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Commission affirms local paramedic education affiliation with West Shore Community College
Summary
To bolster recruitment and retention, the commission endorsed an educational affiliation allowing West Shore Community College to run an 11‑month hybrid paramedic program with a local alternate site; tuition is $13,249 per student with in‑district pricing for the program.
The Traverse City Commission unanimously affirmed an educational affiliation with West Shore Community College on May 18 to host a paramedic program at local facilities.
Catherine Dunklow, the city’s EMS administrator, told the commission the program will be offered as an 11‑month hybrid course beginning Aug. 28, with one full classroom day each week and the balance online. West Shore will serve as the program administrator and provide accreditation, faculty and training equipment; the city will host an alternate training site with AV and classroom space. Course tuition is $13,249 per student; West Shore agreed to offer in‑district tuition for the program, reducing costs by about $5,000 per student compared with other options.
Dunklow said the arrangement helps local EMTs meet a department requirement to complete paramedic school within three years, improves local recruitment and retention and expands workforce development pathways. The program is capped at 12 students initially (the agreement allows up to 16), and local partner hospitals and EMS agencies have clinical agreements for required field and emergency‑department hours.
Commissioners praised the partnership as a workforce and public‑safety benefit and moved to affirm the affiliation; the motion passed.
What’s next: enrollment will open for the fall session; staff and West Shore will coordinate clinical placements and report back to the commission as the program begins.
