Students in the paramedic and emergency medical responder programs at Okanagan College Vernon (photo courtesy of OC Vernon)

By Liam Verster

Emergency Personnel Education

First responder, paramedic education underway at OC Vernon

Oct 2, 2025 | 11:05 AM

The local college has rolled out a new program to train emergency personnel.

Okanagan College (OC) partnered with the Justice Institute of B.C. (JIBC) to run paramedic and emergency medical responder programs out of the Vernon campus.

The first round of students in the programs began their education this September, and on Oct.1 the students led a simulation as part of a welcome event at the campus.

Students in the paramedic and emergency medical responder programs at Okanagan College Vernon putting on a simulation Wednesday (Photo courtesy: OC Vernon)

OC and JIBC came to a five-year agreement to run this program, which is expected to educate approximately 600 new paramedics and first responders over that period.

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“Moving our training to Okanagan College’s Vernon campus is an important step forward for JIBC and we value the collaboration with Okanagan College in making it possible,” JIBC President Len Goerke said.

“This location offers upgraded facilities and access to student housing, which together create an outstanding learning environment for our Emergency Medical Responder and Primary Care Paramedic students. With this move, we are well-positioned to prepare more students for careers that will support the delivery of health care across the Interior and the province.”

Okanagan College touted the paramedic and emergency medical responder programs, saying they build on other health education opportunities in Vernon.

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