New EMT course to be offered next year

By Ashley Attanucci
Staff Writer

Beginning next year, Coppell High School will offer a new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) dual credit course providing career minded seniors with an opportunity of a lifetime.

With the cooperation of Brookhaven Community College and the Coppell Fire Department, students will be able to become certified EMTs upon high school graduation.

In addition to daily training with a certified EMT on campus at CHS, students will be exposed to CareFlight helicopters, rotations at the Las Colinas Medical Center and ambulances, being on-call with the Coppell Fire Department.

“For several years we’ve had an interest [in bringing this course to CHS], but we haven’t had the resources to do it,” Health Science Tech (HST) teacher and future teacher of the EMT course Brenda Brinkman said. “The teacher before me actually went through an EMT certification course five years ago, but [the idea was lost] after we saw it just wasn’t cost-effective.”

Now, through CISD funding, this program, which is similar to those offered in Carrolton-Farmers Branch and Irving, has finally come to CHS. Students will have access to state-of-the-art equipment including simulators and practice mannequins which hook up to computers to give feedback.

“Look at all the experience you will get as a high school student doing that,” Brinkman said. “I’m just excited that people are excited.”

The Coppell Fire Department is excited to be a part of the course and has agreed to land a CareFlight helicopter on campus next year to give EMT students a tour of the copter and flight

“It’s great to give every advantage to everyone,” Coppell Fire Fighter/ Paramedic Jim Beare said. “[The course] is an awesome deal.”

The class needs 20 students and there has been much positive feedback from students, some who are in Health Science Tech 2 (HST2), Health Occupation Students of America (HOSA) as well as others who have no official connection to the medical field. There are no course-related or experience-related prerequisites for this class, but teacher recommendations are required as part of the application process. Other required criteria include self-motivation, punctuality, a good academic/disciplinary profile, ability to provide transportation to rotations and good character.

“I wanted to take a unique course that’s really into the medical and health fields and be in the shoes of people who are actual emergency medical technicians,” EMT course applicant and HOSA member, junior Priya Chitta said.

Applications are available at room A110 (HST classroom) and also at the Horseshoe. Forms were to be completed and returned to Brinkman by Thursday, Feb. 25, but late applicants will still be considered.

“My biggest fear is that I’m not able enough to campaign this, that I’m not reaching somebody who wants to do this,” said Brinkman.

Go to http://www.brookhavencollege.edu/instruction/h-h-services/ems/emt_program/ for more information on the dual credit course.