Since KPC’s paramedic program was launched 12 years ago, 115 students have graduated with 2-year, associate of applied science degrees. According to instructors in the program, more than 92 percent of the graduates passed the National Registry on the first attempt compared to a 64 percent national average. The EMS department at KRC has allowed for even more coordination of continuing medical education opportunities for local fire departments and emergency responders. To date, many paid and volunteer responders have received many hours of complimentary training in KRC’s EMS department. Departments who have benefited from the continuing education opportunities include Nikiski, Kenai, Seward Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Ninilchik, Anchor Point, Central Emergency Service stations at Sterling, Soldotna, Kasilof, and Kachemak Emergency Services outside of Homer. The program has also offered training to employees of the Drift River complex on the west side of the Cook Inlet where both fire and EMS personnel respond to the native communities of Beluga and Tyonek.

The fall 2017 paramedic program application is now online at http://www.kpc.alaska.edu/academics/areas-of-study/paramedic/ and is due May 15. Interested students are encouraged to begin the application process now. For more information contact Paul Perry, assistant professor of paramedic technology, at peperry@alaska.edu or call 262-0378.

KRC adjunct professor launches campaign to support unique project

For the past six years, Ron Levy, local photographer and KRC photography adjunct instructor, has been producing a series of posters that tie the Iditarod, Alaska’s annual sled dog race to Nome, to the challenges and struggles many individuals fighting cancer face. These posters have been inspired by the concept that everyone has their own Iditarod to face, whether they are battling an illness or dealing with financial or emotional issues — and everyone needs a team of supporters running alongside them.

“My mother died of lung cancer (as a non-smoker), which motivated me to create the first poster in 2011 to help friends and families with similar struggles. Originally featuring the battered hands of eight famous Iditarod mushers (Lance Mackey, Jeff King, Rick Swenson, Dee Dee Jonrowe, Mitch Seavey, Martin Buser, Jim Lanier, Hans Gatt), the theme has grown into the current line of three posters in the series. These one-of-a-kind posters are a great way to spread the word and give others a little boost through hard times,” Levy said on his website (http://www.ronlevyphoto.com/posters/Iditarod/).

The posters are available for purchase/donation from Levy’s website and donations are automatically sent to the American Cancer Society.

Perfect winter diversion: Learn to fly fish

Dave Atcheson, well-known local fishing expert and author of “Fishing Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula: A Complete Angler’s Guide,” will be offering his beginning fly fishing course at both the Kenai River and Kachemak Bay campuses this spring. The late-starting classes begin at KRC from 6:30-8:30 p.m. on March 21 and continue on Tuesdays through April 25, meeting in Brockel building room 188. The course will be offered through KBC from 5:30-8 p.m. on March 24, with subsequent classes on Fridays from April 7-28 in the Pioneer Hall. The one-credit course introduces the basics of fly fishing, including selection of equipment, types of line, flies, and techniques geared toward local lakes and streams. For more information, call 262-0330 or email Atcheson at daatcheson@kpc.alaska.edu.

This column is provided by Suzie Kendrick, Advancement Programs Manager at Kenai Peninsula College.