Two Copperas Cove firefighters graduate as paramedics
By PAMELA GRANT
Cove Leader-Press
After 51 weeks of grueling work, 21 hard-working and dedicated students graduated from the Central Texas College (CTC) paramedic program during a ceremony last Thursday afternoon.
Zachary Stevens currently works for the Copperas Cove Fire Department and graduated from the paramedic program on Thursday, along with fellow Copperas Cove firefighter Darrick Gray.
“I feel like if you want to improve your skills and be more beneficial to your community, then you have to go above and beyond,” said Stevens about why he would take the paramedic program even if it weren’t required by the city.
Still, Stevens said that he’s glad it’s over saying, “It feels so good. There’s a lot of pressure off my shoulders.”
“I’m very pleased with their performance,” said Gary Young, Interim Fire Chief for the CCFD. “The paramedic program really changes our staff. It makes them into somebody they’ve never been before…They’ll be the next faces on our ambulances serving the citizens of our community.
Ryan Baker, program director, said that most paramedic programs take two years to complete, but CTC has shortened their program to just 51 weeks, making it one of the fastest programs in the state. The program takes 13 months and offers 31 credit hours. The morning after graduating, students were expected to take the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technician’s Paramedic exam to finally become certified paramedics.
“It’s a very intensive program,” said Baker.
Raeneisha Cole was given the special honor of graduating as class valedictorian. During the graduation, Cole Dement was presented with the unique award of Outstanding Achievement after a patient called in to the school to remark on how happy she was with the care that Dement gave her and how he had gone above and beyond.
As class president, Dement had the chance to share a few words of wisdom with his classmates.
“What matters now is what we make of this,” said Dement. He reminded the class that nobody is perfect, that everyone makes mistakes, and that they should continue to grow and learn, even from their mistakes. Most importantly, he advised the class to “be kind…Empathy and love go a long, long way.”
CTC 2022 paramedic graduates:
Killeen Fire Department - Luiz Cardozo-Araque, Aceliz Armas, Cole Dement, Meagan Kronmiller, Joshua Reams, Dustin Rowe, Dallas Tarr, Elliot Warren
Temple Fire Department – Raeneisha Cole
American Medical Response in Temple/Belton – John Domingo, Calista Rice
Harker Heights Fire Department – Tanner Fleet, Hunter Ringo
Copperas Cove Fire Department – Darrick Gray, Zachary Stevens
Burnet Fire Department – Dylan Orr
Marble Falls Area EMS – Matthew Wathen
Independent – Maria Castersen, Remy Manasco, Zachary Morgan, Christine Santana
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Group picture
Graduates of the CTC paramedic program pose together after receiving their diplomas.
Dement award
Cole Dement was presented with the unique award of Outstanding Achievement during the CTC paramedic program completion ceremony.
Dement talk
Cole Dement, class president, addressed his fellow classmates during the CTC paramedic program completion ceremony.
Valedictorian
Raeneisha Cole received an award for graduating as class valedictorian for this year’s CTC paramedic program.
Castersen
Maria Castersen and her family pose for pictures after Castersen graduated from the CTC paramedic program.
Copperas Cove
Gary Young, Interim Fire Chief for the CCFD, posed with Copperas Cove graduates of the CTC paramedic program, Darrick Gray and Zachary Stevens.