Meet the NCOAE Student: Robert Fox, EMT Course Graduate

Within three weeks of graduating from the Intensive Hybrid EMT course offered by us here at The National Center for Outdoor and Adventure Education’s (NCOAE), Robert Fox had obtained his national and state emergency medical technician (EMT) licenses and had a job offer in hand at a local ambulance service.

Today, this Athens, Georgia, native works full time as an EMT. In addition — and in short order — Robert in on track to attend school to become an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) this fall. Advanced emergency medical techs provide basic and limited advanced emergency medical care and transportation for critical and emergent patients. 

These advanced technicians possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide patient care and transportation. And after that schooling? Robert is thinking about starting a paramedic program at a local community college.

So, what prompted such inspiration for our young graduate? Robert began his career as a senior wilderness guide, working in the field from 2007 to 2013. It was while taking a course to maintain his Wilderness First Responder certification that he became interested in more advanced emergency medical services (EMS). 

But, sharing that the timing wasn’t right, Robert decided to work in behavioral health and criminal justice for another decade. Last year, he determined it was time to pursue his dream of becoming an EMT and began his path to practicing paramedicine. 

Intensive EMT Training for Busy Schedules

Robert told us that the intensive hybrid format offered at NCOAE was an exact fit for his busy schedule. He has nothing but praise for the quality of instruction, the expertise of its instructors, and the quality of time spent in the clinical hours required to pass our course. He said he came away from his time at NCOAE with important hands-on experience, and easily passed the North Carolina EMT and National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exams.

Most important? Robert felt confident in his EMT assessment and intervention skills from the moment he walked onto the job site. The experience he gained from a prior career working as a  wilderness guide, coupled with his Wilderness First Responder certification gave him a background in sprains, fractures, cuts/abrasions, and anaphylaxis. But as he immersed himself in the NCOAE program, he said he found himself drawn to and learning most from patients with medical issues complicated by chronic comorbidities and illnesses. 

Robert admits that NCOAE’s 21-day Intensive Hybrid EMT certification course isn’t for everyone. And he concurs that the program is just as intensive as it sounds. The course includes 10 days of virtual instructor-led training and 11 days of hands-on practical skills training at our East coast location in Wilmington, N.C., or our West coast location in Tygh Valley, OR.

If you would like to have the kind of emergency service career that Robert is now enjoying, take a look at or 21-day Intensive Hybrid EMT certification course online, or for more information, call us at (910) 399-8090.