Sumter County Fire & EMS has announced the launch of its new in-house Emergency Medical Technician certification program, officially designated Sumter County BOCC #181.
This county-funded initiative, taught by department staff, is the first and only EMT course offered within Sumter County. It represents another important way the county invests in the employees who dedicate themselves to serving the community.
The inaugural class of three fire department cadets will begin this month, marking an exciting milestone in strengthening local recruitment and readiness. The program is a rigorous 12-week, 40-hour-per-week commitment designed to fill staffing vacancies with highly trained local talent. By hosting the course in Sumter County, participants can complete their training without the need to travel to other counties, making a career in emergency services more accessible for locals.
Cadets are trained by the very professionals they will soon serve alongside, creating immediate alignment with local protocols and community needs. Classroom instruction will take place at a county facility and will relocate to the new Joint Training Facility in Sumterville early next year. Field experience will include ambulance ride time with Sumter County Fire & EMS, and hospital internships will be conducted at UF Health Leesburg and Spanish Plaines, giving cadets valuable real-world exposure throughout their training.
This in-house program directly supports the department’s mission to improve patient outcomes while fostering a sustainable and resilient workforce.
“The ability to recruit and train local residents within the community they live, by the personnel who already serve them, is a game-changer for our retention and recruitment efforts,” said Division Chief Daniel Crooks. “This initiative ensures we are cultivating highly qualified talent committed to serving our Sumter County community.”
Upon successful completion of the course, cadets will be eligible to sit for the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians exam, earning both national and Florida State EMT certifications.