Clinton’s EMT Program, Scholarship Making a Difference Locally
PLATTSBURGH, N.Y. – Billie Jo Carter has long volunteered to help her neighbors in Lyon Mountain. Still, the emergency needs in the small Clinton County community escalated with the November 2023 closure of the Lyon Mountain Ambulance Service.
“Our tiny town is populated with those who have lived there their entire life and worry every day if they have an emergency, will the ambulance get there on time,” Carter said. “Being a mom of four young boys, this can be something to which I can relate. My husband, being the chief of the Lyon Mountain Fire Department, has stepped up and responded to all EMS calls for our district, and since I joined the department, I have been going on all the EMS calls for Lyon Mountain. I have learned a lot in these last couple of months and it has sparked a new fire in my soul.”
That spark prompted Carter to enroll in the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at Clinton Community College (CCC) this fall. Although she never imagined this career path, she is motivated by a strong desire to give back to her community.
Lifting a Weight
EMTs are the first on the scene in medical emergencies, providing crucial care and transporting patients to medical facilities. Clinton Community College’s EMT program is perfect for people like Carter, who want to be part of emergency preparedness and response.
The program is dedicated to building a well-trained EMS workforce to keep our communities safe. Over 40 students are enrolled in CCC’s EMT program, which had a 100% pass rate last semester.
Alex Goss, a Plattsburgh City resident who needed EMT care after a car accident in 2013, is also participating in the program this semester to pick up a second job and keep up with the cost of living. “The EMTs that arrived to support me were professional and kind, lifting the weight of the moment off my shoulders,” Goss said. He hopes to one day provide the same relief and support to others.
Cameron J. Lee, a U.S. Army servicemember and EMT-B at CVPH, is enrolled in the Advanced EMT program to help secure a civilian job when he’s not on duty. Amanda Cudemo, from Champlain, discovered a passion for helping others while caring for her partner’s grandmother after a stroke. Ella Cutcher, a Plattsburgh resident motivated by a strong desire to support their local community and the nation, has joined the EMT program.
Lending a Hand
The Clark Currier EMT Scholarship also helps these students. The scholarship and the donations that make it possible are making life safer for residents of Clinton County. The scholarship honors Clark Currier, a longtime volunteer firefighter, EMT, swift water rescuer, and community friend who served on the Clinton Community College Foundation Board for 10 years, including three years as board chair.
The scholarship has deep Clinton County connections, too. “Twinstate Technologies is proud to have created, and continue to sponsor, our local and much revered Clinton Community College and its EMT program,” said Devi Momot, CEO / CISO at Twinstate. “To increase participation in the program and remove financial obstacles for students, we created a scholarship in honor of Clark Currier, one of the region’s longest and most committed EMT volunteers.”
Clark was a second-generation leader at Twinstate Technologies and is deeply committed to the community. After the EMT training at CCC, the scholarship was created to support more individuals certified in EMT skills. “Clark’s family members at Twinstate are proud to sponsor our local Clinton Community College in honor of my brother, Clark Currier, for the new EMT Scholarship Program,” said Dawn Currier-Juneau. “Our communities in the region need more volunteers and paid EMTs. They save lives. We thank Clark for his untiring service and help to many people over many years.”
Giving Back
Carter said the scholarship helps her, her community, and her department. “While being on these calls, the main concern we hear all the time is how long will the ambulance take to get here,” she said. “We reassure them the ambulance is on its way and the response time is 8- 12 minutes. Going on these calls has helped me see what I want to do to give back to the community more, which is to be able to assist those in need.”Carter said that taking the EMT course will improve her department, reassure those in her district that help is on the way, and allow her to give back to the community more.
Clinton Community College’s EMT program is a great opportunity for anyone interested in becoming an EMT and making a difference in their community. For more information about the program, visit www.clinton.edu/workforce/individuals/ems-program.aspx.
To support the Clark Currier EMT Scholarship, visit http://www.clinton.edu/alumni-and…/foundation/default.aspx.
Posted: September 5th, 2024 under General News.