June 4, 2020
Two Richmond Area Career Center programs run by the Richmond Indiana Fire Department celebrated their 2020 graduates in a special banquet on June 3. The Emergency Medical Technician program led by Instructor Ben Simmons, Richmond Fire Department EMS Chief, had nine graduates. Five of these seniors also completed the Fire and Rescue program during the 2018-19 academic year led by Instructor Gregg Moore, Richmond Fire Department Driver/Operator. These students have earned multiple certifications to include Firefighter I/II, Hazmat Operations, Basic Life Support CPR, and Emergency Medical Technician.
EMT Graduates 2019-2020
Alexis Adams
Alexis Baumer
Dylan Candlish
Hunter Cougill
Lauren Foote
Bryce Gibbs
Tyler McKee
Brandon Mooney
Kyrian Smith
Fire/Rescue Graduates 2018-2019
Alexis Adams
Hunter Cougill
Lauren Foote
Brandon Mooney
Kyrian Smith
Award Recipients
Alexis Baumer, Personal Development
Hunter Cougill, Professionalism
Tyler McKee, Academic Excellence
Both programs have grown consistently year after year since their start in 2014, and graduates of these programs have gone on to serve their community in various ways, including:
18 currently serve or have previously served their communities as volunteer firefighters
4 are working in Emergency Medical Services
3 are in Nursing School
1 is working as a dispatcher
8 are serving in the military with 5 more signed up for military service
14 are in college
2 have graduated from Vincennes University with Fire Science Degrees
10 are currently seeking employment in emergency services
In light of COVID-19 and its impact on the field of emergency medical services, this has been a notable year with unique learning opportunities for the EMS program. When the impact of COVID-19 began to reach Richmond, these students proactively reached out and asked, “What can we do?”Through this time, many have played an invaluable role in screening stations at the city building, and everyone has continued to engage and participate in classes despite the unusual circumstances. Learning during the deadliest global pandemic in over a hundred years has provided these students with tools,information, and confidence.
Next year will mark the largest enrollment these programs have seen to date, highlighting both our local youth’s interest in making a difference and the value these programs bring to the community. To learn more about these programs and how high schoolers can get involved visit the RACC Fire/EMS Facebook page.
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Press Contact
Ben Simmons
RFD EMS Chief
BSimmons@richmondindiana.gov
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