Harnett County Emergency Services will host a Paramedic graduation on Oct. 6, 2023, at 6 p.m. to celebrate six new Paramedics.

Harnett County partnered with Central Carolina Community College to launch an in-house Paramedic Academy Program where Harnett County would serve as a satellite location. The partnership was created to meet the industry needs and fill the paramedic vacancies in the County.

Harnett County Emergency Medical Services Chief Alex Belanovich established the idea of creating an in-house Paramedic Program over five years ago. He wanted to develop a program that would provide Harnett County citizens with better access to prehospital care in a non-emergency setting.

This is the first Paramedic Academy program offered by Harnett County and the graduation will mark the completion of a 30-week program. The accelerated program allows paramedic students to take 8-hour classes Monday-Friday for seven months instead of learning in a traditional college setting that would take over a year and a half.

Each of the six participating students were Harnett County Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT), who were selected to participate in the cohort program: Andrew Slaughter, Elana Melvin, Nathan Trautman, Jennifer Davis, Micah Ellington, and Michael Borbas.

Andrew Slaughter began his career with the County in 2017.

“When you want something bad in life, you can adapt and conquer any obstacles in the way, and do or be anything you want to do or be in life,” said Slaughter in a press release. “I can honestly say taking this next step in my career was the best decision I could have ever made.”

The graduation will take place at the Resource Center and Library Training Room, located at 455 McKinney Parkway in Lillington.

Individuals interested in participating in the Paramedic Academy Program can contact Chief Alex Belanovich at abelanovich@harnett.org