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Paramedic Program

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Our COVID-19 Policy

Bridgeport Hospital Paramedic Program in Partnership with Echo Hose Ambulance and Yale New Haven Health Center for EMS

Start Date is January 2, 2024

Classes meet Tuesday & Wednesday evenings from 5 pm – 10 pm and every other Saturday 8-5pm. The program is broken up into 5 semesters with a 2-week break between semesters.  

An all-Inclusive price of $10,500 includes tuition, all textbooks, uniforms, Learning management software, and all other fees except for the NREMT testing fee and State of CT license at the end of the program.

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EMS Program Coordinator: Matthew Hlavna, A.S., EMSI, Paramedic

Echo Hose Ambulance Education Coordinator, State of CT Licensed Paramedic and State of CT EMS Instructor.

Matthew Hlavna began his EMS career when he obtained his EMT in 1991 and started volunteering at his local Ambulance Service. While working and volunteering as an EMT, Matthew obtained his Paramedic license in 1996. Since then, Matthew has worked more than 30 years in both volunteer and commercial EMS. Over the years Matthew has held several positions including Field Training Officer, Paramedic Field Instructor, EMS Instructor, and Clinical Education Specialist. Matthew also holds a degree in Emergency Medical Services from Columbia Southern University.

Lead Instructor/Coordinator: Wesley Young, MS, CCEMTP, EMSI

Bridgeport Hospital EMS Coordinator & former Paramedic Program Coordinator of the Bridgeport Hospital Paramedic Program. Wesley Young is the EMS Medical Control Officer at Bridgeport Hospital and has been involved with Emergency Services for over 30 years. His experience includes working as a paramedic in urban and rural areas, flight paramedic, firefighter, law enforcement, and EMS service chief. Wes has a Master’s degree in Emergency Services Management and strives to train the best paramedics in the state. Wes was the program coordinator for Bridgeport Hospitals’ paramedic program for eight years before its closing in 2017. Wes has worked and taught paramedicine in multiple states across the country before moving to Connecticut in 2010.

Application
Paramedic Information Packet
Paramedic Program Informational Sessions
Health Assessment Form

Applications can be dropped off on weekdays between 8 am – 4 pm at Echo Hose Training Center, 430 Coram Ave, Shelton, Attn: Education Coordinator Matthew Hlavna. Applications can also be mailed to Echo Hose Training Center, Attn: Education Coordinator Matthew Hlavna, PO Box 213, Shelton, CT 06484 or Bridgeport Hospital EMS Department, Attn: Wes Young, 267 Grant St, Bridgeport, CT 06610

Class Description

To ensure the best candidates are selected for the program and meet the student’s needs, the following process will be completed.

Requirements:

  1. Eighteen (18) years of age or older by the first day of class 
  2. Current EMT certification. Students who have recently graduated from an EMT program or who do    not have at least 100 patient care experiences will be considered; however, they must attain National Registry or State licensure by the end of the first semester, and they may be required to complete additional BLS clinical ride time
  3. Valid CPR certification from either the AHA or National Safety Council
  4. Minimum High School diploma, with copies of transcripts or college transcripts or equivalent 
  5. Valid driver‘s license
  6. ICS 100, 200, and 700 certifications 
  7. Completed physical assessment form (see the link to download)
  8. Proof of titer (from the current calendar year) of the following:
    • MMR
    • Varicella
    • Hepatitis B (or signed declination)
    • COVID Vaccine
  9. Proof of vaccination for TDAP 
  10. PPD (or equivalent) from the current calendar year
  11. Applicant must not have a substance abuse problem or use illegal or illicit substances
  12. Complete the application forms and submit with attachments as noted
  13. Submit three written references in sealed envelopes (applicable EMS references preferred) 
  14. Please submit a written essay on “The Future of Paramedicine.” 

Selection for the Paramedic Program is based on the following: 

  • Entrance exam score
  • EMS experience
  • Review of school transcripts/GED scores
  • Review of references.
  • Results of an oral interview and review of the essay.

More information coming out soon

Frequently Asked Questions

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Where can I take the practical certification exam?

Students can take the practical state exam here in Shelton at our Training Center. Tests are offered twice a month and proctored by the State of Connecticut at our training center.

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Where are you located?

We are located at 430 Coram Ave in the former St. Joseph Grammar School in Shelton.  We have a well lit, off-street parking lot for students. All EMS classrooms are air-conditioned, equipped with new clean tables, chairs, advanced technology and new EMS training equipment.

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What makes your EMS program different then others?

