Graduates reflect on Buchanan County EMS Paramedic program

By: Alexis Kuhnert

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (KQTV) -- Eight individuals graduated from the 11-month Buchanan County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Paramedic program Monday morning.

The program has been around for three years.

One instructor, Joseph Pike, said the program starts off with about five weeks of studying anatomy and physiology, which is a requirement for paramedics. 

Afterwards, students gain experience through being part of simulations for instruction.

One graduate, Jordan Pearson, first took an interest in EMS in high school.

"I did my EMT program through Hillyard my senior year, and then this program. I waited about a year and a half before I came to do this," Pearson said.

Now that Pearson has graduated, he said he's in shock and other graduates said they feel the same way.

The next step is to take the National Registry of Emergency Technicians (NREMT).

"After we pass that, they test for minimum competency to make sure we can operate as a safe provider," Pearson said. "After we pass that, and we'll come get our state licensure level and we'll be able to operate as paramedics."

Julie Mason, another graduate, started as an EMT before the program and worked in the field for two years.

As Mason watched the medics she worked with, it inspired her to follow a path to this program.

"I wouldn't have traded it for anything," Mason said. "This has truly been the best experience that I could have went through. It's accelerated, it's intense, but it's home."

Pike said there's a need for paramedics now more than ever.