offer financial scholarships for those who want to become emergency medical technicians — the second level of responders — using $150,000 of the county's American Rescue Plan funds. Recipients must agree to work in Branch County.

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LifeCare does the same for other areas it covers.

"Last term, we had three or four total. This term, we have probably three or four more that are interested in coming on board, and have agreed to work for us by signing that agreement," Frisbie said.

Frisbie said KCC has assisted six to eight LifeCare-affiliated paramedics per year; four are currently midway through the program.

— Contact Don Reid: [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter: @DReidTDR.