Warren Firefighter Academy Graduates to be Celebrated May 11, 2022
Metro Detroit communities have cited a dangerous shortage of firefighters in recent years. In October 2021, the Detroit News highlighted the need for firefighters and paramedics locally. Specifically, the article noted that the State of Michigan is at least 1000 paramedics short of the number needed to meet demand, according to the Michigan Association of Ambulance Services. This staffing shortage has an impact on local fire departments as well, as they are dealing with not only a shortage of firefighters but paramedics. Local fire departments employ those with EMS training to assess and address medical situations when they are dispatched to an emergency. * To further highlight the need for training EMS personnel, the US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics has stated that employment of EMTs and Paramedics is projected to grow 11% nationally from 2020 to 2030, which is faster than average for all occupations.**
The City of Warren and Warren Fire Department, in partnership with Dorsey College, have been working to address this shortage head-on. The Warren Firefighter Academy will hold a celebration for its first graduating class Wednesday May 11, 2022, at Warren City Hall. The academy, which expects over 20 inaugural graduates, provided firefighter and EMT training over the past few months. These individuals are anticipated to further their education through Paramedic training in the coming months. Dorsey College, a trusted name in career training and education in Michigan, provided the Emergency Medical Technician training for the Firefighter Academy and will provide the Paramedic training as well.
When asked about the partnership, John Barnes, President and CEO of Dorsey College, stated, “this innovative partnership is a great example of how educators and employers can come together to design creative solutions in order to address staffing shortages in local communities.” He went on to note, “Dorsey College’s EMS training programs are designed to equip our graduates with the life-saving practical skills and knowledge they will need, as they pursue their new career in the EMS field. Dorsey College has a long-standing commitment to both our students and our local communities, and this partnership in Warren is an example of how our training programs can impact both positively.”
The Dorsey School was founded by Ruth Dorsey in 1934 in downtown Detroit. Today, Dorsey College, remains committed to providing quality career training that prepares individuals for promising career opportunities in fields such as healthcare, nursing, culinary, beauty, emergency medical services, and skilled trades at various campus locations in Michigan. Dorsey College is accredited by the Commission of the Council on Occupational Education. This applies to the Madison Heights campus (which serves as the main campus) and the Dearborn, Roseville, Saginaw, Woodhaven, and Wayne campuses (which are branch campus locations of Madison Heights). In addition, the Dorsey College Paramedic program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP). To learn more about Dorsey College, you may visit www.dorsey.edu.
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If you would like more information about this event, or to schedule an interview, please call John O’Sullivan at (248) 220-5909 or email John O’Sullivan at josullivan@dorsey.edu.
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, EMTs and Paramedics,
at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/emts-and-paramedics.htm (visited April 19, 2022).
