Founded through a unique partnership between educators, employers and unions.

The mission of the B-STEP program is to provide high quality fire & EMS education to the East Bay community with a specific focus on local youth.

 

B-STEP was founded in 2013 through the convergence of the Berkeley Unified School District, the Berkeley Fire Department and the Berkeley Fire Fighters Association.

In 2015 B-STEP created a key partnership with a local community college district. Through these partner organizations, students can access tutoring, other wrap-around services,  financial aid and receive college credit for the Paramedic Academy.

 

Primary Instructors

Hanyah Zackriah
Instructor, Fire Science

Edgar Chavez
Instructor, EMT

Chris Coughlin
Paramedic Program Director

 

Who Makes This Possible?

Tom Reid
BAS Principal

Wyn Skeels
BHS Career Technical Education (CTE) Liason

Barret Donahue
BAS Administration

Stephanie Allan
BUSD CTE Advisor

 

David Sprague
BFD Fire Chief

Levon Thaxton
BFD Captain

Evan Deker
Dean, Contra Costa College

Chris Coughlin
CCC, Paramedic Program Director

Aaron Baker
CCC, EMT Program Director

 

Loni Hancock
CA State Senator (ret)

Jesse Arreguin
Mayor, Berkeley

Julie Sinai
Community Advocate

 

EMT

PREREQUISITES

Students must posses the following to be considered (by time of application):

  • 17 years old

  • Valid California Driver's License

  • Permanent Resident of California

Students must have these items completed at a date determined by the instructor:

  • State of California background check

  • Current AHA CPR certification

  • Required vaccinations

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Mandatory Orientation, Math & English Testing

  • Application & Resume

Paramedic

PREREQUISITES

Students matriculating to the Contra Costa College Paramedic Academy must posses the following to be considered (by time of application):

  • High school diploma (or equivalent)

  • Valid California EMT certificate

  • AHA BLS certification

  • At least 6 months of EMT experience

  • College-level anatomy and physiology course

  • Completion of a paramedic entrance exam.