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Hands-on Training in Fire and Emergency Medical Service

Waukesha County Technical College is proud to offer a wide variety of courses and specialized training opportunities to meet our community's fire and EMS needs.

A Wisconsin state-approved training center, WCTC provides hands-on skills training in our cutting-edge classrooms and labs.

WCTC Fire and EMS Training Center

Initial Fire and EMS Certification Courses

Get started in your fire or EMS career with initial training and coursework at WCTC.

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Emergency Medical Technician

5-credit Technical Diploma

Emergency medical services providers are the first to respond to emergency calls. In this program, develop the skills and knowledge necessary to assess and manage all types of injuries and acute illnesses, while providing safe and rapid transport to a medical facility. Learn about airway management, bleeding and shock, emergency childbirth and automated defibrillation.

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Emergency Medical Responder

Learn basic life support skills that may be used at the scene of an accident or illness, until advanced level care and transport can be arranged. Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) includes topics such as patient movement, airway management and a variety of advanced emergency skills, and is ideal training for those interested in emergency medical services, law enforcement and healthcare.

  • EMR is a great pathway to becoming an EMT but can also be taken as a standalone course.
  • Students who complete the EMR course are eligible to obtain their initial Emergency Medical Responder Provider Certification from the Wisconsin Department of Human Services (DHS).

This 8-week course runs during the evenings in the spring semester and during the day in the fall semester. Students must attend a mandatory program expectation session prior to the course. Courses are typically posted three months prior to the start date.

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Firefighter 1

Learn, develop and practice the practical skills required to perform as a firefighter, while also receiving the didactic theory required to support those skills and related firefighting functions. This course extends past the entry-level courses to better prepare the student to function as a firefighter while also providing the necessary education and skills to be eligible for WTCS Firefighter I certification testing.

  • This one-semester program runs in summer, fall and spring. Courses are typically posted three months prior to the start date.
  • This course meets the NFPA 1001 Standard for Firefighter Professional Qualifications training requirements for WTCS Firefighter I certification.
  • The WCTC Fire I Certification course sign-up includes both Firefighter I (503-720) – substitute for Fire Fighting Principles (503-142), and Hazardous Materials Operations (503-780) – substitute for HazMat Awareness and Ops (503-153). Students must complete the both courses to be eligible for WTCS Firefighter I certification testing.
  • This program includes a Mandatory Program Expectation Session, chosen during sign-up.
  • If you are not affiliated with a fire department, gear rentals are available.

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CPR and First Aid

First aid and CPR skills are essential in a wide range of professions and useful for just about anyone! Keep your knowledge up to date in one of our training courses.

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High School Opportunities

Current high school students can get a head start at WCTC. Explore careers and earn certifications toward a career in fire or EMS through:

Fire and EMS Continuing Education

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Fire Certification Courses

Explore upcoming fire certification courses offered at WCTC.

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Critical Care Paramedic

WCTC offers this course for experienced, licensed paramedic providers.

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EMS Refreshers

WCTC offers refresher courses for all EMS provider levels in a variety of formats.

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AHA Renewal Courses

WCTC is an American Heart Association Regional Training Center.

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Advanced EMT

Learn to provide advanced-level emergency care as an Advanced EMT.

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Paramedic Technician

Learn to provide emergency pre-hospital care as a Paramedic Technician.

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TEMS Training

Explore Tactical Emergency Medical Service training at WCTC.

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Paramedic to Nursing Bridge Program

Become an RN sooner with this accelerated bridge program.

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Associate Degree Programs

Fire and EMS Employment

Many students gain part-time employment after taking Firefighter I or EMT. Some departments will even hire students with no Fire/EMS experience and will pay for basic certification courses. Certification courses or associate degrees can prepare you for a full career in Fire/EMS. WCTC can help prepare you for interviews and connect you to employers.

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Sponsorship for Fire and EMS Courses

Sponsorship or employment is not required to enroll in FireFighter I, FireFighter II or EMS Courses. However, gaining employment or sponsorship prior to attending may allow for gear and supplies to be provided by the department or organization you are affiliated with, along with gaining valuable hands-on insight into the industry and future career opportunities.

Employment Resources

Check out these helpful resources for fire and EMS employment:

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WCTC Fire and EMS Career Fairs

WCTC offers fire/EMS career fairs during each fall and spring semester. Fairs run in conjunction with in-person WCTC open houses, along with virtual offerings in October and May. Visit the WCTC events calendar for upcoming opportunities to connect with fire and EMS employers.

Events Calendar

Adjunct Teaching Opportunities

WCTC Fire and EMS hires adjunct/part-time instructors each spring for the following academic year. Job openings are posted online in May of each year. The hiring process is competitive and requires a teaching demonstration and interview panel.

Qualification Requirements:

  • Fire instructors are required to have a current Emergency Services Instructor I certification.
  • EMS Instructors are required to have at least two years of experience at the license level for which they will be teaching.
  • Daytime, evening and/or weekend availability is required.

Resources for Fire Departments and EMS Organizations

Fire and EMS departments and organizations can request customized training for their members, explore WCTC resources and rentals, post open positions for qualified students and more.

Request a Training

Looking for customized training? Submit a training request for your department. Trainings are scheduled on average 90 days after the request is submitted.

Sign Up for a Career Fair

WCTC offers Fire/EMS Career Fairs during each fall and spring semester, both in person and virtually. To sign up to be included on the employer invite list, email kbaumann2@wctc.edu.

Become an AHA Training Site

WCTC, a regional American Heart Association Training Center, offers AHA instructor training and AHA processing/credentialing to affiliated training sites. View the terms of the agreement. For more information, email wctc-aha@wctc.edu.

Fire Ground Rentals

WCTC offers annual facilities agreements to local agencies and organizations for use of the WCTC Fire Training Grounds with their own department. View the terms of the agreement. For more information, contact chull1@wctc.edu.

Post Open Positions

Employers are invited to post open jobs on Handshake, a free online resource that connects you to talented students and alumni statewide.

Update Your Department Contacts

To update the contact information for your department or organization, email fireEMS@wctc.edu.