BCC's EMT Training Course Fills Need in Berkshire County

10:48AM / Monday, August 12, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — Berkshire Community College (BCC) reports that of the 13 students who completed its Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training, nine took the required psychomotor test, and all nine passed the exam.

Once they pass the written exam, they will be ready for immediate employment as EMTs in Berkshire County, filling an urgent workforce need.

EMTs work alongside paramedics to help assess injuries, provide emergency medical care and transfer patients to medical facilities. A psychomotor test measures proficiency in hands-on skills, including patient assessment and management, ventilatory assistance, oxygen administration, cardiac arrest management and spinal immobilization.

Christine Isca, a paramedic with 25 years of experience who is the training supervisor and instructor coordinator for County Ambulance Service, noted that if all nine students complete the certification process, it would be enough to supply north, south and central Berkshire with three new EMTs each. Isca is the instructor for BCC's EMT training courses.

The EMT program, part of BCC's Workforce Development and Community Education department, conducts both in-person training in Pittsfield and virtual training in Great Barrington and North Adams. The program prepares students for the National Registry of Medical Technicians practical and cognitive testing. Upon completion of the program and successful certification with the National Registry of EMTs, students can apply for certification by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services.

Tiffany Moreno, Instructional Program Manager: Health & Social Services at BCC, said the EMT program is "a great reflection of community partnership and BCC's ability to meet the needs of the community as a whole." This success, Moreno said, directly aligns with 1Berkshire's Berkshire Blueprint 2.0, which aims to support economic development across the region — specifically, the healthcare cluster, which employs more than 11,000 people and represents a substantial portion of the county's jobs.

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Dalton Board Signs Off on Land Sale Over Residents' Objections

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:50AM / Tuesday, December 23, 2025

Residents demanded the right to speak but the agenda did not include public comment. Amy Musante holds a sign saying the town now as '$20,000 less for a police station.'

DALTON, Mass. — The Select Board signed the sale on the last of what had been known as the Bardin property Monday even as a handful of residents demanded the right to speak against the action.

The quitclaim deed transfers the nine acres to Thomas and Esther Balardini, who purchased the two other parcels in Dalton. They were the third-highest bidders at $31,500. Despite this, the board awarded them the land in an effort to keep the property intact.

"It's going to be an ongoing battle but one I think that has to be fought [because of] the disregard for the taxpayers," said Dicken Crane, the high bidder at $51,510.

"If it was personal I would let it go, but this affects everyone and backing down is not in my nature."

Crane had appealed to the board to accept his bid during two previous meetings. He and others opposed to accepting the lower bid say it cost the town $20,000. After the meeting, Crane said he will be filing a lawsuit and has a citizen's petition for the next town meeting with over 100 signatures.

Three members of the board — Chair Robert Bishop Jr., John Boyle, and Marc Strout — attended the 10-minute meeting. Members Anthony Pagliarulo and Daniel Esko previously expressed their disapproval of the sale to the Balardinis.

Pagliarulo voted against the sale but did sign the purchase-and-sale agreement earlier this month. His reasoning was the explanation by the town attorney during an executive session that, unlike procurement, where the board is required to accept the lowest bid for services, it does have some discretion when it comes to accepting bids in this instance.

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