Multiple programs at JALC benefit from Jackson County Ambulance donation

CARTERVILLE - John A. Logan College needed a new simulator for the EMT/EMS program at the College. Jackson County Ambulance needed to dispose of a used ambulance.

The result is a donation to the College and an opportunity for multiple programs to get hands-on experience.

"We were looking for a simulator that would not be confined to a classroom for our EMT/EMS students when I got a call from Kenton Schafer from the Jackson County Ambulance Service about a possible donation," said Associate Dean for Career and Technical Education Scott Wernsman. "He said they had an Ambulance that was going to the scrap yard, but he would rather donate it to the College to help with training.

Wernsman stated that as he began to research converting the ambulance into a simulator, he saw an opportunity for multiple programs to benefit from the donation.

"We found a trailer design that would give the mobility we need in the simulator that would involve several CTE programs in the conversion," said Wernsman. "Auto Services, Auto Collision, Welding, and Electronics programs will work together to convert the ambulance into the simulator trailer."

According to Wernsman, the College will use Perkins Grant money to pay for the materials.

"With the donation of the ambulance, grant money, and students providing the labor, we will have a state-of-the-art simulator with little or no financial investment from the College."

John A. Logan College President Dr. Kirk Overstreet sees this as another example of the College giving students real-world experience.

"This is what we do at community colleges and John A. Logan College in particular. We provide valuable hands-on experience that has our students ready for the workforce when they complete their studies."

Overstreet added that everyone benefits from this type of partnership.

"Our EMT/EMS students benefit from having this simulator for their training. Jackson County Ambulance and other local ambulance services benefit from having future employees train in this simulator, and our other students and future employers benefit from the experience gained building the simulator."

<i>To learn more about Career and Technical Education programs at JALC, contact the admissions office at 618-985-2828, Ext. 8213 or by email admissions@jalc.edu. To see the Ambulance Simulator's progress, follow John A. Logan College on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.</i>