From Classroom to Call-out: Building Strong High School EMT Programs Through Education and EMS Partnerships

High school EMT programs are a critical pipeline for developing the next generation of Emergency Medical Services professionals, but their success depends on intentional collaboration between schools, EMS agencies, and regulatory bodies. This session is designed for EMS leaders, educators, and training officers who want to better understand how high school EMT programs operate within South Carolina and how agencies can actively support student success while maintaining regulatory compliance.

Participants will explore how to establish and sustain a high school EMT program through the South Carolina Department of Education (SCDE) while ensuring alignment with South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) requirements and National Registry expectations. The presentation will clarify educator credentialing requirements, program structure (EMS I–III), and common compliance challenges, while highlighting best practices for agency involvement such as clinical placements, mentorship, skills reinforcement, and workforce transition.

Attendees will leave with a clear understanding of the shared responsibility between education and EMS agencies in developing competent, confident, and career ready EMT students, as well as practical strategies to strengthen partnerships that benefit students, schools, and the EMS workforce.