Oxnard College reopens firefighter and EMT program
OXNARD, Calif. - Oxnard College reopened on-site classes and operations for its Regional Firefighter Academy and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program after working closely with local and state officials to follow COVID-19 screening and safety guidelines.
The facility helps train new firefighters and emergency response professionals for Ventura County as well as throughout the state. The Fire Academy has also extended the application deadline for its Fall 2020 semester through May 1.
“With the advent of the current COVID-19 pandemic and the state’s upcoming brush fire season, it is essential to maintain a highly trained and professional workforce of firefighters and EMT professionals for our community,” said Luis Sanchez, interim president of Oxnard College. “That’s why I’m proud of the diligent steps our faculty and staff have implemented to keep our team and students safe as they complete their instruction.”
In order to reopen, Oxnard College worked with the California Fire Technology Directors Association, Ventura County Community College District, and Ventura County Public Health.
Guidelines and safety precautions were designed to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to protect the program's students, faculty, and staff. All lecture-based instruction was moved online, while on-site and skills-based instruction continued on April 13. Pre- and post-class health screening protocols have been put in place, smaller groups of students have been created and spread across multiple class times to follow physical distancing guidelines, and an electronic health screening documentation system was created.
Student's temperatures are taken before each class by medical professionals using a "Seek Thermal Imaging Thermometer." A second temperature is taken through a handheld device from a safe distance.
Fire Academy cadets and EMT students have received guidance about "staying home" and limiting their exposure while away from the training facility.
“Now more than ever it is clear how essential our emergency response professionals are to our community,” said Matthew Jewett, assistant dean for Oxnard College’s public safety programs. “We encourage anyone interested in this challenging and rewarding work to apply to our Fire Academy’s Fall 2020 semester.”
The demand for firefighters and EMTs has skyrocketed, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and as the "Baby Boomer" generation of emergency responders retire. The fire season has also been lengthened, calling for additional firefighters.
Fall semester classes are set to begin on August 17 and will last 17-weeks. The program provides education and training in structural firefighting, hazardous materials response, confined space rescue, vehicle extrication, wildland fire behavior, wildland firefighting skills, protable water delivery systems, wildland fire chain saws, basic land navigation, and leadership values and principles.
Students will receive hands-on training constructing fire lines, using personal protective equipment (PPE), and evacuations in the wildland urban interface.
All applicants must be in good physical condition, be registered with the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians or have the California State EMT Card, and have completed the Academy's FT 151 Fire Protection Organization course by the end of the 2020 Spring semester.
You can apply by going here.
Applications must be emailed to Assistant Dean Matthew Jewett at mjewett@vcccd.edu.
