Montgomery County Training Institute

Founded in 1978, the Montgomery County Emergency Medical Services Training Institute (MCEMSTI) began with offering initial EMT training programs to community volunteers.  The first paramedic programs started in early 1980.  Early paramedic programs were completed in a 2-phase educational process, offering certification opportunities as a Paramedic I, then Paramedic II which differed by the inclusion of pediatric emergencies in the Paramedic II curriculum.  Classes were initially held at Pottstown Hospital (now Pottstown Memorial Medical Center), and Sacred Heart Hospital in Norristown, PA (now closed).  In 1989, the paramedic training curriculum changed from a 2-level certification to an all-inclusive single state certification as an EMT-Paramedic.  In 1990, the paramedic program moved from the 2 hospitals to the Antonelli Art and Photography School, located in Plymouth Meeting, PA.  In 1991-1992, the training site changed two more times; first to the Montgomery County Community College athletic building, then to the Cathcart Annex of MCCC.  Finally, in 2001, all EMS training programs moved to the final location at the Montgomery County Public Safety Training Campus, located in Conshohocken, PA.  Today, the EMS Training Institute trains and prepares 200-300 students annually to become state and Nationally Certified as EMRs, EMTs, Advanced EMTs and Paramedics.  The institute also hosts and provides continuing educational sessions as well as specialty courses offered by a variety of agencies such as FEMA, the National Center For Biomedical Research and Training as well as others.