1st Panhandle Regional Fire and EMS School Held

GOODWELL, Okla. – Oklahoma Panhandle State University helped sponsor the 1st Panhandle Regional Fire and EMS School that was held Sept. 24-25. Approximately 140 firefighting and emergency medical services providers representing 39 departments from Oklahoma, Colorado, Texas and Kansas spent the weekend in Guymon to sharpen their skills and learn the latest techniques. Students from as far away as Las Animas, Colo. and Ponder, Texas participated in a variety of firefighting, fire safety and emergency medical technician (EMT) courses. Students spent part of the time in traditional classroom settings, but most of their time was spent actually practicing methods and exchanging ideas and information. The 17 instructors issued 173 certificates to those who completed courses.

OPSU and the Guymon Fire Department partner to provide an Associate in Applied Science in Technology degree with a Fire Protection and Safety Training option as well as Continuing Education courses and in-service fire training exercises. OPSU has graduated over 20 students from their Fire Protection and Safety Training option in their associate’s degree program and at least 50 EMTs have been trained as a result of this partnership. The collaboration was recognized in 2010 through the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education Community Development Partnership award.

OPSU is proud to help meet our area’s need for trained emergency responders and salutes all of the professionals and volunteers who serve in those positions. For more information about OPSU’s Fire Protection program, contact Dr. Justin Collins, Dean of Science, Math and Nursing, at 580/349-1522 or email him at jkcollins@opsu.edu.