When emergency medical services agencies across South Mississippi began reporting persistent shortages of advanced EMTs and paramedics, the impact was felt throughout the region. Local EMS providers, hospitals, and fire departments struggled to recruit and retain qualified personnel, placing additional strain on existing staff and creating challenges in meeting the growing demand for emergency care.
For many aspiring emergency medical professionals, pursuing advanced training meant traveling long distances to attend classes. These barriers often delay career advancement, limit workforce growth, and make it more difficult for local agencies to fill critical positions.
With support from AccelerateMS, Pearl River Community College (PRCC) launched its Advanced EMT/Paramedic program at the Forrest County Campus. Funding provided essential training equipment, facility construction, and faculty support needed to establish the program and create a local pathway for advanced EMS education.
Since its launch, the program has already begun delivering meaningful results. PRCC has graduated five students and currently has six students enrolled, with enrollment increasing in every cohort. Most notably, the program has achieved a 100% job placement rate for graduates, helping local employers meet urgent workforce needs while allowing students to build rewarding careers close to home.
The impact extends beyond individual students. By expanding access to advanced EMS training, PRCC is strengthening the emergency response system across South Mississippi. Graduates are entering the workforce prepared to provide advanced life-support services, helping reduce staffing shortages and improve the availability of critical care in communities throughout the region.
Local industry partners have praised the program’s value.
“Having the AEMT/Paramedic program at PRCC gives our employees a chance to stay local and receive their education,” said Steve White of Life Guard Ambulance Service.
Similarly, Kevin Heurtin of AAA Ambulance Service emphasized the long-term workforce benefits.
“Many of our employees have been waiting for the opportunity to have a paramedic program here locally for several years,” he said. “The PRCC program is creating opportunities for them to go to paramedic school. Supporting them through tuition assistance helps us secure the paramedics we need to continue to provide ambulance service to our communities in the future.”
Looking ahead, PRCC plans to continue expanding the program by increasing enrollment, strengthening clinical and field partnerships, and enhancing simulation-based training opportunities. As construction on the dedicated training space is completed, the college expects continued growth and an even greater impact on the region’s healthcare and public safety workforce.
Through strategic investment and strong community partnerships, PRCC is helping ensure that South Mississippi has the highly trained emergency medical professionals needed to serve its communities today and into the future.