Anoka Technical College and Anoka-Ramsey Community College bring Emergency Medical Services program to Cambridge, Minn.

May 10, 2021

Updated May 10, 2021 to reflect new semester start date. 

In partnership with Anoka-Ramsey Community College, Anoka Technical College is bringing the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program to the Anoka-Ramsey Cambridge Campus for the fall 2021 semester.

Anoka Tech is aligned with Anoka-Ramsey and together the institutions serve more than 16,000 learners – the largest community and technical college entity in Minnesota. Since 1995, Anoka Technical College has been home to one of the area’s most well-known Emergency Medical Service (EMS) certificate programs. Expanding the program to serve the Cambridge, Minn. community “just makes sense” said Brad Wright, paramedic and emergency medical services program director and instructor.

“There are limited offerings in the northern Anoka, Isanti, Mille Lacs, and Kanabec counties,” said Wright. “This allows students and fire departments to send people to attain an EMS education closer to home.”

A job in Emergency Medical Services is a great stepping stone for students interested in a career as a first responder, a field where employees are in demand. According to the most current projections from the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) between 2016 to 2026, there is a projected 13.5 percent increase in employment opportunities for Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics. Through the program, students can gain experience working in the field and ready themselves for further education. 

Program faculty have been learning from their experiences this past year in order to create high-quality, more flexible education in a safe manner for students entering the program.

“Over the past year we have learned many lessons because of COVID,” said Wright. “We have become more adept at utilizing online technologies and conference software. Although we prefer to meet in-person, we are prepared to go online if needed. We started giving students some days where they can be in class remotely or in-person as they prefer. 

Learn more by planning a virtual visit or visit the EMS program page.