Seasoned EMS Veteran Selected to Lead Paramedic Program

Publish Date: Sept. 21, 2021

Crafton Hills College has one of the most respected emergency medical services programs in California. The program’s newest paramedic director is a well- respected skills instructor for fellow first responders and a product of the Yucaipa- based college’s program.

Crafton’s new paramedic director, Amanda Ward, was destined to be a first responder. She is the daughter of a firefighter paramedic and a 911 dispatcher. She started her career as an emergency medical technician in 2002. In 2007, she went back to school, attending CHC for her paramedic certificate. She later returned to Crafton as an emergency medical skills instructor in 2009 and has been teaching ever since.

“I believe in the quality of our program at CHC, and my goal is to help as many potential paramedics become the life- saving heroes our community needs,” she said. “I am so excited for the challenges and opportunities that come with my new role at CHC.”

Faculty and instructors in Crafton’s emergency medical services are all former or currently working first responders, including Ward, who has nearly 14 years of experience working for American Medical Response in Redlands and Palm Springs and two years’ experience as a flight paramedic for the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department. She has also volunteered to serve on professional groups, including the EMS Educators Committee, EMS Officers, Medical Advisory Committee and System Advisory Committee, all of which are part of the Inland Counties Emergency Medical Agency (ICEMA) and the San Bernardino Emergency Care Committee.

Upon completion of their courses, CHC graduates overwhelmingly pass their National Registry exams. For the last three years, 96 percent of Crafton graduates have passed their exams. Fall classes start August 16.

Students report that CHC’s emergency medical services program is tops. Jovan Fierro, a recent graduate of the program, says that he was offered his “dream job” to work for Redlands Fire upon completing the program and passing his exam.

“My experience with the EMS program at Crafton was amazing.This program strives to make you successful and sets you up to become a great paramedic in the field,” Fierro said. “They work hard on keeping a great learning environment, which helps students during a stressful year. I always felt there was someone to reach out to and ask questions at all times.”

Fierro said he has heard from his colleagues and others in the field that CHC’s program is well respected among first responders. Ward was one of his instructors while he studied at Crafton and said she is incredibly serious and passionate about teaching future paramedics.

“Based on conversations I’ve had with students of other programs, no other program has gone to this extent to make their students successful like Amanda and other instructors at CHC do,” he stated. “She was also that one instructor who everyone could talk to - she made herself available at all times for anything we needed.”