Nineteen students completed the emergency medical technician (EMT) course at Beaufort County Community College on May 10. The class can be a first step to becoming a paramedic, though many students take it in addition to credentials in firefighting, law enforcement or other professions or as a standalone credential. The class included students from Beaufort, Bertie, Martin and Pitt Counties. The increase in interest is due in part to higher demand for paramedics across the state.

The course introduces students to prehospital emergency care. Upon completion of this course, they can take the state or national credentialing exam to provide emergency or non-emergent care at the EMT level. At this time, three of the 19 students who completed the course have passed their state exam and become certified, while the rest are scheduled to test in the next month.