Foothill Community College is located in Los Altos Hills, California. There is also a campus located in Middlefield. The Los Altos campus is just off of 280, near Perimeter Road. Nearby is the Temporary Village and the Los Altos Hills. The EMS program at FCC prepares students for employment as paramedics working for various EMS agencies, such as ambulance services, fire agencies, fixed and rotary wing operations, and hospital EMS departments.

Program Information

There is no official program application. As long as the prerequisites are met, registration is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Call (650) 949-6955 to add your name to the list and to be sure you meet the minimum requirements.

The paramedic program offered through Foothill Community College requires entry into the program during the fall season only. The course lasts from 12 to 18 months (four to six quarters). These months will include courses in anatomy and physiology, principles of microbiology, theory of patient assessment, management and operations assessment, theory of paramedic essentials to include airway management and ventilation, medical, OB/GYN, neonatal, behavior and trauma emergencies, and emergency medical services operations.

The Foothill Community College paramedic training course is designed for students who have worked as EMTs for at least 6 months - at full-time capacity, or the equivalent part-time experience (960 hours), and are pursuing advancement to certification as a paramedic.

The first three quarters are didactic (classroom) instruction, meeting three days a week. During the second quarter of didactic instruction students will concurrently attend hospital specialty rotations (operating room, obstetrics, etc.) The final quarters include the emergency hospital rotations, and an ambulance field internship. There is the option to enroll in emergency room clinical during the third portion of the didactic course.

Course units required for Major: 64
Course units required for Paramedic Certificate: 49

Once the EMS paramedic courses are completed, students will be qualified to take the National Registry Emergency Medical Technician Examination (NREMT).

Program Prerequisites

In order to enroll in the Foothill Community College paramedic program there are several listed prerequisites. Here we offer the main points to that list: A student must have a high school diploma or GED, current CPR certification at the hospital care provider level, possess EMT 1 certification, show proof of at least six months work experience at an EMS provider agency, and meet all technical requirements. The student must possess a current BLS (CPR) AHA Healthcare Provider or ARC Professional Rescuer certification. In addition, students must have successfully completed Math 220 or an equivalent college level math course or place into math 105 on the placement test for the college; must also be eligible for ESL 25 or ENGL 110; and have completed a minimum one quarter or one Semester of Anatomy & Physiology. Students must also be eligible for ESLL 25 or ENG 110. For further information regarding these prerequisite courses you may contact the testing office at (650) 949-7230.

For ambulance internships and hospital rotations, students may be required to submit physical examinations, immunization records, and a background screening. Students may also have to submit to a drug test. Students will be expected to pay for the background screening, drug test, and related physical examination. Applications for enrollment can be downloaded online from the college’s website.

Contact Information

For more information about admission into the EMS programs or for an application call:

Dave Huseman, Paramedic Director at (650) 949-6972.
Charlie McKellar, EMT Program Coordinator at (650) 949-6955.

Or, you may schedule an appointment online by visiting the School’s counseling site at http://www.foothill.edu/counseling/. Here you can arrange a 30 minute online counseling session to get the information you need and your questions addressed. They will also address general course information and students considering a transfer to FCC. You can also call or visit the main campus:

Physical address:
12345 El Monte Road
Los Altos Hills, CA. 94022
(650) 949-7777