Two with Copperas Cove Fire Department 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, as did 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