WVU Parkersburg receiving grant to fund EMS program [Video]

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) -West Virginia University Parkersburg is receiving a nearly $200,000 grant to help start an emergency medical services program.

The grant of $199,383.08 comes from the West Virginia Community and Technical College System.

WVUP President Torie Jackson said the two-year degree program will cover areas including advanced airway management, emergency cardiology, and traumatic life support.

Jackson said they’ve previously been able to offer EMS courses through a partnership with Bridge Valley Community and Technical College. She said getting funding for the program at WVUP will allow them to sustain the program locally.

“I think it’s important to the local area that we have people who are trained in EMS,” she said. “There are a lot of paramedics that work for ambulance services or fire departments or the hospital, and there are a lot of first responders who could really benefit from having this two-year degree. So, it’s an …