Dysart Schools has partnered with the city of Surprise to offer a high school level Emergency Medical Services program beginning in August 2024.

The program will launch at Valley Vista High School, and will give high school seniors the chance to earn an Emergency Medical Certified Technician certification upon graduation. The program will be open to all seniors attending any district school.

The course will be a senior-level course offered through the district’s Career and Technical Education Program, with possible college credit through Maricopa Community Colleges. Certified graduates would have the opportunity for immediate employment as an Emergency Medical Technician through a public or private ambulance service.

The program was developed in partnership with the Surprise in order to help address the future need for EMS staff in the rapidly growing city. It will be taught by a Surprise Fire-Medical Department staff member that will be CTE certified through the Arizona Department of Education.

Surprise is working to develop an expansion of the program that would provide pathways for local students to continue their education through collegiate programs for fire-medical, nursing or other medical professions.

Interested students can learn more about the new program at the upcoming Dysart Career and College Expo from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 19 in the district Office, 15802 N. Parkview Place in Surprise.

Currently, Dysart Unified Schools District offers 18 CTE programs across its four high schools and has nearly 5,000 students participating in CTE courses each year. For information, visit Dysart.org/CTE.

The Surprise Fire-Medical Department began in 1960 has grown to house more than 200 employees and serves the community through eight fire stations in the growing city. Construction on Surprise Fire Station 309 at Cactus and Perryville roads began in May.