Helen Keller Hospital donated a 2007 Ford ambulance to the Northwest-Shoals Community College Emergency Medical Services Program last week as a way to contribute to the education of future EMS professionals. 

The ambulance will be used to train students on simulating emergency calls. 

Rose Jones, NW-SCC associate dean of workforce development, said receiving the ambulance is a direct result of the partnership between the college and hospital. 

“We have such a strong relationship with Helen Keller Hospital and our other area hospitals,” said Jones. “This addition of the new ambulance will help the College’s EMS program train students in all aspects of mobile emergency services.” 

The EMS program at NW-SCC is designed to prepare students in basic and advanced emergency care in clinical and in field environments. Graduates of the program often work for local fire and rescue departments, ambulance services and emergency departments within medical facilities. 

“We have a great partnership,” agreed Bruce Carson, Helen Keller Hospital EMS director. “Most of our employees are graduates of the EMS program at NW-SCC. This is a great way for us to give back to the school and invest in our community by doing what we can to help them produce great EMTs and paramedics.” 

NW-SCC President Dr. Glenda Colagross, expressed her gratitude to Helen Keller Hospital on behalf of NW-SCC. 

“The college is very appreciative of our friends at Helen Keller Hospital and the opportunities the new ambulance will give our students,” said Colagross. “We are always trying to provide our students with the resources they need to be successful in the workforce.” 

For more information on the EMS program at NW-SCC, visit www.nwscc.edu or contact Dr. Chris DeMorse, EMS Program director, at 256-331-5336 or cdemorse@nwscc.edu.