WINTON — A unique partnership between Hertford County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Nucor will benefit the general public as well. On Dec. 16, EMS and Nucor officials formally announced a partnership that will train employees at the plate steel mill as EMTs (Emergency Medical Technicians). However, that training process is not only limited to the Nucor workforce. According to Fred Curley, who leads the Emergency Service Training effort at Roanoke-Chowan Community College, the Nucor program is open to the public. “We will be glad to discuss this training opportunity with the public,” Curley said, adding that the course will be offered early next year. The course requires 180 hours of classroom work plus 12 hours of “riding time” with an approved EMS system. “We would prefer the riding time be spent with Hertford County EMS since those taking this course in this county will be accustomed to their operating procedures,” Curley said. The courses will be offered on site at Nucor. There are options for the classroom work – one weekday (9 a.m. until 12 noon and again from 1-4 p.m.) or two weeknights (5:30-8:30 p.m.). The total fee, as established by RCCC, is $318.50. That breaks down to $130 for student tuition, $125 for workbooks and textbooks and $63.50 for medical malpractice insurance. At the foundation of this program, however, is Nucor. “We have been in discussions with Nucor since earlier this year about the formation of an EMT program at their mill in Hertford County,” Curley said. “This will be a true emergency response team on site.” Curley praised the involvement of Hertford County EMS on this particular project. “Kevin Davidson (Hertford County EMS Director) was so kind to join our team and he jumped right in on working with this project,” Curley noted. Davidson said having trained emergency responders on site at Hertford County’s largest employer will be an asset to the health and well-being of those workers. “This team of EMTs at the plant will be trained to begin packaging a patient until our ALS (Advanced Life Support) unit can arrive on the scene,” Davidson said. LuAnn Joyner, Human Resources Supervisor at Nucor, said 36 employees have, to date, expressed an interest in the EMT program. Some of those have taken that interest to the next level by taking an EMT placement test. Two other placement tests are forthcoming, one at RCCC the first week of January and another at Nucor the following week. “We are delighted to have this partnership with RCCC and Hertford County EMS in order to ensure our team members here at Nucor as well as others in our local communities have the fastest, emergency medical response times they can receive,” Joyner said. Those with questions about the training or how to register for the EMT program can contact Curley at 862-1266 or Joyner at 356-3738.