Paramedic program at WWU receives accreditation

The paramedic training program run by Western Washington University, Whatcom Medic One and the Bellingham Fire Department for regional fire and EMS agency-sponsored employees recently received accreditation by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.

CAAHEP accreditation ensures that the quality of the curriculum meets all national standards and provides the program’s graduates with the skills and knowledge to achieve state and national certification.

For more than 35 years, Whatcom Medic One/Bellingham Fire Department has conducted paramedic training classes for the Bellingham Fire Department and other regional pre-hospital paramedic response agencies. Western entered into a partnership with Whatcom Medic One/Bellingham Fire Department to continue to provide high quality education at a more cost-effective accelerated pace than previous classes.

A hallmark of the program’s curriculum is the emphasis on practical field experience throughout the course. This highly intensive and practical experience-based program challenges participants to rapidly achieve a high level of skill and decision making ability in response to the unique and geographically diverse needs of the county-wide Medic One system.

An accreditation team extensively reviewed the curriculum; qualifications and quality of instructors, clinical site experience and program oversight. This review included an in-depth site and records inspection and interviews with students, faculty, and medical providers involved with the program. The team commended Western and Whatcom Medic One for the emphasis on high-quality practical street experience while in training and the comprehensive nature of the curriculum. They also noted that this program should be looked to as a model for other paramedic training programs around the country.

For more information on the accredited paramedic training program offered through WWU, Whatcom MedicOne and the Bellingham Fire Department, contact Ariel Cleasby-Heaven, WWU Professional Development Program manager, at ariel.cleasby-heaven@wwu.edu or (360) 650-3717.