Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs)
Our innovative workforce initiative empowers community members to become nationally certified EMTs, serving their own neighborhoods in times of need. With hands-on training, tutoring, exam prep, and financial support, participants gain the confidence and skills to succeed. Graduates earn a recognized license, a guaranteed entry-level job with a local ambulance company, and opportunities to advance into firefighting, law enforcement, or our Paramedic Apprenticeship Program—creating a direct path to a lasting medical career.
SEE THE DATA
Why is the EMT program important to the community?
Having emergency personnel who reflect the vibrant diversity of the underserved communities they serve improves response times and health outcomes for everyone. Over the past three years, the EMT program has become an example of how the workforce and education systems can work together to meet the needs of industry and participants. Graduates have become our best recruitment tool, proving that the cohort model improves completion rates and participant morale. Their success has allowed us to fund training sites at both Contra Costa College and Mt. Diablo Adult Education, and we hope to expand to East County soon.
Key Milestones
What are the key milestones of the EMT program?
First cohort started at Contra Costa College
Awarded additional funding (WAF 10) to expand program
Mt. Diablo Adult Education added as second training site
Program Model featured at Meeting of the Minds Conference
WAF 10 funding closeout – goals exceeded for job placements / people served
Contra Costa selected as new EMS Corps site
EMS Corps resources help youth involvement
60 additional young people become EMTs
“We believe the success of this program shows that providing stipends, completion bonuses, tutoring, exam prep and direct placement into jobs should be standard if we truly want to level the playing field for our target populations.”
Jed Silver, Health Initiative Program Manager – Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County