By Matt Wahlgren, Reporter

Only a few schools in Illinois have Emergency Medical Technician programs–and Kaneland is now one of them.

An EMT program started up at the Fox Valley Career Center this year, and it has been so popular that there was a waiting list to get into it, Larry Imel, director of the FVCC, said. The class, which is taught by Janelle McCornack, focuses on teaching EMT basics.

“You can become state certified after you graduate and start a career right out of high school,” senior Joe Herzer said.

Imel said students should be able to take the EMT basic competency exam after graduation to become certified EMTs. The program fulfills Illinois Department of Public Health requirements and can be useful in health care careers. The program is worth 2.5 credits towards graduation, and students must put in 10 clinic hours at a hospital emergency room before passing the class. At Waubonsee Community College, the class is worth six credits. The EMT program complements the existing Fire Science program. Completing both programs allows students to earn 29 WCC credits.

“Both have to learn many different things, work well in groups, and learn how to deal with harsh sights,” senior Stuart Hopkins, who plans to be a part-time EMT after graduation, said.