LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — Twenty-six students have completed Clark County’s Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Academy and are preparing to join Southern Nevada’s emergency medical workforce, the county said.
The county said the workforce development initiative addresses the region’s need for trained emergency medical responders and creates pathways to careers.
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The county said local ambulance providers and public officials identified challenges related to emergency medical staffing and ambulance response times in the years after the COVID-19 pandemic. County leaders viewed the shortage as a public safety concern and as an opportunity to connect residents with careers in healthcare and emergency services.
“We’re seeing residents gain industry-recognized credentials, enter high-demand careers and help fill critical positions throughout Southern Nevada’s emergency medical system,” said Shani Coleman, director of the Clark County Office of Community and Economic Development. “The academy is demonstrating how targeted workforce training can create opportunities for residents while helping employers address staffing needs.”
Participants complete accelerated training that combines classroom instruction, hands-on skills development, clinical experience and state and national certification requirements, according to the county. The county said graduates leave prepared to pursue careers in emergency medical services and other professions that value emergency medical training.
Advanced EMT certification provides additional medical training and patient-care capabilities beyond the basic EMT level, the county said. It said the certification enables graduates to play a greater role in emergency response and pre-hospital medical care.
The Nov. 9 graduates are the sixth EMT/AEMT cohort to complete the program since it launched in early 2025, the county said. The academy provides no-cost training for residents.
The initiative is delivered through partnerships with Workforce Connections, the EMS Training Center of Southern Nevada and the Clark County Fire Department.
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