Robert Whistler is New EMS Coordinator

Robert Whistler was selected as Martin Community College's (MCC) new EMS (Emergency Management Services) Coordinator in December and started his duties on January 4. Whistler replaces Carla Godwin who accepted another position with College of the Albemarle in October.

Whistler comes to MCC via the Edgecombe County Rescue Squad where he served as the Deputy Chief. Prior to that, Whistler was the Coordinator of Emergency Services and Public Safety Training for Edgecombe Community College (ECC). He has worked as an EMS Instructor for ECC and as the Lead EMS Instructor at Nash Community College (NCC). As a paramedic, Whistler has also provided Advanced Life Support (ALS) services for both, the Edgecombe County Rescue Squad, and the Wilson County EMS.

He began his EMS training at Conemaugh School of EMS in Johnstown, PA., where he earned his National Registry Paramedic Certificate. After making his way south, Whistler earned an AAS Degree in EMS Bridging from Lenoir Community College in Kinston, and in 2018, he attained his BS degree in Business from NC Wesleyan College with a concentration in Organizational Management.

Whistler is also currently certified as a CMC Rope Rescue Technician, an AHA Instructor (for BLS, ACLS, PALS, and ACLS-EP), an NIMS (National Incident Management System) Core Curriculum Instructor (ICS, NIMS, AHPS), an N.C. Level II EMS Instructor, and an NAEMSE (National Association of EMS Educators) Level I Instructor.

Nathan Mizell, MCC's Vice President of Continuing Education states, "I am so pleased to have Robert Whistler joining our Public Safety training team. His experience and education make him an extremely versatile instructor and leader. I look forward to seeing him build a strong working relationship with our regional EMS Departments and Martin Community College."

Whistler has already busy scheduling classes for the remainder of the 2020-2021 Academic Year. The EMS community can keep up with Whistler and MCC's training opportunities on the College's EMS FaceBook page at https://www.facebook.com/Martin-Community-CollegeEMS-102032678075861. First up is an EMT (Emergency Medical Technician) Initial class.

This 246-hour course will be offered on the Williamston campus, from 6 - 9 p.m., on Mondays and Wednesdays, starting on February 1 and ending on May 29. This training includes classroom, on-line, and psychomotor learning. Also, students must complete clinical and fielded internship hours during the course. Prerequisites for the course include being 17 years of age on or before the official end date of the course and possessing a high school diploma, high school equivalency or proof of successful completion of an exam assessing basic reading comprehension skills at a minimum at the eleventh-grade level. The candidate must also provide proof of immunizations prior to beginning field or clinical education. With successful completion of the course the student will be eligible to take the NC EMT Exam. For additional information, or to register for the class, contact Robert Whistler at rw08276@martincc.edu or via phone at 252-789-0266.