care to the emergency department , which in this scenario is the Practical Nursing Program . The nursing program then processes the patient just like if it was an emergency room situation .
Prater said his EMS class is “ a pre-hospital setting , so we ’ re in the field just as if it was a car wreck or a heart attack .”
“ This scenario simulation situation gets the kids out of the classroom and puts them handson , instead of just watching over a shoulder ,” he said . “ There ’ s a lot of responsibility that goes along with being an EMT .”
Hadlee Rice , EMS student and a 2022 Comanche High School graduate , said he learned so much about how to help others in a time of need .
“ I ’ m ready to go out and help people in the real world ,” Rice said .
During the simulation Rice took part in , he said they had to transfer an 18-year-old female to the emergency room .
“ She had a laceration on her leg and she had avulsions on her hands ,” he said .
After the training , Rice said he knows the field he will join in the future will bring a bit of roller coaster ride .
“ KNOWING THAT THEY ARE GOING TO GO OUT INTO THE COMMUNITIES AND BE ABLE TO HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES — YOU CAN ’ T PUT A PRICE TAG ON SOMEONE THAT ’ S ABLE TO SAVE A LIFE .”
JEFF PRATER EMS INSTRUCTOR AT RED RIVER TECHNOLOGY CENTER
“ There will be good days and bad days ,” Rice said . “ The good days are always better .”
For those who are interested but undecided , Rice said : “ It ’ s a really fun class . You ’ re not just doing homework everyday — you ’ re doing skills , you ’ re doing hands-on stuff all the time .”
The program is open to high school seniors and adults with a high school diploma or equivalent and runs for one year . That year includes two semesters at five days a week for three hours a day with morning and
evening sessions and each session sits about 10 students , according to Prater .
“ They have to be 18 by the end of March ,” Prater said . “ That ’ s for clinicals , because they actually do ride outs on an ambulance — 48 hours of clinical experience with a certain number of patient contacts that they have to have as part of their experience , part of their certification . Those assets are great to have on a resumé .
“ It ’ s a great program to be involved in ,” Prater said . “ It ’ s exciting , it ’ s fast-paced , it ’ s very informative .”
But Prater gets more fulfillment out of the program than just teaching classes . He gets to watch his once students become fullfledged first responders .
“ Knowing that they are going to go out into the communities and be able to help their communities — you can ’ t put a price tag on someone that ’ s able to save a life ,” Prater said .
For more information about enrolling in classes at Red River Technology Center or to speak with a counselor , contact RRTC by calling 580-255-2903 , ext 230 . For more information on the EMS program offerings , visit https :// www . rrtc . edu / emergency-medical-services /.
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