BCC to Offer Two Summer EMT Training Courses

Print Story | Email Story
PITTSFIELD, MA — Berkshire Community College (BCC), in conjunction with Action Ambulance and County Ambulance, will offer two EMT training courses this summer. 
 
The Action Ambulance course will be held June 2 – Sept. 6 on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and every other Saturday from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. The County Ambulance course will be held June 16 – Aug. 23 on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. – 10 p.m. and every Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Seating is limited, and 100 percent attendance is required. Scholarships are available for students who qualify.  
 
To register for either course, email workforce@berkshirecc.edu or call (413) 236-2115. 
 
An EMT works alongside paramedics to help assess injuries, provide emergency medical care and transfer patients to medical facilities. EMTs typically: 
  • 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, and any treatment provided, to physicians, nurses or other healthcare staff  
  • Inventory and replace medical supplies and clean equipment after use 
 
The program covers the National Emergency Medical Services Educational Standards and 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 may apply for certification by the Massachusetts Office of Emergency Medical Services. 
 
Sponsored by the MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, this project is funded through the Workforce Competitiveness Trust Fund FY '21-FY '22 Appropriations and American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 through the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development. It is administered by Commonwealth Corporation. 

Tags: BCC,   

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Companion Corner: Robert and Marmee at Berkshire Humane Society

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — There is a bonded pair of felines looking for a new home where they can window watch.

iBerkshire's Companion Corner is a weekly series spotlighting an animal in our local shelters that is ready to find a home.  

Marmee and Robert are two domestic shorthair cats who are about 5 years old and have been at the shelter for a couple of months.

Feline/small animal adoption counselor Alyssa Petell introduced us to them.  

"They were originally strays, and they were found together with their kittens that they had," she said. "We adopted out all of the kittens that they had, and they did end up with a respiratory infection, which we did have to isolate them for a couple months to let them recover from that respiratory infection. They have since recovered from that, and they're doing amazing now."

After recovering, they have shown to be very affectionate. While a little shy at first, they want to know who you are.

"Robert and Marmee are super affectionate. They love to be pet. They just want love all the time. Chin scratches and all," Petell  said.

The two are bonded and would need to go home together. They love to play with string toys and lounge around together.

"Robert and Marmee are super super bonded, as I mentioned earlier. So they definitely need to go home together. They sleep together. They groom each other. They just absolutely love each other, and they are also super playful," she said. "They got lots of toys, and they both have just wonderful personalities." 

The cats can go to a home with children and possibly other cats. They have not been tested with dogs but it may be OK with a cat-friendly dog.

"We don't know about how they would be around dogs because you know we don't have much history since they were strays," Petell said. "But with other cats, they should be fine. They're really good with each other, and they've been really tolerant of other cats in our shelter, so I think they would do great with other cats. Kids should be fine, and I guess we're just not really sure about dogs."

When bringing them into their new home, they will be very curious but will be an amazing addition to a family.

"They are really curious. They definitely are funny. They do like to get into things, so just be careful with what food you have out or items, because they just want to know what's going on and see if they can find a little snack sometimes." she said. "But they are just wonderful, super affectionate, super curious and amazing cats." 

You can visit the two at the Berkshire Humane Society and read more about them on the website.

View Full Story

More Pittsfield Stories