Catawba Valley Community College Department of Emergency Medical Science

07/08/2026

International Paramedics Day 2026 takes place on July 8th, recognizing and celebrating the critical, life-saving contributions of paramedics and first responders worldwide. The official theme for 2026 is Innovate & Integrate, which highlights the evolution of paramedicine into modern, connected healthcare.

06/08/2026

📢 Hey everyone, it's !

We saw CVCC Law Enforcement Training having a blast highlighting their archives, and we decided the EMS department needed to get in on the action! Why let them have all the fun? 🚒🚑

Deep in the Catawba Valley Community College Library history books was this gem from the Hickory Daily Record, dated Friday, September 23, 1983! The article, titled 'Students Test Emergency Device,' takes us back over 40 years.

Check out these CVCC (then Catawba Valley Technical College) students in training! They are practicing with a "recently purchased XP-1 extrication device"—the cutting-edge tech of 1983 designed to immobilize the spine! 😮

A huge shout-out to the local heroes pictured here making history. Who remembers training with the XP-1?

We've come a long way, but the commitment to excellent training never changes. Happy Memory Monday, everyone!

06/08/2026

🚨 Big Congratulations to One of Our Own! 🚨

We are incredibly proud to celebrate Paige Walker, a 2016 graduate of the CVCC Paramedic Program, for winning 2nd Place in the 2026 Best of NC Heroes Contest! 🥈🚑

Paige represents the absolute best of this profession. Not only does she make our program proud by being an exceptional, compassionate paramedic out in the field, but she also continuously gives back to the profession she holds so highly by serving as an incredible instructor to the next generation of life-savers.

Please join us in congratulating Paige on this well-deserved honor! 🎉

We also want to extend a huge thank you to Horton & Mendez, Attorneys at Law, PLLC for sponsoring this contest and for recognizing North Carolina's first responders, healthcare providers, and educators for the true heroes they are. Thank you for supporting those who dedicate their lives to serving our communities!

05/20/2026

🚨 Ready to Launch a Rewarding Career? Become an EMT This Summer! 🚨
Are you looking for a fast-paced, impactful career where you can truly make a difference in your community? Catawba Valley Community College is offering an accelerated Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course this summer!

Whether you want to jumpstart a career in emergency medicine, boost your resume for fire/rescue, or gain invaluable life-saving skills, this program is for you.

📅 Course Details:
Dates: June 2 – July 27

Schedule: Tuesday through Thursday | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Location: Main Campus, CAD Building, Room 310

Don't wait to take the first step toward your future. Spaces are limited!

📧 How to Enroll or Learn More:
Reach out to the EMS program team today at [email protected] for registration details and prerequisites.

05/18/2026

🚑 National EMS Week is Here! (May 17–23, 2026)
This week, we are incredibly proud to honor the dedication, resilience, and lifesaving skill of our nation’s Emergency Medical Services professionals.

To our graduates, current students, instructors, and every provider out there on the front lines: Thank you for answering the call, day or night.

🌟 What Does EMS Do? It’s More Than the Lights and Sirens.
When people think of EMS, they often picture the ambulance rushing down the street. But the true impact of EMS runs much deeper:

-Clinical Excellence on the Move: EMS professionals bring the emergency room directly to the patient. From managing cardiac arrests and severe trauma to administering critical medications, they deliver advanced, high-level healthcare under intense pressure.

-The First Link in the Chain of Survival: In medical emergencies, time is everything. The rapid assessment, stabilization, and definitive care provided by EMS providers dramatically improve patient outcomes before they even reach the hospital doors.

-Advocacy and Education: Beyond response, EMS is deeply rooted in public health—teaching CPR, promoting community injury prevention, and acting as trusted healthcare advocates for patients in their most vulnerable moments.

-Calm in the Chaos: Beyond the clinical skills, EMS providers offer a steady hand, a reassuring voice, and fierce compassion when families are facing their absolute worst days.

🎓 Shaping the Future of Lifesaving
As an education facility, our greatest privilege is watching passionate students transform into competent, compassionate professionals. We don't just teach the curriculum; we train the future backbone of healthcare infrastructure.

To everyone practicing their skills in the lab, prepping for exams, or mentoring the next generation—you are the future of this vital profession, and we couldn't be prouder!

05/15/2026

03/16/2026

In 1979, the EMS landscape looked very different, but history was made right here at Catawba Valley Community College. We are incredibly proud to share that our program was the very first accredited EMS program in North Carolina.

While the technology, protocols, and equipment have changed drastically over the last four decades, our core mission has remained unshakable: providing the highest quality education in prehospital medicine.

What’s Changed?

Then: Analog communication, basic life support foundations, and the very beginning of formal accreditation.

Now: High-fidelity simulation labs, advanced clinical diagnostics, and a statewide reputation for producing elite Paramedics.

What Stays the Same?

Our commitment to our students and the communities they serve.

Whether you graduated in the '80s or are walking across the stage this year, you are part of a legacy of excellence that started right here in Hickory.

We’ve come a long way since '79, and we’re just getting started! Are you a CVCC EMS alum? Drop your graduation year in the comments!

03/16/2026

Are you ready to make a difference when every second counts? 🚑

Join us for the Catawba Valley Community College Open House! Whether you’re a high school student exploring your options or someone looking for a meaningful career change, this is your chance to see what it takes to become a Paramedic or EMT.

Why Visit?

See our advanced simulation equipment in action. We pride ourselves on providing realistic environments that prepare our graduates for the high-pressure demands of the field.

Talk one-on-one with our experienced instructors who bring years of real-world expertise into the classroom.

Learn about the rewarding paths available in Emergency Medical Science and how our program sets you up for success from day one.

Come see how we bridge the gap between the classroom and the emergency scene. Your career in lifesaving starts here!

Do you have a heart for service? Whether you're interested in firefighting, law enforcement, emergency management, or EMS, CVCC’s Community Development & Public Safety Education programs prepare you for careers that make a real impact!

Meet instructors and explore career paths at CVCC’s Open House on March 23rd at 5:30 PM!

RSVP today at cvcc.edu/openhouse and receive a FREE T-shirt at the event while supplies last!

03/16/2026

What an incredible day at Catawba Valley Community College! 🚑

We were honored to host the Regional Paramedic Competition, and the energy on campus was electric. Watching the area's top paramedic teams compete was an invaluable masterclass for our Paramedic Students; seeing that level of skill, composure, and teamwork in action is truly inspiring.

A huge congratulations to all the competing teams! The talent on display was world-class, and every participant should be proud of the dedication they brought to the floor.

The "Industrial Scene" simulation was a realistic challenge for the competitors. This level of realism wouldn’t have been possible without the generous prop donations from Arrow Door & Hardware in Hickory, NC. Thank you for investing in the future of emergency medicine and helping us create a top-tier scenario environment!

We are already looking forward to next year. Stay safe out there!

12/17/2025

The Paramedic Class of 2026 has officially completed their third semester and are now stepping into Capstone, the final stretch before graduation!
Their hard work and dedication has been inspiring, and they finished the year strong with an amazing high-fidelity simulation lab led by our outstanding Medical Director Dr. Jason Coffey and guest lecturer PA Hunter Hardaway.
A special thank you to A & H Meats for their generous donation and support—this event wouldn’t have been possible without you!