Posted
5-10-08
Casper College News
Two-Week Class to Train Emergency Dispatchers
Casper (CC) --A two-week class to train individuals to become emergency dispatchers
will begin on Monday, June 2 at Casper College.
The Casper College Center for Training and Development (CTD) was
contacted by the Casper Police Department, which is currently
experiencing a shortage of qualified applicants for its Public Safety
Communications Center.
*This is an excellent career,* says Kenyne Schlager, Casper College
workforce specialist. *The pay is good, and those working fulltime are
eligible for full benefits.*
The two-week, half-day classes will cover a variety of topics and
include basic law, civil liability and ethics, leadership, conflict
resolution, 10-code/abbreviations, gathering information in emergencies,
map reading, incident command, interpersonal communications, and radio,
telephone and computer procedures. Students will also tour emergency
operation locations. The two-week course will end with testing and a
certificate ceremony.
A former dispatcher herself, Schlager notes that anyone who thrives on
adrenalin will love the job. In addition, she says it is also a great
job for fire science and criminal justice students who could do the job
on a part-time basis.
*Emergency dispatchers are life savers, and believe me, saving a life
is a pretty impressive feeling. As a dispatcher, you are part of a team,
and you make a difference. Without people to do this job, the city would
have a hard time functioning. Dispatchers are the lifeline of the
community,* Schlager says.
The class is limited to 20 students and the cost is only $260 per
person, which includes all training, materials, ride-alongs, direct
observation opportunities and classes.
For more information or to register contact Schlager at 268-3847.
Freshmen Judgers Take First and Second at Last Show The Casper College Freshman Livestock Judging Team ended the judging
season on a high note with impressive wins, including both first and
second place overall at the Grand National Stock Show.
In addition to the overall wins, the team took home the top two team
spots in reasons; won first and second in cattle and first in sheep
judging. "We set goals to strive for excellence in practice, and these
students give 100 percent. By striving for 100 percent in practice,
winning just naturally follows," says Kolby Burch, freshman livestock
judging coach and agriculture instructor.
Individually, the team excelled as well with Samantha Ufford (Vernal,
Utah) claiming the "high spot" and winning a "beautiful buckle."
Erin Marvin (Keensburg, Colo.) took second overall and Megan Brumfield
(Shepherd, Mont.) was third overall and tied for first in reasons with
Kaylee Kerbs (Saratoga, Wyo.) who also finished sixth overall.
Blake Kawcak (Craig, Colo.) finished first in placings "with an
impressive low drop of eight points and finished fourth overall," says
Burch. Josh Johnson (McDonald, Kan.) placed fifth overall.
The Grand National Stock Show was held in San Francisco at the
legendary Cow Palace. "Going to San Francisco was a lifetime
experience for many of these judgers. These freshmen haven"t been out
much, they have mostly been here at the college working in preparation
of their sophomore year as judgers. They have been very successful at
the handful of contests they did compete at," notes Burch.
According to Burch those contests were the Iowa Beef Expo where the
team placed ninth and tenth against sophomore judgers; the Oklahoma
Panhandle State Contest where the team won the freshman contest; and the
West Texas A&M Contest where the team placed third and the four
top-placing individuals were all Casper College judgers.
"I am really looking forward to next year with these judgers," says
Burch. "It looks to be a promising one."
Forensics Team Scores National Awards
The Casper College Forensics Team has returned from its final
competition for the 2007-08 school year with six national awards.
The National Phi Rho Pi Tournament, held in St. Charles, Ill.,
attracted 71 community colleges from around the country with nearly 700
participants. *This tournament was more competitive than the last
three years, which makes our national wins even more special,* says
Jessica Hurless, director of forensics at Casper College.
The team was led in winnings by freshman Erica Cushmore, (Cheyenne) who
came away with three national awards. *Erica received a silver in
Prose Interpretation, a bronze in Speech-to-Entertain, and a bronze in
Parliamentary debate,* Hurless says.
Cushmore won the bronze in Parliamentary debate along with her partner,
sophomore Shelley Dolinar (Evanston). The Parliamentary debate, with 96
teams competing, was the largest event at the tournament.
The other wins came from sophomore Michelle Anderson (Morrill, Neb.),
who won a bronze in Dramatic Interpretation, and freshman Jacob Cooper
(Casper) who took a bronze in the newest debate at Nationals, the
National Association of Forensics Association Lincoln-Douglas (NFA LD),
which requires one person to debate both sides of the proposition.
Despite the end of tournament season, Hurless says the team is already
preparing for next season. *We have had a strong recruiting season and
I can hardly wait to see what out ream can achieve next season with the
leadership of these freshman national champions,* she says.
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