The District of Columbia Fire and Emergency Medical Services Department (DC Fire and EMS) has a credo of the B.A.S.I.C.S. (Bravery, Accountability, Safety, Integrity, Compassion, and Service). As part of this, the Mayor's office is seeking a university to partner in the creation and development of a for-credit paramedic certificate program prior to September 30, 2024. The vision is to have a District-based, accredited training program that can both provide a pathway to the middle class for District residents and help address the shortage of paramedic professionals at DC Fire and EMS.
The program that the university develops should strive for CAAHEP accreditation, by achieving CoAEMSP LoR status and DC Health certification, prior to starting the first cohort. The program should follow the National Standard Curriculum and is responsible for finding its own program director and medical director who meet CoAEMSP standards. DC Fire and EMS paramedics may be available to be hired as adjunct instructors for the program at the university’s standard adjunct rate.
The university must be prepared to work with DC Fire and EMS regarding scheduling of classes, so as not to interfere with DC Fire and EMS shifts (we pledge to supply up to 50% of each cohort with existing DC Fire and EMS EMTs who need to upskill). It must also be prepared to have a robust Quality Assurance (QA) relationship, in which the Department’s suggestions improve the educational program.
The program must also offer extensive and intensive tutoring and mentoring, as well as any required English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) and/or remedial coursework and wraparound student support services. In order to provide the aforementioned pathway to the middle class for District residents, the university should be prepared to create and sustain an EMT program or create an articulation agreement with an extant EMT program (such as is offered through select DCPS high schools and DC Fire and EMS). The university should also have a relationship with a hospital such that paramedic students can do the clinical portion of their education.
For information regarding program components, see: https://communityaffairs.dc.gov/sites/moca/files/dc/sites/moca/publication/attachments/FINAL%202023%20RFA%20-%20FEMS%20Paramedic%20School%20FEMS-1.pdf#page=5
Eligible Expenses:
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