Kellogg Community College to reinvigorate EMS workforce through $350,000 grant

Greyson Steele
Battle Creek Enquirer

BATTLE CREEK — Kellogg Community College has received a $350,000 grant aimed at reinvigorating the emergency medical services workforce in Michigan.

The Emergency Medical Services Workforce grant, issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, will cover the cost of KCC Paramedic Certificate Program training — up to $15,000 per student — for the first 18 eligible applicants enrolling in the 2023-24 Paramedic Academy.

Students also will receive additional funds — up to $1,300 — to cover the cost of gas and transportation, child care, uniforms and "other assistive supports to help remove obstacles and increase their chances for success in the program," KCC officials said.

“We’re thrilled to be able to offer this grant opportunity to students interested in advancing their EMS careers,” Clark Imus, EMS education program coordinator at KCC, said in a release. “The EMSW-2023 grant will provide a significant cost savings to our Paramedic Certificate students, allowing them to focus on their training and their further careers in the field of emergency medical services.”

KCC Emergency Medical Services students participate in simulation exercises in the college’s EMS Sim Lab.

Program scholarships are first come, first served for eligible applicants, who must be licensed EMTs to apply. Applications are available now at kellogg.edu/ems and will be accepted until June 30 — or until the program is full.

The grant also provides funds for EMS training facility upgrades and will allow KCC to offer the full Paramedic Program on the college’s Grahl Center campus in Coldwater.

Additional grant funds are allocated for a dedicated program “navigator” to offer coaching and counseling services specifically for 2023-24 Paramedic Program students.  

“This grant is a game changer for our Paramedic Program and for EMS education in Michigan,” Tonya Forbes, vice president for Instruction at KCC, said in the release. “By expanding our program offerings and providing additional support services for students, we can help address the critical shortage of paramedics statewide and provide students with the training they need to succeed in this high-demand field.”

KCC’s Paramedic Certificate Program is a 15-month, four-semester program featuring hands-on training for EMS professionals interested in advancing their skills. It’s one of several laddered EMS credentials offered as part of the college's EMS Program, which also includes the one-course Medical First Responder (MFR) Certificate Program; the five-course Basic EMT Certificate Program; and the full five-semester Associate in Applied Science in Emergency Medical Services degree program. 

KCC also offers professional UMBC Critical Care Certificate (Adult and Pediatric), EMS Instructor/Coordinator Certificate and Community Integrated Paramedic training. 

For more information, visit kellogg.edu/ems.

Contact reporter Greyson Steele at gsteele@battlecreekenquirer.com