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The Newbury Park High School Public Safety Pathway offers a comprehensive two-course program including a course that has recently been approved by the Ventura County EMS agency to offer a path toward state certification as an EMT. The program is taught by Casey Graham and is divided into two main courses: Emergency Medical First Responder and Emergency Medical Technician.
The first course in the pathway, titled Emergency First Responder, is based on the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) curriculum for Emergency Medical Responders, alongside curriculum from the American Red Cross. This course equips students with foundational skills for providing emergency medical care. Embedded within the course are certifications from the American Red Cross, including the “California Bundle Five.” This bundle is specifically designed to meet California's Title 22 regulations for EMS training. Students who successfully complete the certifications offered in this course and are above the age of 15 are certified as Red Cross Pool Lifeguards.
The second course in the pathway is Emergency Medical Technician. This course prepares students for state certification as EMTs, which is a requirement for employment with ambulance companies, fire/rescue departments, and ocean lifeguard/harbor patrol agencies in Ventura County. The course includes both classroom instruction and hands-on training. A key feature of the EMT course is a contract with American Medical Response (AMR), allowing 18-year-old students to participate in 24 hours of clinical field experience.
During this field experience, students gain real-world exposure to emergency medical situations, working alongside experienced EMTs in the field. This is the first year with this clinical field experience component. Currently, Mr. Graham has 6 students who will be 18 and qualified to pursue testing and licensure. Upon successful completion of the course and field experience, students are eligible to take the two-part exam administered by the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT). The exam consists of:
- A psychomotor portion, which is performed in class under the supervision of the instructor.
- A written portion, which is taken at an NREMT testing center.
Mr. Graham estimates that 60-75% of his public safety students intend to pursue a career in fire or medical fields. In the current EMT capstone course there are several students already utilizing these skills in the field through the Westminster Clinics, State Parks, and Ventura County Explorers. Additionally, some of his senior students are interested in pursuing the Navy as Corpsman, the medical professionals who provide care to service members and their families.
The program is a collaborative effort, with teachers, administrators, clinical supervisors, and students all contributing to its success. Funding for the program is primarily grant-based. Conejo Valley was recently awarded funds from round six of the Strong Workforce Grant for Healthcare and Public Safety which NPHS will utilize to expand this program to include a dedicated lab space and possibly new technology to enhance the experience for all students within this pathway.
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