Our professional, experienced CT EMS Certified Instructors have been leading EMS programs for many years. All instructors are State of CT Certified Instructors.  Our team of instructors has a minimum of 8 years experience with most having upwards of 20-30 years working and teaching in Emergency Services.  All our equipment is dedicated to our training programs and always in great working condition.  Students also complete their clinical time working along-side our amazing field providers in a busy ambulance service that responds to over 5,300 emergencies each year.  In addition, our instructors and training team will help refer and give leads to many volunteer and job opportunities to students. All students sit comfortably in a dedicated training center (former school) without interruption or distractions.

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What is the dress code for class?

Students should dress comfortably while maintaining business casual attire. Jeans, pants without rips and tears, appropriate length shorts, shirts, t-shirts, and closed rubber sole shoes, such as sneakers are acceptable.  Tank Tops, Short shorts, low riding pants or shorts, or open-toe shoes are not allowed. *During the COVID Pandemic, masks are required by all students.

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What are your safety precautions during COVID-19?

Our facility and equipment is thoroughly cleaned after each class.  Masks are to be worn at all times when in the facility by all students and instructors. All students and staff are required to complete a pre-health screening and temperature check prior to entering the facility during each class.  For a full list of our safety measures, please visit the COVID 19 rules on our main page.

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Is there an age restriction for the EMT course?

You must turn 16 by the last day of the course.

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Is the EMT testing fee included in the tuition?

No- not all students take the class with the intentions of becoming certified. Also, the student can take the certification exam(s) at any appropriate testing location, within two years of finishing the class.

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Is the course book only available online?

To keep the tuition as low as possible for all students, we have decided to use the electronic version of the text book as most students prefer this option.  If you would like to purchase the hardcover book, we will provide you with information as to how to order a hard copybook at a discounted price. We do have used text books for sale.

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Is attendance for all classes mandatory?

Class attendance and participation in all scheduled classes are required.  If you need to miss a class due to illness or a personal reason, the student is responsible for the work missed.

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I took my State of Connecticut Practical exam at your facility, Do you have my results?

No, the State of CT exam is coordinated by Echo Hose Ambulance but administered and overseen by the State of CT OEMS State Chief Examiner. All test results are kept confidential with the State OEMS Departments and only provided to the students Lead Instructor.  Please contact your lead instructor for results.

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How much is the EMT course?

The class is $985 and includes all the materials needed for the course.  This includes an electronic textbook, online test prep materials, CPR book and Card, Uniform Shirt for clinical ride time, job referral assistance and resume assistance upon request.

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Do you offer off site classes?

Yes, our training team regularly provides off site training across the State of Connecticut for business, schools and various organizations.  We are happy to visit your business or school and provide your staff with on site CPR, First Aid, Bleeding Control, Narcan Training, Daycare CPR/First Aid Training or even coordinate an EMT or EMR class at your location. To schedule a class, please email us at office@sheltonems.com or call 203-924-5500

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Do you offer classes to the public?

Yes, Echo Hose Ambulance offers multiple free training classes a year including CPR, First Aid, Bleeding Control, Substance Abuse Prevention, Narcan Administration, Mental Health First Aid and numerous Federally Funded FEMA sponsored programs.  Please visit our community classes page for more information.

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Can I start working on an ambulance and be eligible for a job after passing the state exam?

Yes, certified EMT(s) can begin to volunteer or find a career in EMS once they complete their testing and become certified as an EMT with the State of Connecticut and/or NREMT.

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Are there any prerequisites for taking the EMT course?

There are no prerequisites for taking the EMT course.  We recommend a great attitude, an ability to have fun and a willingness to learn from some amazing instructors.

Our team of Instructors and EMS Field Providers give 100% of themselves to ensure we provide the resources to help each student have the opportunity to advance and obtain their future goals.

Joe Laucella Assistant Chief of Echo Hose Ambulance

The Echo Hose Difference

Top-notch instruction

EMS companies know that we graduate the best in the business. EMS is a job that requires skill and expertise; you’re responsible for peoples’ lives. We want you to be able to hit the ground running and that’s what we prepare you for - success.

Affordable

Our EMS classes are the most affordable in the region.

Community

We know it takes many hands and hearts to solve the complex issues communities face, and we try to do our part.  We provide emergency ambulance service to over 5,300 emergency calls each year,  provide free community training programs to hundreds of citizens, collect food for the local pantries, collect toys for children during the holidays and we partner with over twenty Not-For-Profits providing them with free training space for meetings, trainings and community programming.

Communities We Serve

Echo Hose offers EMS classes and training to residents in all towns and cities in Connecticut and Westchester County, New York.

Connecticut: Bridgeport, Bristol, Darien, Greenwich, Hartford, New Haven, Shelton, Stamford, Waterbury, Westport, and more!

New York: Chappaqua, Scarsdale, White Plains, and more!

 
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