McLennan Community College: Leaders of Excellence in Emergency Services Education

At the heart of McLennan Community College’s (MCC) commitment to excellence, lies its Emergency Services Education Center (ESEC). Established in 2009, the ESEC has forged a path of exemplary education and training for thousands of first responders and emergency service professionals in the Greater Waco area and beyond. Serving students of all ages and backgrounds, the ESEC offers opportunities for all students to excel both in college and in their future careers.

Located on Steinbeck Bend Road near the Waco Airport, MCC’s ESEC is not just a facility – it represents the future of emergency services in McLennan County. The center proudly hosts prestigious programs in Criminal Justice/Forensic Science, Fire Protection Technology, Paramedicine/EMT, and Law Enforcement.

The ESEC was specifically established for emergency services education and offers access to outstanding training facilities for MCC students as well as state-wide agencies.

Lisa Elliott, Ed.D., Director of Marketing & Communications, McLennan Community College

Some of the most outstanding features of the ESEC include:

• A six-story burn tower

• A mock firehouse

• Weight room

• Take-down lab

• Specialized forensics and crime lab

• Paramedicine lab including an ambulance simulator and training manikins

• Classrooms, meeting rooms, a lecture hall, outdoor equipment, and offices

MCC’s ESEC offers students an exceptional opportunity to work with professors who have invaluable realworld knowledge and experience in emergency services. The ESEC also offers students the unique opportunity to engage with peers from different fields within emergency services and health professions. This multi-disciplinary approach enables students to gain a broader understanding of their chosen field and fosters a dynamic learning environment.

“The programs offered by McLennan Community College’s Emergency Service Education Center play a vital role in training public servants who play a key role in the safety and well-being of our community,” said Dr. Frank Graves, dean of workforce education & public service. “These programs also offer students promising employment opportunities in challenging yet fulfilling professions.”

By combining practical expertise with diverse perspectives, MCC’s ESEC stands out as a premier provider of training in emergency services and prepares the next generation of emergency service professionals to make a positive impact on our community and state.

MCLENNAN FIRE ACADEMY

Since 1997, the McLennan Fire Academy has been at the forefront of training certified structural firefighters, partnering closely with the Waco Fire Department. This unique collaboration has yielded thousands of exceptional firefighters, many of whom continue to serve locally and across Texas. Today, more than 70% of firefighters in McLennan County were trained at MCC, including the Hewitt Fire Chief and Woodway Public Safety Chief. While many graduates remain in the Waco area, MCC’s Fire Academy is well represented in fire departments across the state of Texas, the United States, and even internationally.

The ESEC’s extensive fire technology resources and equipment, which enable students to engage in comprehensive training, includes a training structure, fire engine, flashover chamber, vehicle props, gas meters and compressed gas cylinders, a physical agility course and track, and an outdoor classroom.

Through a combination of classroom instruction and laboratory experience in live-fire scenarios, students gain knowledge in hose and ladder operations, fire science, rescue procedures, highangle and vehicle rescue techniques, hazardous materials handling, and more.

Certificate and training options in Fire Protection Technology at MCC include:

• Certificate in Fire Protection Technology (complete in 1 year)

• Continuing education credits for current firefighters

Upon completion of this program, graduates are well-prepared to undertake the Basic Structural Firefighter Certification exam, stepping into their roles as certified structural firefighters in the state of Texas with confidence.

For more information about the Fire Protection Technology program at MCC, visit www.mclennan. edu/fire or contact Program Director Stephen Cook at 254-299-6511 or scook@mclennan.edu.

MCC’S LAW ENFORCEMENT ACADEMY

With a reputation as one of Central Texas’ premier training programs, McLennan Community College’s Law Enforcement Academy equips students with the latest in law enforcement techniques and knowledge. The program’s professors and staff are dedicated to preparing students for high-demand and fulfilling careers as Peace Officers or Basic Tele-Communicators (Dispatchers) in the state of Texas.

Students in the Basic Peace Officer Certification courses learn about law and cultural diversity and are trained in defensive tactics, emergency medical techniques, firearms, traffic enforcement, and patrol tactics. The Basic Tele-Communicators Certification courses prepare students for situations encountered in an emergency communications environment and trains students in the basic skills needed to collect information in both emergency and non-emergency situations.

Certificate and training options in Law Enforcement at MCC include:

• Basic Peace Officer Certification (complete in 6 months)

• Basic Tele-Communicators Certification (complete in 160 hours of training)

Upon completion of the Basic Peace Officer Certification program, graduates are eligible to take the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) state licensing exam, a pivotal step towards certification. MCC’s Law Enforcement Academy is a licensed TCOLE training program.

For more information about MCC’s Law Enforcement Academy, visit www.mclennan.edu/law or contact Coordinator Matthew Wise at 254-299-6528 or mwise@mclennan.edu.

