By Matthew Fahr
The Oakland Press
WEST BLOOMFIELD, Mich. — To address Michigan’s shortage of emergency medical technicians and paramedics, the West Bloomfield Fire Department will provide more than $328,000 to cover tuition for 131 students enrolled in Oakland Community College’s emergency medicine programs beginning this fall.
The initiative is funded through a Michigan Department of Health and Human Services EMS Workforce Development grant.
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“We appreciate that MDHHS is investing in EMS education and we were excited to invest those dollars where they could have the greatest long-term impact for our residents,” said Blake Belsky, deputy chief of the West Bloomfield Fire Department. “By removing financial barriers for students, we’re helping develop the next generation of EMTs and paramedics for the West Bloomfield Fire Department while strengthening the workforce throughout Oakland County and southeast Michigan.”
David Ceci, executive director of Emergency Services Academies at OCC, said the investment reflects the strong partnership between OCC and West Bloomfield and will help address the growing demand for emergency.
“This opportunity is transformational for our students and our program,” Ceci said.
The emergency technician program is 15 weeks, and the tuition is around $1,400 per student, while the paramedic program includes one additional academic year and tuition costs around $5,000 per student.
Lisa Vala, OCC’s EMS program director, said many prospective students struggle to afford training because technician and paramedic programs require significant time away from work.
“Financial challenges prevent many qualified people from pursuing careers in EMS,” Vala said. “Covering tuition costs removes one of the biggest obstacles for students and will allow more people to enroll in our EMS programs, ultimately benefiting communities across our region.”
As part of their education, OCC technician and paramedic students complete clinical rotations and internships with the West Bloomfield Fire Department. While the department hopes many graduates will choose to join its team, participants are under no obligation to work there after completing the program.
For more information about the West Bloomfield Fire Department, visit Fire Department.
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