CINCINNATI -- To combat the shortage of paramedics in the Northern Kentucky area, Cincinnati State has created a new paramedic certificate program.
The college is taking the paramedic course to the Campbell County Fire Protection Center.
"It seems like you'll be able to attract more students by going to them, instead of asking them to come to you," Tony Kraemer, an instructor at Cincinnati State, said. "They have a need for paramedics in Greater Cincinnati as a whole."
First responders say that the Northern Kentucky area could need hundreds of paramedics in the next five years.
"We're gonna have about 175 vacancies in paramedics," Mark Bailey, Fort Thomas fire chief, said. "And over the course of an additional five-year period, another 113 -- approaching 300 vacancies because of requirements."
The pre-hospital care that a person gets after an accident could determine whether they live or die, Bailey said.
The new, two-day-per-week paramedic certificate program has been licensed by the Kentucky Postsecondary Board of Education and will include a maximum of 24 students, according to a news release.
The program, which will begin in August, is open to individuals who have already earned an EMT certificate.
Those interested in the program can visit here.
