ATTENTION: Depending on enrollment numbers, registration for classes may close seven (7) days before the start date. If you have any questions regarding your registration or the status of your class, please reach out to the Non-Credit Registration Desk at (609)570-3311 or email ComEd@mccc.edu for further information. It is also suggested that you do not purchase textbooks until seven (7) days before the start date of a class to ensure the class is running. Please be sure to check your email up to three (3) days before the start of your class for potential updates.
public safety & emergency services
Mercer County Community College offers a full complement of programs to start you on your path to a career in Public Safety. Our Public Safety programs make us a leader in the region for education, training and state certifications for public safety careers.
New Jersey State Certification Programs
- Emergency Medical Technician: Certification though the NJ Department of Health
- 9-1-1 Basic & Emergency Medical Dispatcher: Certification through the NJ Office of Telecommunications
- Firefighter: Certification through the NJ Division of Fire Safety. For more information, visit: https://dftc.mccc.edu/
(Students must belong to a volunteer, career or industrial fire department.)
Associate Degree Programs
- Fire Science Technology Degree (coursesheld at the Mercer County Fire Academy)
- Associate in Applied Science Degree (A.A.S.): https://mccc.edu/fire/
- Criminal Justice Degree (courses held at the MCCC West Windsor Campus)
- Corrections option - Associate in Science Degree (A.S.): https://mccc.edu/crj/
- Law Enforcement option - Associate in Science Degree (A.S.): https://mccc.edu/crj/
Emergency medical technician
EMT basic - National REgistry EMT Certification Exam Prep.
(hybrid course)
Mercer County Fire Academy/Penn Medicine Princeton Health
During this assigned AND self-study Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course, you will learn about human anatomy and physiology, pathophysiology, patient assessment techniques, management of common medical complaints, management of the trauma patient, administration of limited medications, and concerns for special patient populations. Course material will be presented through interactive lectures, simulation labs, and clinical rotations where students will interact with patients. This class is labor intensive. Successful course completion requires obtaining the minimal level of competency as outlined in the National EMS Educational Standards. After successfully completing this course, students will be eligible to sit for the National Registry EMT Certification Exam to obtain certification.
- Fall Term
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Select Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Spring Term
Mondays & Wednesdays: 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Select Saturdays: 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. - Summer Term
Mondays, Wednesdays & Thursdays: 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Note/s:
- If you have questions regarding entry requirements, please contact: barbara.vaning@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- To register for the course and take the exam, students must be at least 16 years of age. However, an EMT certificate will be issued only when the individual turns 18 years of age and has their HS Diploma/GED.
Prerequisites & Requirements : All students MUST -
- Must be a minimum of 16 years of age to register and take this course
- Obtain an approved Health Care Provider Level CPR card
- Provide a Health Clearance form that is completed and signed by the student's physician before registration Hospital Time Info & Clearance Form 2025 updated on 6-4-25.pdf
- Purchase a Stethoscope and penlight for use in the course
- Purchase a textbook - a link will be provided by email by Course Coordinator once you are registered
- Attend ALL sessions - if a class is missed, it must be made up before the next exam. If three classes are missed, student will be removed from the class roster.
- Keep up with a minimum of 20 hours of online work per week
Registration Procedure : All students MUST -
1) Email the signed Health Clearance form and Health Care Provider Level CPR card, to confirm the CPR class been taken (or provide confirmation that it will be taken prior to course start date), to: barbara.vaning@PennMedicine.Upenn.edu
2) Upon approval to take the EMT Basic (Hybrid) course by Barbara Vaning, reach out to MCCC to register at #609-570-3311 or comed@mccc.edu
Cost: $2,100
Date/s: 1/5/26 - 5/11/26
Instructor: Barbara Vaning - EMS Coordinator, Mercer County Fire Academy
Location: Class meets at Dempster Fire Training Center, 350 Lawrence Station Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
EMT REFRESHERS
Prerequisites & Requirements : Prior to the start of an EMT Refresher class, students MUST send the following to: barbara.vaning@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
- Current BLS CPR card
- EMT number
- Date of Birth
|
Dempster |
Sunday, December 7 |
EMS - Refresher A |
|
Dempster |
Sunday, December 14 |
EMS - Refresher B |
|
Dempster |
Sunday, December 21 |
EMS - Refresher C |
These are the required refresher classes for NJ EMTs. Each are approved for .8 CEUs.
Location: Class meets at Dempster, Mercer County Fire Academy, 350 Lawrence Station Road, Lawrenceville, NJ - 08648
EMT REFRESHER A - Airway Assessment and Management
COMPETENCIES
Station 1:
Student can identify proper application and use of:
- Oral airway (adult, pediatric, infant patients)
- Nasal airway (adult patients)
- Suction airway (adult, pediatric, infant patients)
- One-rescuer BVM ventilation (adult, pediatric, infant patients)
Station 2:
Student can properly:
- Place O2 cylinder into service (safely and without leaks)
- Assist ALS with CPAP (apply device to patient's face, connect circuit to CPAP generator)
- Assist ALS by assembling the nebulizer, connecting to oxygen regulator, use of local protocols
- Demonstrate use of nasal cannula, non-rebreather, simple and Venturi tasks
Station 3:
Student shall perform the following properly:
- Size up scene, perform primary and secondary assessments, obtain vital signals
- Prepare verbal and written patient care report
Scenario Skills Evaluation:
- One shall be a pediatric patient and one shall be an adult patient
- Team of two or three EMTs
- Proper equipment and realistic scenario describing the circumstances of the patient's injury/illness.
