ATTENTION: Registration for classes may close up to seven (7) days before the class start date. If you need assistance with registration, please call #609-570-3311 or email noncreditReg@mccc.edu

For additional information, call #609-570-3672/3187 or email comed@mccc.edu

To avoid unnecessary purchases, please do not buy textbooks until seven (7) days before the class start date, as classes are subject to change or cancellation. Be sure to monitor your email up to three (3) days prior to the start of your class for important updates or notifications.

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 after passing the NREMT exam
• 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)

Offered by:
Mercer County Fire Academy
Penn Medicine Princeton Health

This hybrid Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic) course combines assigned coursework, self-study, interactive lectures, hands-on simulation labs, and clinical rotations.

Students will learn:

• Human anatomy & physiology
• Pathophysiology
• Patient assessment techniques
• Management of medical and trauma patients
• Administration of limited medications
• Care considerations for special patient populations

⚠️ Important: This is a labor-intensive course. Successful completion requires meeting the minimum competency levels outlined in the National EMS Educational Standards.

Upon successful completion, students are eligible to sit for the National Registry EMT Certification Exam.

Instructor Information

Barbara Vaning
EMS Coordinator, Mercer County Fire Academy

📧 Email: barbara.vaning@pennmedicine.upenn.edu
📌 Contact the instructor with questions regarding:

• Entry requirements
• Course schedule
• Program approval

Course Location

Dempster Fire Training Center
350 Lawrence Station Rd.
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648

Prerequisites & Requirements

All students must meet the following requirements:

Eligibility -

• Minimum age: 16 years old to register for the course and take the exam
  • EMT certification issued at 18 years old with HS Diploma or GED

Certifications & Documents -

• Obtain an approved Health Care Provider–Level CPR Card
• Provide a completed Health Clearance Form signed by the student's physician before registration 
  • Hospital Time Clearance Form  Hospital Time Clearance Form (updated 2025).pdf​

Supplies (not included in course cost) -

• Stethoscope
• Penlight
• Required textbook (purchase link emailed after registration)

Attendance & Coursework -

• Attend ALL sessions
  • Missed classes must be made up before the next exam
  • Missing three classes results in removal from the course
• Maintain minimum 20 hours/week of online coursework

Registration Procedure

All students must complete both steps below:

Step 1 – Submit Required Documents

Email the following to barbara.vaning@pennmedicine.upenn.edu:

• Signed Health Clearance Form
• CPR Card or proof of scheduled CPR course completion

Step 2 – Register with MCCC

Once approved by the instructor:

• Call 609-570-3311, or
• Email comed@mccc.edu

Cost: $2,100

Date/s: 6/22/26 - 8/17/26

 

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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Available Classes