When asked about his future career plans, Emergency Management STEP (EM STEP) Program alumnus Jalen Townsell has much to say about the grant program that helped him take the next step in his education.
“Being able to help others has always been something I’ve loved, so being able to help people on their worst day is something I want to do. The EM STEP Grant is special because it helps people of all ages begin their journey of giving back to others in the community. It allows you to take a step towards your dream, even if you cannot financially afford it,” Townsell said.
Townsell’s story is not uncommon among ѿapp students. The EM STEP program exists to help you begin exploring career opportunities while providing financial assistance.
“I’ve already finished the workshop and gotten my skills certificate during the summer, and I’m hoping to be in the fire service someday. I have taken a couple of rides along with the fire department in Reno, and I had such a fun time doing it,” Townsell says proudly.
“The EM STEP Grant offers students pursuing careers in emergency professions, such as CNA, Phlebotomy, EMT, EMTA, Fire Academy, Sterile Processing, and Dispatch,” said Gemmy Domingo, Program Manager for the EM Step Grant. “It’s an opportunity to complete their training programs without the added financial stress. It provides financial support to cover essential costs like tuition, fees, uniforms, drug screenings, and background checks, allowing students to focus more on their studies and professional development.”
Students looking for financial support and more knowledge about emergency management careers have come to the right place. Domingo says, “The workshop helps students explore the wide range of careers in emergency management, understand the educational pathways, and prepares them to pursue a college degree in the field. For example, one section asks students to discuss which emergency management career fields interest them and research relevant job opportunities.”
“What makes this grant unique is the stipend offered to students, which covers costs specific to public safety and healthcare-related certificate programs. Traditional financial aid may only cover tuition, but the EM STEP Grant further ensures students have what they need – uniforms, drug screening fees, or even background checks. Additionally, the grant gives students a clear path to advance their education without worrying about how to fund their certification programs, provided they meet the eligibility requirements.”
“The EM STEP Grant helped me way more than I expected it to,” said Townsell. “It covered tuition for my EMT basic course and everything from my uniform to the cost of my NREMT. I did not know what to expect when applying for it, but it helped me cover the entire cost of everything for the class.”
“I’d say that the EM STEP Grant is worth completing. You get to complete a workshop that teaches you about emergency management, which helps with your EMS field, and then you get your entire class covered and more. EM STEP Grant is an amazing opportunity to jump-start your career in the medical field,” Townsell continued.
Experienced Professionals Provide Instruction
Your participation in an online workshop set up like a college mini-course will include information on various paths to a career in emergency management: healthcare, law enforcement, fire protection, and more. “You can complete the workshop on Canvas before or during enrollment in a one-semester skills certificate program,” explained Domingo. “It includes personalized career counseling and job or education training. Students also take before and after evaluation surveys to measure their growth and career interests in emergency management.”
Students have 60 hours to complete the workshop, but many finish in closer to 30 hours, depending on their pace.
Dr. Aaron Kenneston and Jeff Whitesides, experienced professionals in emergency management, facilitate the workshop and are available for guidance as you explore various career options.
Kenneston is former Director of the Washoe County Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security. For almost 17 years, he managed the Regional Emergency Operations Center (REOC) in Reno, where his responsibilities included leading Washoe County in planning, training, responding, mitigating, and recovering from all hazards. Kenneston also served on active duty in the Army National Guard for almost 25 years, performing many emergency management roles, and retired as a colonel.
Whitesides previously served as the program coordinator for ѿapp’s BAS Emergency Management program and has 16 years of Public Health Preparedness/Emergency Management at the state and local levels.
“Students have found the program to be thorough and informative. They also appreciate the stipend, which helps alleviate financial concerns, allowing them to focus on their coursework without the stress of how they’ll cover expenses for the semester,” Domingo continued.
As he dreams about the future, Townsell is ready for his next steps toward his chosen career.
“The next steps in accomplishing my goal is to pass this current EMT class and then obtain my Advanced Emergency Medical Technician (AEMT) certificate,” said Townsell. “I also need some fire experience, which will be awesome. I know that the EM STEP grant covers the fire academy, so anyone interested in doing fire should take advantage of this awesome opportunity.”
Sign Up Today and Get Started Soon
The eight-week workshops begin periodically, with the next round beginning in Jan. 2025.
To get started, Domingo recommends applying to the specific program of your choice, as some programs may have pre-registration requirements. Next, fill out a short interest form on the EM STEP Program website. Then, you’ll work with Domingo directly to confirm your participation and continue with the next steps.
Please note the qualifications for the EM Step Program include:
- Students must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident in Nevada or neighboring states,
- At least 18 years old, and
- Pursuing an entry-level Emergency-Related Skills Certificate.
“I want those who funded the EM STEP program to know they are helping people like me achieve their dreams of working in the EMS field. They’re providing opportunities to people who will allow them to work in their dream field without worrying about obtaining debt. I am sure everyone in the EM STEP program is thankful for everyone making it happen,” said Townsell.
For more information about the EM STEP Program, contact the ѿapp Emergency Management STEP Program Manager at 775-857-4967.