PARAMEDICINE PROGRAM AND EMT TRAINING AT MCC

The Paramedicine program at McLennan Community College is distinguished by its exceptional training standards and high-fidelity simulation equipment. Small class sizes ensure personalized attention, allowing students to gain mastery in the field. The Paramedicine program at MCC has a reputation for training outstanding paramedics, with graduates in high demand by employers around Central Texas. Students are trained to respond to pre-hospital emergencies and provide the appropriate level of care through handson training in a state-of-the-art lab with an ambulance simulator and working with high-fidelity manikins that simulate real patients as they prepare for real-world field situation and clinical internships. MCC also uses the MCC ambulance to train students on maneuvering and using this type of emergency vehicle.

MCC employs paramedicine professors, who continue to serve their communities as EMS professionals, bringing their knowledge and expertise to the classroom to guide students to master didactic, psychomotor, and affective concepts as they prepare for their careers.

Degree, certificate, and training options in Paramedicine at MCC include:

• Associate in Applied Science degree in Paramedicine (complete in 2 years)

• Level-Two Certificate in Paramedicine (complete in 20 months)

• EMT training (complete in 1 semester)

The one-semester EMT training course is offered in the spring, summer, and fall semesters.

While earning a degree or certificate, students learn anatomy & physiology, patient assessment and treatment skills, cardiac resuscitation, basic and advance airway management, disaster preparedness and response, ambulance operations and more.

MCC’s reputation for excellence in training paramedics and EMTs makes our graduates highly sought-after in public or private EMT facilities. Upon graduation, MCC students have numerous opportunities for employment in Central Texas and elsewhere. Some of our graduates choose to continue their studies at MCC’s Fire Academy to become EMT/ Firefighters, which are also in high-demand throughout the emergency services industry.

For more information about Paramedicine or EMT training at MCC, visit www.mclennan.edu/emt or contact Program Director Justin Lawson at 254-299-6504 or jlawson@mclennan.edu.

MCLENNAN CRIMINAL JUSTICE PROGRAM

For those pursuing a career in correctional services, probation, or law enforcement, or want to enroll in law school, the Criminal Justice program at MCC provides a robust foundation. This program’s faculty and adjunct professors represent nearly one hundred combined years of experience in criminal justice, which provides students with exposure to actual criminal justice scenarios and cases.

Degree, certificate, and training options in Criminal Justice at MCC include:

• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice (complete in 2 years)

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Criminal Justice with an emphasis in Law Enforcement or Corrections (complete in 2 years)

• Associate of Applied Sciences in Forensic Science, beginning in Fall 2024 (complete in 2 years)

• Certificates in Law Enforcement or Corrections (complete in 1 year)

McLennan Community College’s partnership with local and state-wide municipalities enhances the ESEC’s offerings, providing agencies with access to the best training facilities and fostering a pipeline of talent of first responders in Central Texas.

This program offers face-to-face and online courses to fit into a working student’s busy schedule.

For students interested in earning a bachelor’s degree, MCC’s Criminal Justice department has partnered with Tarleton State University. After earning an associate degree, graduates take Tarleton classes on the MCC campus and graduate with a bachelor’s from Tarleton in just a few years.

For more information about the Criminal Justice program at MCC, visit www.mclennan.edu/criminal-justice or contact Program Director Jarred Hankhouse at 254-299-6523 or jhankhouse@mclennan.edu.

COLLABORATION AND ACADEMIC PARTNERSHIPS

“It is important to note that MCC’s ESEC does more than serve our MCC students, it serves as a hub for regional training supporting fire, police, EMT/Paramedicine, and criminal justice professionals currently employed and serving our communities,” says Dr. Fred Hills, vice president of instruction and student engagement. “Training opportunities includes licensing, skills development, and continuing educational opportunities for emergency service professionals regionally and throughout the State of Texas.”

McLennan Community College’s partnership with local and state-wide municipalities enhances the ESEC’s offerings, providing agencies with access to the best training facilities and fostering a pipeline of talent of first responders in Central Texas. McLennan Community College’s Emergency Services Education Center stands as a pillar of excellence in emergency services training.

To apply for any of McLennan Community College’s Emergency Service Education programs, prospective students must be eligible for entry into MCC and have either a high school diploma or GED. For entrance into both the Fire Academy and Law Enforcement Academy, enrollees must pass a criminal background check and have a medical release from their physician.

To learn more about MCC’s Emergency Services Center, visit www.mclennan.edu/emergency-services-education or contact ESEC Director Gary Myles, at 254-299-6501 or gmyles@mclennan.edu.

With a focus on excellence, innovative facilities, experienced professors, educational partnerships, and comprehensive programs, McLennan Community College’s Emergency Services Education Center prepares the next generation of emergency service professionals to make a positive impact on our community. n