Twelve Randolph High School Seniors Graduate with Diploma & Emergency Services Certifications

June 23, 2015 – This spring, Massasoit Community College, in partnership with the Town of Randolph, offered high school seniors at Randolph High School the opportunity to participate in a customized Emergency Responder Program. Twelve students enrolled in the program, which began on March 17. The program consists of 100-hours of classroom time paired with hands-on training. At the end of the program, these students will have gained their CPR certification, blood born pathogen certificate, first responder certification, the first aid certificate, and National Incident Management (NIMS) Certificate.

The students spent 2 ½ hours of each school day participating in the program. The Randolph Fire and Police Departments conducted some of the trainings, and supplied much of the necessary equipment to conduct training on-site at the high school. Massasoit EMS lead instructor Nastassia Swanson teaches there four days a week. The Town of Randolph funded the program, including tuition, fees, books, and uniforms for the students.

Six of the twelve students are now enrolled in Massasoit’s EMT Basic Program in Middleborough. Of those who are not enrolled in the EMT program, they all have plans: Valerie Mata will attend Regis College this fall as a biology major with hopes of entering the medical field. Deedee Thomas has joined the National Guard and will go to basic training on June 29 as a medic, a path she is already on due to her training.

“This program is transformational for these students and the community,” said Scott Meagher, director of Massasoit’s paramedic program. “If they have an opportunity to do something and they like it, what else can you ask for?”