For those interested in becoming an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT), there are upcoming EMT classes in many Central Pennsylvania locations offered through the Senator John J. Shumaker Public Safety Center at HACC, Central Pennsylvania's Community College.

The EMT Basic Emergency Medical Technician course is scheduled to begin throughout the month of September in Adams, Dauphin, Lancaster, and York Counties.

• In Adams County, the course will run from September 28 - April 5 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6 to 9 p.m. The course location is the Adams County Emergency Service Training Facility.

• In Dauphin County, the course will run from September 6 - January 29 on Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 10 p.m. The course site will be the Halifax Fire Company.

• The course will be offered in Lancaster County at three different locations. From September 9 - January 20, the course will be held on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Manheim Township Ambulance Association. From September 18 - February 22, the course will be held on Mondays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. at Ephrata Hospital. From September 19 - February 22, Solanco Area will host the training on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 10 p.m.

• In York County, the course will run from September 14 - February 8 on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:30 to 10 p.m. The course location will be the Pleasant Hill Volunteer Fire Department.

• There is still time to enroll in the Basic Emergency Medical Technician course yet this month (August). Sessions begin in Cumberland County August 28 and continue through January 22. Please contact HACC for exact location. In Dauphin County, the course runs August 29 through January 23, Tuesday and Thursday 6:30 to 10pm at HACC's Shumaker Public Safety Center. From August 22 through January 18 the class is scheduled to run on Monday and Thursday 6:30 to 10pm at the Lancaster County Public Safety Training Center.

An Emergency Medical Technician is a staff member of a basic life support ambulance providing routine and emergency care and transportation of the sick and injured. Many students also use the EMT training program to obtain entry level positions in healthcare, emergency rooms and into the private sector.

Upon successful completion of HACC's 140-hour program, participants should be able to perform a number of complex skills such as spinal immobilization, use of an automated external defibrillator (AED), assisting patients with medications, performing patient assessments, performing CPR, and taking vital signs. Upon successful completion, students also will be eligible to test in PA Department of Health practical and written examinations. The certification exam is required to become an EMT in any healthcare setting or in the private sector.

The EMT class may be used as a free elective toward a HACC degree program, and students should consult their HACC counselor for more information.

In-state tuition is $175 and must be paid in full when registering. Registration and information may be obtained for this and other classes in many Central Pennsylvania counties by accessing HACC's Public Safety Center Emergency Medical Services Training Unit calendar at Website below or by calling (717) 780-2510.