Bevill State EMS Program Awarded $81,000 Grant for Mobile Ambulance Lab

October 07, 2016

An $81,000 grant has been awarded to Bevill State to provide an authentic mobile ambulance training laboratory to the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) department.

“This mobile laboratory will support educational programs that will allow Bevill State students to experience training in a real-life ambulance environment, before working with live patients in clinical settings,” explained Scott Karr, director of Emergency Medical Services.

The mobile lab will help Bevill State students complete the short-term EMS certificate then move forward in the program to gain stackable credentials.  “The lab will serve as not only a training unit but will be utilized as a recruiting tool. High school students will be introduced to the EMS career field through career fairs and other events,” said Penne Mott, dean of Health Sciences at Bevill State.

The grant was made possible by the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to serve three of Alabama’s “at-risk” counties: Pickens, Fayette, and Marion. It will also serve Walker County which is listed as a transitional county. All four of these counties also have several medically underserved communities.

Dr. Larry Ferguson, president of Bevill State is excited about the new addition. “This is an outstanding opportunity for the Bevill State service area. Dual enrollment students can now have the lab come directly to them,” said Ferguson.

The objective of the grant is to support educational programs that train healthcare professionals who will locate in Appalachian Alabama and will allow the mobile ambulance unit to be purchased and will pay for an instructor to operate.

“I am pleased to have worked with Bevill State in securing this grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission,” remarked Senate Majority Leader Greg Reed. “Bevill State is a tremendous place for our young people to acquire skills that will lead to quality jobs upon graduation. One of my highest priorities as a legislative leader is advocating for the college to state and national leaders.”

A trauma mannequin was purchased in 2013 via a previously funded ARC grant. This mannequin will now have a home in the new, ARC funded mobile ambulance training lab.

For more information on the Emergency Medical Services program at Bevill State please call, 1-800-648-3271 ext. 5534 or visit www.bscc.edu.