Dec 03, 2024  
2024-2025 College Catalog 
    
2024-2025 College Catalog

Emergency Services Technology Information (EMST)


The Emergency Services Technology program prepares graduates to compete for entry level positions at local fire/EMS stations with dual certifications as a Nationally Registered Paramedic and Firefighter I & II in the State of Ohio. Firefighter certifications are ProBoard eligible.


Department of Criminal Justice and Emergency Services

Administration       

Toledo Campus              

Phone        

Email

Dr. Ruth Babel-Smith, Chair,

Criminal Justice

Heritage Hall 106N

(567) 661-7613  ruth_babelsmith@owens.edu

Mark King, Manager, OPOTA Program

Center for Emergency Preparedness (FTS) 121 (567) 661-7439 mark_king@owens.edu

Vacant, Chair, Fire Services

     

Matthew Phillips, Chair,

Emergency Services Technology  

Center for Emergency Preparedness (FTS) 107

(567) 661-2140 matthew_phillips3@owens.edu

 

Accreditation

Certificates of Accreditation are issued by Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services, State Board of Emergency Medical Services through March 31, 2020.  (Accreditation Number 344).  For more information concerning the certificates of accreditation contact the Emergency Medical Services Division, Attention: EMS Accreditation, 1970 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 182073, Columbus, Ohio 43218-2073, web address www.publicsafety.ohio.gov.).

The Owens Community College Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (727) 210-2350 www.caahep.org. To contact CoAEMSP: (214) 703-8445 www.coaemsp.org

Fire Charter is issued by the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Medical Services. Charter Number 344, (Renewal site visit January 2018). For more information concerning the fire charter contact the Ohio Department of Public Safety, Division of Emergency Services, Charles D. Shipley Building, 1970 West Broad Street, P.O. Box 182073, Columbus, Ohio, 43218-2073, web address www.publicsafety.ohio.gov.

 

Student Learning Outcomes 

  • Students will effectively communicate.
  • Students will access and interpret information.
  • Students will problem solve.
  • Students will achieve entry level competency for both Fire Science and Paramedic studies.

National Registry Outcomes

Written 81%
Practical 97.2%
Retention 82.6%
Positive Placement 100%

*Numbers are the 3 year average from 2013, 2014, and 2015.

Student Advisement

In order for the student to fully complete this degree program, the embedded Fire Certifications have the following admission requirements:

  • Students must be at least eighteen years of age, with some exceptions for chartered programs enrolling students in their final grade in a secondary school program.
  • Students must meet the minimum educational requirements established by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ.)
  • Students must have passed the NFPA 1582 Medical Evaluation within the year prior to starting the fire classes.
  • Students must demonstrate minimum emergency medical care performance capabilities for entry-level personnel to include infection control, CPR, bleeding control and shock management. 

Also note that persons who have or acquire a felony conviction or a conviction regarding drugs, weapons, domestic violence or moral turpitude will find employment in the emergency services field extremely unlikely.

Employment Opportunities

This program prepares students for certification as a Paramedic and Firefighter II in the State of Ohio.  Graduates from this program can expect to find positions with federal state and local fire departments, ambulance service companies and other private and public first responder organizations. 

In 2016, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 248,000 jobs in Emergency Medical Services (EMS) with growth over the next ten years expected to be around 15%.  The median salary of a paramedic in Ohio in 2017 was $33,200.  Most career Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and paramedics work in metropolitan areas, compared to volunteer EMTs and paramedics that are more common in small towns and rural areas. 

In 2015, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were 19,030 firefighting jobs in the State of Ohio with growth over the next ten years expected to be around 5.3%.  The median salary of a firefighter in Ohio in 2015 was $44,210.  Firefighters control and extinguish fires or respond to emergency situations where life, property or the environment is at risk.  Duties may include fire prevention, emergency medical service, hazardous material response, search and rescue, disaster assistance and public education.