Department of Fire and Rescue

Accredited Paramedic Program

Paramedic Program Photo 1.jpg

On July 21, 2016, the Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue was awarded initial programmatic accreditation for the paramedic program. The program demonstrated that it met or exceeded all national Standards as set forth by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP). The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is one of only two fire-based paramedic programs to be awarded this accreditation within the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Graduates of the paramedic program are eligible to sit for the National Registry paramedic examination to obtain national and state certification. Additionally, students can use their certification to obtain college credit towards an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Emergency Medical Services through the Virginia Community College System (VCCS).

Program Goal:

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue's Paramedic Program strives to prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.

Program Outcomes:

	Number Enrolled	Retention	NR Cognitive Exam	NR Psychomotor Exam	Positive Placement
Cumulative Average	12	97%	100%	100%	100%
Past 3-year Average	13.66	98%	100%	100%	100%
Inactive Status	0	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A
2022-2023 Paramedic Program	16	100%	100%*	100%	100%
2022 Advanced Placement I to P	7	100%	100%	100%	100%
2020-2021 Paramedic Program	18	94%	100%	100%	100%
2019-2020 Paramedic Program	22	86%	100%	100%	100%
2018-2019 Paramedic Program	7	100%	100%	100%	100%
2017-2018 Paramedic Program	9	100%	100%	100%	100%
2017 Advanced Placement I to P	7	100%	100%	100%**	100%
2015-2016 Paramedic Program	10	90%	100%	100%	100%
2014-2015 Paramedic Program	12	100%	100%	100%	100%

**Not all advanced placement paramedic (EMT-I to paramedic) students were required to complete practical skill testing, per policy from National Registry of EMTs. Pass rate data for NREMT Practical Exam are based on students that were required to sit for practical skill testing in this cohort.

Class Size:

The program generally offers up to 16 slots, per program, per year with a maximum capacity of 24. The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue limits the number of participants to courses each year to optimize student success through a favorable student-to-instructor ratio. The number may exceed 16 slots in special situations when adequate resources are available.

Advanced Placement Policy:

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue does offer advanced placement to specific participants who are seeking to graduate or become eligible to sit for the National Registry examination at the paramedic level. Individuals who are currently certified as a Virginia EMT-Intermediate and have valid AHA BLS and ACLS certifications are eligible for announced Advanced Placement Paramedic Programs only. This course is a rigorous abbreviated program designed for experienced providers. All participants seeking to graduate or become eligible for the National Registry examination must complete all requirements as set forth in the course syllabus. Other certification levels are not eligible for this placement.

Paramedic Program Photo 2.jpg

Affiliation Agreement:

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue facilitates the awarding of college credit through the VCCS credit for prior learning. The program has an affiliation agreement with Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA) where students can receive up to 39 credits towards an Associate in Applied Science (AAS) Degree in Emergency Medical Services. An additional 5 credits may be earned for certification courses which take place during the program. More information on this agreement is provided in the course manual. Please note, a minimum of 25% of the credit required for any NOVA degree must be earned at NOVA.

Accreditation:

The Prince William County Department of Fire and Rescue is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon recommendation of the Committee of Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).