Cost: $90
EMT Refresher B - Medical Assessment and Management
COMPETENCIES
Station 1:
Student can identify proper application of:
- CPR for adult, pediatric and infant patients in accordance with the 2010 AHA Emergency Cardiovascular Care guidelines
- CPR using a mechanical CPR device in accordance with manufacturer’s guidelines
Station 2:
Student can identify proper application and use of:
- Patient-assisted medications (nitro, epi-auto injector, meter dose inhaler, aspirin, glucose)
- A medical patient assessment
Station 3:
Student shall appropriately demonstrate assisting with:
- Abnormal cephalic delivery and a complicated delivery
- Post-delivery care
Scenario Skills Evaluation:
- One shall be a pediatric patient and one shall be an adult patient
- Team of two or three EMTs
- Proper equipment and realistic scenario describing the circumstances of the patient’s illness
- Properly perform a complete patient assessment, including vital signs and HPI, to critically decide on appropriate patient management using oxygen administration, airway adjuncts and patient prescribed medication
- CPR
- Properly and safely transfer a patient to a carrying device (i.e., stair chair, flexible stretcher, blanket, etc.), then to a stretcher, and finally loaded and secured within the ambulance
Cost: $90
EMT Refresher C - Trauma Assessment and Management
COMPETENCIES
Station 1:
Student shall correctly determine when and how to perform pediatric immobilization (commercial device, in car seat–intact and compromised)
Station 2:
Student shall properly perform:
- Securing a trauma patient via standing backboard, using C-collar, spider straps, quick clips, cravats
- Helmet removal
- Securing, lifting and moving the adult and special population geriatric patient
Station 3:
Student shall perform the correct management technique for:
- Closed soft tissue injury (RICES), open soft tissue injury, open chest wound, open abdominal wound, impaled object, burns, tourniquets
- Stabilizing injuries using rigid splints, air splint, vacuum splint, traction splint, MAST
Station 4:
Student shall perform the correct technique and verbalize the correct indications for:
- Spinal immobilization using a vest-style device and C-collar
- Rapid extrication
Scenario Skills Evaluation:
- One shall be a pediatric patient and one shall be an adult patient
- Team of two or three EMTs
- Proper equipment and realistic scenario describing the circumstances of the patient’s injuries
- Properly perform a complete patient assessment, including vital signs and HPI, to critically decide on appropriate patient management using O2 administration (proper device), airway adjuncts, splinting, bandaging and movement from a carrying device (i.e., stair chair, flexible stretcher, long board, vest-type device, scoop-style stretcher, etc.) to securing on a stretcher, and properly loading the patient into the ambulance
Cost: $90
neci 9-1-1 basic dispatcher
9-1-1 Officer National Certification prep. & exam
This National Emergency Communications Institute (NECI ) 9-1-1 Officer Basic Dispatcher national certification (40 hours) course will provide students with basic skills and knowledge in public safety communications needed to work as a Basic 911 Dispatcher. Students must successfully pass a written exam and practical exam in order to receive certification. This course is approved by the State of New Jersey Office of Telecommunications Services. Attendance at all sessions is MANDATORY.
Prerequisites & Requirements :
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to register and take this course.
- HS diploma or GED.
Cost: $400
Dates:
Course Days & Times:
Tuesday sessions
Thursday sessions
Saturday sessions
Note/s:
- Texbook will be provided.
Instructor:
Location: Class meets at Dempster Fire Training Center, 350 Lawrence Station Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
emergency medical dispatcher
(Required for any dispatcher who will answer 9-1-1 medical calls)
This course is the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Emergency Medical Dispatch National Standard Curriculum (32 hours). This course is designed to provide dispatchers with the necessary information and skills to function as an EMD. This course will provide students with the secondary level of certification that is required for any officer or dispatcher who will answer 9-1-1 medical calls. Students will gain knowledge and skills to be an Emergency Medical Dispatcher. Students must successfully pass a written exam and practical exam in order to receive certification. Attendance at all sessions is MANDATORY.
Prerequisites & Requirements :
- Must be a minimum of 18 years of age to register and take this course.
- All students must obtain a BLS Care Provider Level CPR card prior to the start of the class and must maintain same throughout the course and certification process.
- 911 Basic Dispatcher Certification or enrollment in NECI 911 Basic Dispatcher course the week of 5/13/25.
- HS diploma or GED.
Cost: $375
Dates:
Course Day & Times:
Tuesday sessions
Thursday sessions
Saturday sessions
Note:
- Texbook will be provided
Location: Class meets at Dempster, Mercer County Fire Academy, 350 Lawrence Station Rd., Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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