FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FEBRUARY 19, 2014
CONTACT: Ginger Ontiveros - (760) 245-4271 ext. 2523; ginger.ontiveros@vvc.edu
San Manuel Band of Mission Indians supports life-saving training programs at Victor Valley College
Victor Valley College Foundation receives $77,000 grant from San Manuel Band of Mission Indians to purchase equipment for firefighter, paramedic and administration of justice programs.
VICTORVILLE, CA (February 19, 2014) – For a second year in a row, the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians granted $77,000 to the Victor Valley College Foundation to help enhance emergency responder training provided at the Victor Valley College Regional Public Safety Training Center.
The state-of-the-art center in Apple Valley, California has been in operation for almost one full year. It is one of the only facilities in the United States which assists students to not only learn their specific areas of study but also to participate together in a wide variety of emergency scenarios. Thanks to San Manuel’s generous grant to the Emergency Careers Ladder’s Project, students enrolled in the Administration of Justice, Paramedic and Fire-Technology programs will now have additional equipment to give them a “leg up” as they prepare for future careers as law enforcement officers, paramedics and firefighters.
“Without question San Manuel’s commitment to safety is evident in their investment in our programs,” said Heath Cohen, Victor Valley College Fire Academy Chief for the Regional Public Safety Training Center. “We couldn’t be more thankful tothe Tribe for its continued support and we value their partnership.”
Three of the programs at the RPSTC will benefit from the grant funds. First, a portion will be used to purchase much needed turnout gear for fire-technology students who are fulfilling their required internship hours at local stations. Due to the demanding nature of the real-world training environment, turnout gear needs to be replaced on an on-going basis and current inventory was not acceptable by most departments. Students serving in the capacity as an intern have a direct effect on the community as they work alongside active firefighters on emergency calls. In addition, it gives them the qualifications they need to obtain their Firefighter 1 Certificate as well as the time and experience they need to be competitive in their career field. Thanks to San Manuel’s generous gift they now are now properly outfitted with the gear they need to be successful in their field.
“The people of San Manuel have a strong belief in keeping communities safe,” said San Manuel Chairperson Carla Rodriguez. “This is why we strongly support Victor Valley College and their continued efforts to better prepare public safety professionals with state-of-the-art equipment.”
Other funds will be used to purchase a new class set of computers dedicated for testing students enrolled in the Administration of Justice program. As of 2014, the California State Peace Officer’s Standards and Training (POST) has phased out the use of current testing methods – scantrons – and requires all POST training providers to use electronic testing through the use of laptop computers. These computers will also be available for research, report writing and review of study materials. The Administration of Justice program serves more than 800 students annually and the computers will assist the students in meeting their certification requirements as well as give them transferable technical skills for the workforce.
Finally, San Manuel’s grant will provide funding for new audio visual equipment to create a mobile simulation field lab for the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) program. Currently, students record these training exercises on iPad’s (also funded by San Manuel); however, now new equipment, students will have the ability to record, watch and evaluate their performance. Students of today learn best through active participation and self-evaluation provided through well-designed simulation experiences.
Victor Valley College Regional Public Safety Training Center is a $31.5 million, state-of-the-art training complex specifically designed to support students in the Administration of Justice, Fire Technology, Emergency Medical Services and Correction programs. It provides students a unique and far reaching training opportunity for cooperative emergency scenario cross-training exercises experienced by first responders every day in the normal course of the job.
For more information about Victor Valley College and the programs available at the Regional Public Safety Training Center, visit www.vvc.edu. To learn about the San Manuel Band of Mission Indians, visit www.sanmanuel-nsn.gov.
The Victor Valley College Foundation is a charitable organization that makes friends and raises funds to help Victor Valley college better serve its students and community. Visit, www.vvcfoundation.com or find us on Facebook to join the growing number of people and organizations who contribute to support our mission