West Virginia Northern Community College gets first-hand look at ambulance simulator recently unveiled by Governor Justice

West Virginia Northern Community College’s (WVNCC) Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program got a first-hand look at one of the brand-new mobile ambulance simulators recently unveiled by Governor Jim Justice. One of the five simulators was on the Wheeling Campus on Wednesday, October 12, and is expected to be kept in Wheeling to be used for training by WVNCC and other agencies. The state-of-the-art mobile ambulance simulators are part of Governor Justice’s EMS WV: Answer the Call initiative, which is in place to strengthen the state’s EMS workforce.

Three members of the WVNCC EMS program recently traveled to Charleston and attended a two-day training on how to use the simulator, including EMS Program Director Ms. Linda Steele. “This will be a game changer for our EMT, Advanced EMT and paramedic students as well as the first responder community,” said Steele. “Being able to provide real-life training and bring it to EMS students and current providers will enhance our education process.”

The mobile ambulance simulator will provide WVNCC the ability to expand training outside the classroom and bring it to remote areas. The simulated ambulances are equipped with high-fidelity mannequins, advanced recording equipment and are fully stocked to allow students to participate in “real-life” training. The ambulance simulators are managed by HealthNet Aeromedical Services on behalf of the Community and Technical College System and funded through a portion of West Virginia’s allocation of CARES Act dollars.

“In addition to WVNCC’s EMS training programs, these simulators can be used by individual agencies to keep current EMTs and Paramedics updated on the latest EMS standards – which strengthens prehospital care for the community,” said Dr. Phil Klein, WVNCC vice president of economic and workforce development. 

Anyone interested in WVNCC’s EMS program can contact the College at 304-214-8968.