PURPOSE: The AAS in Technical Studies provides flexible alternatives for meeting student and employer needs and features a flexible curriculum design to meet specific educational and employment goals. The Technical Studies AAS in Public Safety Leadership is designed for individuals aspiring to leadership roles within all of public safety to include both Fire and EMS. This program provides a comprehensive education that combines advanced EMS skills (Paramedic) with leadership, management, and operational strategies to prepare graduates for supervisory and administrative positions in Fire & EMS.
OCCUPATIONAL / PROGRAM OBJECTIVES: The Technical Studies AAS in Public Safety Leadership prepares graduates to excel in leadership roles within the Fire & EMS profession. The program objectives focus on developing the skills, knowledge, and competencies required to manage EMS operations, lead diverse teams, and contribute to the advancement of emergency medical care and public safety leadership.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS: General college curricular admission. Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to credit-level coursework established by the college.
PLACEMENT REQUIREMENTS: Students who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level English will be required to select appropriate EDE 10 or ENG 111 /EDE 11 * coursework in consultation with an advisor. Students who do not demonstrate readiness for college-level math will be required to select appropriate MDE coursework in consultation with an advisor.
COMPUTER COMPTENCY REQUIREMENTS: Students will receive the required computer competencies for this program after completing SDV 101 - Orientation to Health Science.
PROGRAM SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS: In addition to the general college curriculum admissions requirements, the student must possess a current Virginia EMT Certification, a valid CPR certification from either the American Heart Association-BLS Provider or the American Red Cross - Professional Rescuer/BLS and/or VA Paramedic Certification. In compliance with the Virginia State Board of Health and Virginia EMS regulations (12 VAC 5-31-1200 and 12 VAC 5-31-1460), students wishing to register for Paramedic courses with an EMS prefix must be at least 18 years of age at the time of enrollment into the program. Students younger than 18 are eligible to enroll in EMS 100 , EMS 111 & EMS 120 if not already an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT).
Paramedic students enrolled in Paramedic-CSC, will be eligible to enroll in Technical Studies AAS in Public Safety Leadership. Students must meet with an EMS Program Advisor for additional advising and enrollment into the Technical Studies AAS degree. Course enrollment permission is required for EMS prefix courses.
The average length of this program is 2-6 semesters depending on prior certification credit. All students must maintain VA EMT Certification and AHA/ARC CPR Certification throughout entirety of program. Experiential credit may be provided for individuals with EMS and/or Fire Certifications.
PROGRAM NOTES: This curriculum allows the student to select (1) or (2) career studies certificates, with additional courses to create a coherent plan of study in a technical field of the student’s choice. The student must work with an EMS advisor(s) to develop their plan of study.
FUNCTIONAL SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: Please refer to the Paramedic CSC and/or Emergency Medical Technician CSC and Fire Science CSC for all program requirements. For a complete list of BLS and ALS Functional Job descriptions, please visit https://www.vdh.virginia.gov/content/uploads/sites/23/2016/05/TR-14A-ALS-Functional-Job-Description-1-2-20.pdf.
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