Perry’s Frontline Boost: VU Jasper’s New Paramedic Program Could Save Lives Along the Ohio River
A short drive up Highway 162 from Tell City, a new lifeline is about to launch. Vincennes University Jasper will welcome its first class of Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic students on September 23, a 30-credit program designed to put more trained responders on the streets of southern Indiana.
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A short drive up Highway 162 from Tell City, a new lifeline is about to launch. Vincennes University Jasper will welcome its first class of Emergency Medical Services/Paramedic students on September 23, a 30-credit program designed to put more trained responders on the streets of southern Indiana. Announced in July and verified through university and regional news outlets, the certificate is built for working EMTs and newcomers alike who want to advance to full paramedic status.
The coursework blends online instruction with on-site labs and clinical rotations, preparing graduates for national certification and Indiana licensing.
Tuition runs about $5,000 to $6,000, with state workforce grants available to offset costs. For Perry County, the timing is critical. Local fire and EMS crews—especially in Tell City and Cannelton—have felt the squeeze of statewide shortages that leave some ambulance shifts uncovered. Indiana’s vacancy rate for paramedics hovers near ten percent, and rural counties like Perry face the longest response times.
A commute of roughly thirty miles to the Jasper campus means residents can train close to home while keeping their jobs. VU President John Murphy called the program “a way to empower Hoosiers to save lives right here at home.” Applications remain open until September 20, and university staff say several Perry County applicants have already expressed interest. Classes will use VU Jasper’s updated simulation labs, with field experience arranged through regional hospitals and EMS providers—potentially including rotations with Perry County squads. The launch also aligns with the Perry County Development Corporation’s push to grow skilled healthcare careers.
For a county of about nineteen thousand residents with an aging population, more advanced medics mean faster care when minutes matter, whether it’s a farm accident, a highway crash, or a river rescue. Those ready to apply can find details at vinu.edu/jasper or call 812-482-7131.
As Murphy put it, “Every graduate from this program adds a layer of safety for families across southern Indiana.”