The Fresno County Paramedic Program is designed to train EMS personnel in advanced life support and the scope of practice of a paramedic according to National Standards, California State Regulations, and Fresno County Policies & Procedures.
It is the program goal “To prepare competent entry-level Paramedics in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains with or without exit points at the Advanced Emergency Medical Technician and/or Emergency Medical Technician, and/or Emergency Medical Responder levels.”
Associate Degree option available
51 years of quality training in the San Joaquin Valley
34.5 College Units
FCC resources available to students
Financial Aid eligible
G.I. Bill® funding
Associate Degree or Certificate options available
Accredited by CAAHEP upon the recommendation of CoAEMSP
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education
benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at https://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill.
-
High School Diploma/transcripts or G.E.D.
-
Current AHA BLS/CPR certification
-
Current NREMT EMT or CCEMSA EMT Certification
-
6 months or more EMS field experience in the CCEMSA region or, one year or more EMS field experience or first responder experience or acute patient care experience. EMS experience verification required.
Required upon acceptance:
-
Live Scan (if not on file with CCEMSA)
-
Physical Examination (DOT)
-
Drug Screen & Background Check
-
Immunizations to include proof of:
-
Hep B series (3 doses)
-
Varicella (2 doses)
-
MMR (2 doses)
-
Tdap (current within 5 years)
-
Influenza (current year)
-
COVID-19 (2 doses plus one booster. Exemption available)
NOTE: The Fresno County Paramedic Program is not responsible for nor have a voice in the decision of a hospital clinical site and/or field internship site student denial.
Professional Requirements
EMS personnel work both indoors and outdoors in all types of weather. The shift schedule carries through 7 days per week including weekends and holidays. Full time EMS personnel may work from 40 to 80 hours each week.
Self-confident, aware of limitations; emotionally stable; able to function independently, interdependently, as part of a team; flexible and adaptable to situations that may change while maintaining control; trustworthy; dependable; honest; compassionate. Must have the ability to treat all patients with respect and dignity regardless of patient gender, ethnicity, social status, cleanliness or criminal behavior. EMS personnel must be able to keep appropriate information confidential.
Necessary Physical Skills & Abilities
Many EMS personnel are required to do considerable heavy lifting, kneeling, and bending. They are exposed to infectious diseases, hazardous materials, and potentially violent patients, families and bystanders. The work is not only physically strenuous, but also stressful, involving life and death situations and suffering patients.
Necessary Educational Skills & Abilities
EMS personnel are expected to read, write, and communicate in English in order to assess, treat, and communicate with other EMS providers and to fill out EMS forms. It is necessary to read maps, labels, and medical records. Math skills of adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing is mandatory in order to take vital signs, regulate IV fluids, evaluate, monitor, and administer medications.
EMS employers have an expectation that their employees will be honest, trustworthy, and dependable. They expect good work standards that include good attendance and neat appearance. They expect you to treat patients and other EMS and agency personnel with respect and dignity.
Past history of multiple or recent DUI's, felony convictions, misdemeanor convictions or other previous actions against your driver's license or other medical license or certification may prevent you from entering in this career.
The Fresno County Paramedic Program is divided into 3 phases: didactic, Clinical Experience, & Field Internship
-
Didactic: 26 weeks synchronous lecture/workshop
-
Clinical Experience: 200 hours clinical observation and skills performance
-
Field Internship: 480 hours of ALS Internship
Both Clinical and Field Internship placements are provided and managed by program staff
January 2027 Course
Didactic Start/End Date: January 5, 2027 - July 1, 2027
Time: 0800 - 1700
Days: TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
|
July 2027 Course
Didactic Start/End Date: July 6, 2027 - December 30, 2027
Time: 0800 - 1700
Days: TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY
|
EMS Clinicals start within 30 days of successfully completing the didactic phase and can take approximately 8-10 weeks.
Clinical training is provided and arranged for the student by the paramedic program at the following local medical facilities:
Community Regional Medical Center: ER, Burn, MICU & TICU
Community Medical Center - Clovis: ER & OB
Valley Children's Hospital: ER
Some clinical training may be provided on an ALS ambulance operating in the CCEMSA region.
Field Internships start immediately after successful completion of the Clinical Experience and can take approximately 8-12 weeks.
480 hours (minimum) with an approved CCEMSA Paramedic Preceptor on an ALS ambulance operating in the CCEMSA region.
$9,315.00
Tuition is to be paid in full by the second week of class
Financial Aid is available through Fresno City College
G.I. Bill® funding is available
Employer sponsorships are welcome
GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). More information about education benefits offered by VA is available at the official U.S. government website at http://www.benefits.va.gov/gibill
Additional Program Expenses
| Student Ready Clinical Placement System |
$88.00 |
| Platinum Planner |
$90.00 |
| Uniforms (Shirt, pant, belt, boots) |
$200.00 |
| Books (Paramedic, Anatomy and Physiology, ECG) |
$950.00 |
| Immunizations & physical Exam |
$200.00 approx |
| Worker's Compensation |
$300.00 |
| Malpractic INsurance |
$25.00 approx |
The entrance assessment is timed, 10th grade high school reading level exams designed to assess the applicants Reading, Language and Math abilities. The conclusion to the exam battery is an EMT test.
Entrance Assessment Dates:
January 2027: November 4, 5, and 6, 2026
July 2027: May 3, 4, and 5, 2027
The applicant will be contacted by email to schedule an entrance assessment date only after receiving a completed application that includes EMS EXPERIENCE VERIFICATION LETTER.
NOTE: EMS Experience Verification letter must be on company letterhead, include hire date with employment status, and signed by qualified personnel then emailed ccemsatraining@fresnocountyca.gov.
Applicants will be contacted by email after entrance assessments has concluded.
Oral Interview & Skills Assessment dates to be determined.
ALL testing and program activity will take place at:
Fresno County EMS Education Center
5091 N. Fresno St., #118, Fresno, CA 93710
Open September 28, 2026 - October 29, 2026
Class Starts: January 5, 2027
The Fresno County Paramedic Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Education Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP)
CAAHEP Contact:
25400 US Highway 19 N., Suite 158
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 210-2350
www.caahep.org
|
CoAEMSP Contact:
8301 Lakeview Parkway, Suite 111-312
Rowlett, TX 75088
(214) 703-8992
www.coaemsp.org
|
In accordance with CoAEMSP disclosure requirements, the Fresno County Department of Public Health Paramedic Program reports the following information for students for the year 2024:
-
National Registry 3rd attempt cumulative passing rate:
|
90%
|
-
Retention rate (percentage of students graduating from the program):
|
76.9%
|
-
Positive Placement (percentage of students who are employed as paramedics):
|
90%
|
Central California EMS Agency
Fresno County Department of Public Health
1221 Fulton Street, 5th Floor
Fresno, CA 93721
(559) 600-3387
ccemsatraining@fresnocountyca.gov