For Immediate Release:
October 7, 2025
Primary Media Contact:
Sally Voth
Public Relations Specialist
[email protected]
Phone: 540-868-7134
Laurel Ridge Community College expanded its Paramedic program to the Fauquier Campus this fall after receiving a request from Fauquier County Department of Fire and Rescue. Half of the inaugural class of 16 students is made up of members of the department.
Previously, department members wanting to upgrade their credentials from emergency medical technician (EMT) to paramedic had to journey to the Middletown Campus, said Fauquier County Fire Chief Kalvyn Smith. Seven of the department’s students are career firefighters, and the eighth is a volunteer.
“And, they’re going to come out with a paramedic certification,” Chief Smith said. “It takes our level of care up another notch. We’ll be able to get a paramedic on every unit. I can’t say enough good about it. I’m so excited.”
The cohort is attending class one day a week for the next year, a schedule specially designed to help accommodate the staffing needs of the fire department, said Dr. Scott Vanderkooi, dean of the School of Health Professions.
“It’s low impact on the student, and also for our system,” said Chief Smith. “Hopefully, it happens year after year.”
All of the students will earn a paramedic license, said Paul Cissel, Paramedic program lead at Laurel Ridge. He said they’ll all be encouraged to take a few general studies classes, which would enable them to earn a career studies certificate. From there, only four more classes are needed to earn an associate degree, added Dr. Vanderkooi, who explained that Laurel Ridge’s Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program consists of stackable credentials – EMT, Advanced EMT and Paramedic.
There are three levels of EMT – basic, advanced and paramedic. A basic paramedic is certified to provide basic airway management, general wound management and bleeding control, and can provide basic medications for emergencies such as anaphylactic shock. An advanced EMT is qualified for higher levels of care, including starting IVs and providing more medications for conditions like pain or seizures. An EMT-paramedic can handle more critical levels of care, including creating a surgical airway and providing electrical therapy for cardiac patients.
The Paramedic students will be completing clinical hours at Fauquier Hospital.
“Paramedics are a crucial part of the care continuum, and we are thrilled that Laurel Ridge is expanding the program here in Warrenton,” said Fauquier Health Chief Nursing Officer Toni Maxwell. “We are excited to work with these students as they do their clinical training and embark on a meaningful career. Fauquier Health is proud to partner with Laurel Ridge and Fauquier County Department of Fire and Rescue to benefit our community.”
Dr. Vanderkooi said the college’s partnerships with Fauquier County Fire and Rescue and Fauquier Health reflect the collaborative nature of training pre-hospital care providers.
“Without these field and clinical partners, we would not be able to deliver career-ready students to the extent that we do,” he said. “This program expansion is another example of the college and the School of Health Professions’ mission to train future healthcare providers to meet the needs of our local communities. I’m excited to see what future partnerships and possibilities will continue to arise for all of our health professions programs.”
Guardian Medical Services has two employees enrolled in the Paramedic classes, said Jessica Ulrich, director of administration for the Catlett-based private ambulance company.
“We’re very excited to be partnering with Laurel Ridge and Fauquier Health to have our EMTs become paramedics,” she said. “They’re both going to be great paramedics. They’re both very dedicated employees.”
Emily Glaze, who work for the Fauquier County Department of Fire and Rescue, said she has been an emergency medical technician for five years, and has long wanted to become a paramedic so she could provide an even greater level of care to her patients.
“This is a great opportunity – it’s close to home and I’m able to continue working while attending class,” she said. “It has been great. It’s been a lot of work, but it’s rewarding in the field.”
Depending on the credential they’re earning, some EMS students will be eligible for G3 funding, which covers any remaining tuition costs after grants and scholarships have been applied. Learn more about the Paramedic program at Laurel Ridge by visiting laurelridge.edu/paramedic.
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Founded in 1970, Laurel Ridge Community College is a multi-campus public institution of higher education. With three locations — Middletown, Warrenton, and Luray-Page County — the College serves eight localities in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Piedmont regions. The localities are the counties of Clarke, Fauquier, Frederick, Page, Rappahannock, Shenandoah and Warren and the city of Winchester. Laurel Ridge offers more than 75 associate degree and certificate programs in a wide variety of disciplines, in addition to providing access to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs offered on site by a four-year institution. Laurel Ridge also serves the business community by offering workforce preparation programs for employees and employers. Laurel Ridge serves more than 9,000 unduplicated credit students and more than 11,000 individuals in professional development and business and industry courses annually.
Laurel Ridge Community College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award associate degrees. Laurel Ridge Community College also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels. Questions about the accreditation of Laurel Ridge Community College may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Laurel Ridge Community College is an equal opportunity institution providing educational and employment opportunities, programs, services, and activities. Laurel Ridge shall promote and maintain equal employment and educational opportunities without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, marital status, pregnancy, childbirth or related medical conditions including lactation, age (except when age is a bona fide occupational qualification), status as a veteran, national origin, or other non-merit factors. Laurel Ridge also prohibits sexual misconduct including sexual violence or harassment. Inquiries may be directed to the Associate Vice President, Human Resources, [email protected], 173 Skirmisher Lane, Middletown, VA 22645, 540-868-7226.
Laurel Ridge Community College was known as Lord Fairfax Community College until June 2022. For consistency purposes, the college will be referenced as Laurel Ridge going forward.
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