EMS Citizens Academy

The 2022–2023 EMS Citizens Academy was canceled. Stay tuned for 2024 plans.

Citizens learning hands-on EMS skills from paramedics

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the care, skills and other services performed by modern paramedics? Have you ever wondered what the different types of EMS vehicles are used for? Are you considering a career in EMS?

The Wake County EMS Citizens Academy is held each fall. This free program is intended for adults and hosts citizens high school age and up.

The program consists of five unique sessions on the dates below. It begins in October and runs one night a week for five consecutive weeks.

You will learn about: 

  • The different components of the Wake County EMS System
  • Hands-Only CPR and AED use (Automatic External Defibrillator)
  • Bleeding control
  • Modern paramedic skills and training methods
  • How we help fight the opioid epidemic
  • How data and science incorporates into highly advanced levels of EMS medical care
  • Hands-On displays & demos of ambulances and specialty response units
  • Disaster preparation, such as for Hurricane Florence
  • Specialty services such as Tactical Paramedics, Bike Team Paramedics and Urban Search & Rescue Paramedics (USAR)
  • Tour the Raleigh-Wake 9-1-1 Center
  • The trend-setting Advanced Practice Paramedic program and future directions in Mobile Integrated Healthcare (MIH)


The EMS Citizens Academy is held at:
Wake County Emergency Services Training Center
221 S. Rogers Lane, Suite 160, Raleigh

For more information, contact our Commander of Community Outreach, Victoria Huffman at Victoria.Huffman@Wake.Gov or 919-625-3260.