The Rhodes State College Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program in Lima, Ohio celebrated its 30 years of providing qualified EMS personnel (Paramedics and Intermediate EMTs) to the region. To commemorate this event, the College invited EMS alumni, former faculty and administrators, local hospital and EMS personnel to the unveiling of its newly installed ambulance simulator and Mega Code Kelly simulator held on November 18, 2008.

The inclusion of these hands-on training tools will provide students the opportunity to "run a code", treat a trauma patient or handle a medical emergency in a controlled environment. Students can practice insertion of standard airway devices; use clinical monitors, defibrillators, and external pacers for "life saving" interventions.

Established as a paramedic certification program in 1978, the EMS program now offers all levels of training and continuing education opportunities. During its 30 years of existence, the program has trained nearly 600 paramedics and numerous EMT-Intermediates.

The EMS program, one of the College's oldest programs, has continually grown and improved thanks to health partners Lima Memorial Health Systems and St. Rita's Medical Center both in Lima, Ohio. Their financial support ensured that the simulator project came to fruition. Both hospitals have been a valued partner--providing financial support, serving on advisory committees, providing access to equipment for loan, encouraging employees to be involved in the teaching/learning process and providing a quality environment for students during the clinical experience.

The ambulance simulator was purchased from Life Star Rescue located in Van Wert, Ohio. Life Star Rescue Inc. supplies emergency vehicles nationwide and specializes in remanufacturing ambulances and custom designing rescue vehicles. Founded in 1998, Life Star Rescue has grown to employ 47 people and produces 60 vehicles annually and guarantees quality assurance that every vehicle follows current industry standards.

Rhodes State College is the largest two-year college in West-Central Ohio, and has been improving the lives of the region's people, organizations and communities through education and training since 1971. Today, Rhodes State College offers more than 100 associate degrees, majors and certificate programs leading to careers, college transfer and personal and professional development. Rhodes State College is also the region's leading workforce development trainer, providing more than 1,200 specialized training courses to 18,000 employees in the past five years.