Photo submitted to Times Observer Jesse DeLoof and Donna Smith of Warren H-Ed accept CPR training equipment from Scott Rose, deputy director of emergency management of Warren County.

Warren Forest Higher Education Council is now an approved education provider of the Emergency Care & Safety Institute.

As an approved education provider, Hi-Ed is able to offer CPR, First Aid, AED, Bloodborne & Airborne Pathogens, Emergency Medical Responder, as well as several other emergency care courses.

As of the first of the year, Emergency Management of Warren County transferred its equipment for CPR & First Aid training to Hi-Ed, which is taking over that role EMS served for many years.

“Serving the community by having these courses available fits well with the Hi-Ed mission of meeting the communities educational needs,” according to Joan Stitzinger, Hi-Ed Executive Director.

By Hi-Ed offering these courses, local volunteers, such volunteer fire departments, will have access to the certifications and continuing education that EMS provided.

Individuals will be able to sign up for CPR & First Aid classes at the Warren Hi-Ed building on the State Hospital grounds. Hi-Ed will serve the business community by delivering classes at the work site.

Many businesses are mandated to have people certified in CPR & First Aid on hand. One of the goals of this change over is to make this training course more accessible to the community and businesses.

“We have done some businesses and doctor’s offices (in the past), but Hi-Ed has more contacts with businesses, and I think they’ll be able to grow that part of it a little more,” said Scott Rose, the deputy director of Emergency Management of Warren County. “They’ll get more training out there. That’s the whole idea, to get more people trained in CPR and First Aid. ”

Being trained in CPR and First Aid can improve the health and safety of the general public, as well as the workplace. In an emergency, the proper immediate response is crucial, and knowing what to do can make a difference between life and death.

If you are interested in having a CPR & First Aid course, contact Hi-Ed at 1-814-723-3222.