BCC Offers Free EMT Basic Training Course

08:06AM / Wednesday, December 18, 2024Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass — The Workforce & Community Education Program at Berkshire Community College (BCC) presents an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basic training course from Jan. 23 through

April 26, 2025.

Two class times will be available on Mondays and Wednesdays, either noon-4 p.m. or 6-10 p.m., plus every other Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuition is grant-funded for eligible applicants. One hundred percent attendance is required for this training course.

Instructor Christine Isca offers face-to-face instruction at County Ambulance, located at 175 Wahconah Street in Pittsfield. Space is limited, and pre-registration is required.

To register, visit www.berkshirecc.edu/emt.

The program covers the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards and prepares students for National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians practical and cognitive testing. Upon completion of the program and successful certification with the National Registry of EMTs, students are eligible to apply for certification by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services.

EMTs work alongside paramedics to help assess injuries, provide emergency medical care and transfer patients to medical facilities. Typically, EMTs:

Respond to calls for medical assistance, such as at the scene of a car accident in which someone is injured
Assess people's condition and determine what treatment, if any, is needed
Provide treatment, such as first aid or life support care, to sick or injured patients
Prepare patients for and safely transport them to the emergency department of a hospital or other healthcare facility
Document and report observations, as well as any treatment provided, to physicians, nurses or other healthcare staff
Inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment after use

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Pittsfield Committee Recommends Scanlon for City Audit

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires.com
11:59AM / Sunday, August 02, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass.— After the bid for a new auditing company came back more than 30 percent higher, Pittsfield will stick with Scanlon and Associates.

On Tuesday, the Auditing Services Evaluation Committee voted, 4-2, to advance Scanlon to the City Council for an independent audit. CliftonLarsonAllen also responded to the bid, but came in costing $120,000 more.

“I have to go with saving money for the city. I mean, the discrepancy is too much of a difference,” committee member Karen Kalinowsky said.

“The city could have used for that difference over the next three years.”

This process was prompted by Rule 40 of the council rules and the City Charter, where in any year the City Council votes to hold a procurement process for an independent certified public accountant or firm to audit Pittsfield's books and accounts, the city must, through its Finance Committee with the assistance of the purchasing department, solicit requests for proposals or invitations for bids before June 1.

The council in March recommended that the purchasing agent draft a request for proposals and put it out to bid.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren, who has vocally supported the independent audit for years, said the city doesn’t have to follow a bidding process for the professional service, “We are doing this so the public knows that we're being professional and are looking for other options, looking at what the best options are, and comparing them based on what they can offer and what the cost is.”

Board member Kathy Amuso said both CLA and Scanlon have comparable reviews with high recommendations. Especially considering the budget crisis Pittsfield is in, she moved to recommend Scanlon to the full council.

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