In response to the urgent need for more Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) in rural areas like Appanoose, Davis, Van Buren, and Wapello, the Wapello County Emergency Management Agency received grants from the Future Ready Iowa 2023 Summer Youth Internship Program and the Ottumwa Legacy Foundation. This program targets young people facing challenges such as being the first in their family to attend college, dropping out of high school, coming from a single-parent family, or belonging to a minority group. The goal was to train 16 young individuals, aged 17-24, to become EMTs. 

Thanks to partnerships with Indian Hills Community College and local hospitals, interns will learn EMT skills and gain hands-on experience in ambulances and hospitals. They will also receive guidance on continuing their education in healthcare, such as becoming a Paramedic. This program addresses the current need for EMTs and establishes a pipeline for future healthcare professionals. Interns gain valuable skills to help them succeed in their careers. 

Tim Richmond, Director of Wapello County Emergency Management, highlighted that last summer’s Rural EMS Internship Program successfully placed many graduates in local jobs at Ottumwa Regional Health Center and encouraged further education and career advancement in healthcare. Some graduates are pursuing Paramedic certification, expanding their practice and impact on emergency medical services. Others are leveraging their EMT experience to pursue careers in nursing, firefighting, or other allied health professions. These success stories demonstrate the program’s role in fostering long-term career pathways and professional growth, addressing immediate workforce shortages, and empowering individuals to pursue fulfilling and sustainable careers in healthcare. 

Adding to these efforts, Indian Hills Community College has received a $74,000 Telligen grant, matched by $23,000 in Workforce Training funds, to support another summer EMT Apprenticeship program for 15 apprentices. The Ottumwa Legacy Foundation is providing grant funding that will enhance the program by funding weekly tutoring sessions and software subscriptions for those students. The tutoring will consist of nine weekly sessions. The “EMS Testing” software will provide adaptive practice tests for National Certification. 

The Wapello County Emergency Management Agency is excited about the future with the Telligen grant and the partnership with Indian Hills Community College. Wapello County Emergency Management is always planning ahead and finding innovative ways to support our community and looking for proactive partners. By training tomorrow’s EMTs, Wapello County Emergency Management, Indian Hills Community College, and local partners ensure our communities stay safe and healthy. 

For more information or to explore these educational opportunities at Indian Hills Community College, please contact Lori at Lori.Reeves@indianhills.edu.