On 10/11/24, many of us were informed through various channels that Greenville Technical College’s executive leadership (specifically, the Health Sciences department leadership) have decided to fold the EMT/Paramedic Department.

GTC has produced hundreds upon hundreds of quality EMTs and Paramedics who have positively impacted Emergency Medical Services and healthcare as a whole in the state of South Carolina. They have been one of the top producers of paramedics, with the current (and thus far, final) class as their 40th full paramedic class. They’ve also produced countless classes of EMTs over the years as well. Graduates from GTC’s EMT/Paramedic program have not only launched careers in EMS, but continued to move up into nursing, and many have gone on to become physicians all over the country.  They have resources that no other program has had access to, and have established quality relationships with area hospitals and county EMS services. Yes, there are other good programs out there, but GTC has been a pillar of the Upstate in producing quality providers. This must not and cannot be overlooked or taken for granted.

South Carolina is in DIRE need of EMTs and Paramedics. There has been an ongoing shortage of providers, but GTC has been producing the largest classes of providers for some time now. This is coming to an end. That means even fewer EMTs and Paramedics to staff already under-staffed and over-worked 911 services in the area.

The leadership of Health Sciences has a history of undercutting and holding back the EMT/Paramedic Department. There are students who were already registered for multiple classes next semester who have already committed money and resources to those classes that are not being given direction on what to do now. The educators in the department have not been given any say-so in this decision making.

PETITION: Greenville Technical College, we urge you to reverse this action. Keep the EMT/Paramedic department open. This is an unfair decision that will prove to be detrimental to the services that have to provide care to you and your loved ones. Please give your students, faculty, and adjuncts what they deserve: continued support and education from the top EMT/Paramedic program in the Upstate of SC.

For questions about Greenville Technical College’s decision, email the Dean of Health Sciences:

Candice Lewis

candice.lewis@gvltec.edu