RCC, Bladen companion on increasing attain of 911 telecommunicators diploma program

HAMLET — In an effort to advertise collaboration over competitors, Richmond Neighborhood School is partnering with Bladen Neighborhood School to make out there its new 911 telecommunications program to extra college students throughout the state of North Carolina.

Dr. Dale McInnis, president of RichmondCC, and Dr. Amanda Lee, president of Bladen Neighborhood School, signed an settlement on Monday that might permit BCC college students to enroll within the on-line program and full an affiliate diploma in 911 Communications and Operations.

The diploma program supplies a pathway for people who’re desirous about beginning a profession on this subject, in addition to offering expertise enhancement for these already working as 911 telecommunicators. This system, which can open this fall semester, is exclusive to RichmondCC, as it isn’t at present supplied anyplace else in North Carolina.

“We’re grateful to Dr. McInnis for working with the 911 state board to give you this program to coach new dispatchers, and we’re much more excited that Richmond Neighborhood School is prepared to companion with us,” Lee mentioned.

Lee mentioned there are about 25 vacancies for 911 operators in Bladen County and surrounding counties.

“There’s a large demand for dispatchers, and we’re excited to be working collectively to satisfy that want,” Lee mentioned.

Bladen college students will full the core programs and the work-based studying portion of this system by way of RichmondCC, whereas finishing different basic training necessities at Bladen Neighborhood School.

RichmondCC has labored carefully with the N.C. 911 Board and the N.C. Division of Info Know-how to develop this system.

“911 telecommunicators are critically necessary positions that we have now all throughout our state, and we have to appeal to extra individuals into this profession subject with higher pay, higher coaching and extra skilled alternatives,” McInnis mentioned. “With a specialised program like this being supplied in rural North Carolina, our objective is to return collectively to construct up our collective strengths to construct a extremely robust program that may assist everybody throughout the state, relatively than duplicate and replicate unnecessarily.”

RichmondCC is now registering college students for the 2023 Fall Semester. College students can apply at no cost on-line at www.richmondcc.edu/admissions. For extra data, name RichmondCC at (910) 410-1700. For extra details about Bladen Neighborhood School, go to www.bladencc.edu or name (910) 879-5500.