Twenty-six students are preparing to join Southern Nevada's emergency medical workforce after completing Clark County's Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) Academy. The workforce development initiative addresses the region's growing need for trained emergency medical responders while creating pathways to stable, family-supporting careers.

The graduates will be recognized during a public ceremony at 2:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 9, in Commission Chambers at the Clark County Government Center, 500 S. Grand Central Parkway, Las Vegas, NV. Family members, friends, members of the public and media are invited to attend this free celebration.

The EMT Academy was developed after local ambulance providers and public officials identified challenges related to emergency medical staffing and ambulance response times in the years following the COVID-19 pandemic. County leaders viewed the shortage as both a public safety concern and an opportunity to connect residents with high-demand careers in healthcare and emergency services.

“The Clark County Fire Department and other first responders identified a need for more trained emergency medical professionals to serve our community,” said Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick. “County leadership saw this program as a way to meet that need and as an opportunity to connect residents with high-demand careers. The graduates being recognized have earned credentials that can lead to rewarding careers while helping strengthen Southern Nevada's emergency medical workforce.”

“We're seeing residents gain industry-recognized credentials, enter high-demand careers and help fill critical positions throughout Southern Nevada's emergency medical system,” said Shani Coleman, Director of the Clark County Office of Community and Economic Development. “The academy is demonstrating how targeted workforce training can create opportunities for residents while helping employers address staffing needs.”

The academy is part of a workforce development initiative that prepares residents for careers in emergency medical services while helping build a pipeline of trained emergency responders for Southern Nevada. Participants complete accelerated training that combines classroom instruction, hands-on skills development, clinical experience and state and national certification requirements. Graduates leave prepared to pursue careers in emergency medical services and other professions where emergency medical training is highly valued.

Advanced EMT certification provides additional medical training and patient-care capabilities beyond the basic EMT level, enabling graduates to play a greater role in emergency response and pre-hospital medical care.

The Nov. 9 graduates represent the sixth EMT/AEMT cohort completed through the program since its launch in early 2025. Since opening, the academy has provided no-cost training for residents seeking careers in emergency medical services while helping create a pipeline of qualified workers for the field.

Additional program outcomes include:

The initiative is delivered through partnerships with Workforce Connections, the EMS Training Center of Southern Nevada and the Clark County Fire Department.