As communities recognize Firefighter Appreciation Month this September and the essential role firefighters play in protecting lives and property, Mid-State Technical College is expanding its public safety education with the launch of a new Fire Medic associate degree program designed to prepare students for careers on the front lines of fire and emergency medical response.
The two-year, 65-credit associate in applied science degree combines fire service and paramedic education into one comprehensive program, giving students the opportunity to develop the technical, medical and decision-making skills needed to respond when their communities need them most.
“Firefighter/paramedics play an incredibly important role in the safety and well-being of our communities,” said Rick Anderson, dean of the Adams Campus and School of Public Safety at Mid-State. “This program creates a direct pathway for students who want to serve while helping our regional fire and EMS agencies build the highly skilled workforce they need now and into the future.”
The program comes at a time when communities across Wisconsin continue to face challenges recruiting and retaining emergency medical professionals. A statewide workforce report identified an estimated 384 annual openings for EMTs and paramedics in Wisconsin and noted particular recruitment and retention challenges for rural EMS agencies. The report also found that 41 percent of Wisconsin EMS agencies reported not having adequate staffing to respond to an ambulance request.
The need is evident locally as well. Earlier this year, the Wisconsin Rapids Fire Department announced plans to add three firefighter/paramedic positions through its regional EMS cooperative to improve coverage and help manage call demand. The department has 39 full-time firefighter/paramedics and, together with its regional partners, responds to approximately 4,900 fire and EMS incidents annually.
Students in Mid-State’s Fire Medic program will gain hands-on experience with modern fire service and emergency medical equipment while learning from instructors with current industry experience. Training includes advanced patient care, incident response, fire service operations, communication and the ability to make confident decisions in high-pressure situations.
An important component of the program is field-based learning with regional fire and EMS agencies, giving students opportunities to apply their skills in real-world environments and learn alongside the professionals serving area communities.
Graduates will be prepared for career opportunities including firefighter, firefighter/EMT and firefighter/paramedic. The program is also designed to prepare graduates to meet state and national competencies for paramedic credentialing as well as professional fire credentialing standards.
“Public safety is strongest when education and local agencies work together,” said Anderson. “By preparing professionals who understand both the fire and medical sides of emergency response, we are helping develop versatile responders who can make an immediate impact in departments throughout our region.”
The Fire Medic program is offered through Mid-State’s Wisconsin Rapids Campus, with in-person and hybrid learning options. Students may begin general education coursework at any time, with program start opportunities available in fall and spring.
Students interested in a career in fire and emergency medical services can learn more about the Fire Medic program, explore upcoming start options and take the next step at mstc.edu/fire-medic.
