Thrill of critical thinking led Polk State alum to EMS career
Allison Skinner lives for the thrill of responding quickly and critically to the needs of her patients as a paramedic with Manatee County Emergency Medical Services. And after only four years on the job, Skinner…
Alum, WNCC EMS Program Director Graham Judd: Polk State’s program serves as exemplary model
Polk State College alum Graham Judd says Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program Director Don Guillette runs a tight ship, which Judd admits he didn’t fully understand when he was a student. But after more than…
Alum, adjunct becomes Florida’s first internationally certified community paramedic
Earl Kulpa, a Polk State College alum and adjunct instructor in the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Program, recently became the first internationally certified community paramedic in Florida — among only 112 in the nation. Kulpa,…
CSX Grant Gives Students Lifelike Trauma Care Training
At Polk State College, students and first responders receive lifelike trauma care training, which is being enhanced thanks to a recent grant from CSX. CSX awarded the Polk State College Foundation with $4,485 to purchase…
Polk State EMS Student Makes History as Davenport’s First Full-Time Female Firefighter
Currently studying in Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services program: A history maker. Jessica Spell, who is pursuing her Associate in Science in EMS, was pinned as the Davenport Fire Department’s first full-time female firefighter…
A Patent and a No-Cell-Phone Policy: Five Things You Didn’t Know About EMS Program Director Don Guillette
Let’s get this straight from the start: Don Guillette did not want this article to be written. In fact, the very behind-the-scenes director of Polk State’s Emergency Medical Services program is dreading seeing his face…
Polk State EMS Honors Its Instructor of the Year
For his professionalism and demonstrated dedication to his students, the Polk State EMS program has selected James Maxwell as its Instructor of the Year. “He’s the kind of instructor who goes home and makes a…
Two Years in a Row: Polk State Alumnus Named Manatee County EMS Rookie of the Year
For the second consecutive year, a Polk State alumnus has been named Manatee County Emergency Medical Services’ Rookie of the Year. Earl Kulpa completed his paramedic certification at Polk State in 2014. In May,…
For Polk State-Trained EMT, Career Plan B “Happened for a Reason”
When her application to medical school was rejected, a lot of thoughts went through Ada Bobola’s head: Maybe if I’d studied a little harder. Maybe if I’d gotten a B in chemistry instead of a…
Community Celebrates Opening of Center for Public Safety
The ribbon has been cut and the Polk State Center for Public Safety is officially open for business. Polk State celebrated the grand opening of the state-of-the-art, 101,450-square-foot facility with a ceremony on Friday,…
