Shaheen Continues “Invest in NH Tour” with Visit to Lakes Region Community College to Discuss Paramedic Certificate Program

(Laconia, NH) – Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), a senior member of the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, continued her “Invest in NH Tour” with a visit to Lakes Region Community College (LRCC) to learn more about its paramedic certificate program. The “Invest in NH” tour highlights the important funding opportunities Shaheen has secured for New Hampshire. In the fiscal year (FY) 2023 government funding bill that was signed into law, Shaheen secured more than $111 million for New Hampshire-specific projects. Photos from the event can be found here.

“Paramedic certificate programs, like the one established at Lakes Region Community College, are critical to addressing the shortage of emergency medical personnel and first responders in New Hampshire and saving lives,” said Senator Shaheen. “I was proud to secure funding that is helping the program provide essential, life-saving training while also setting students of up for life-long, successful, careers as first responders.”

Shaheen secured a $580,000 award for Lakes Region Community College to establish a new Paramedic training and certification program in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 government funding bill through the congressionally directed spending (CDS) process. The funding is being used to offset tuition costs for students and to address instructional costs for the program. Recognizing the barriers facing potential students, LRCC has designed a 12-month program with flexible and convenient schedules for working firefighters and EMTs.  

Through her role on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, Shaheen has routinely fought to provide funding for New Hampshire’s community colleges and professional training programs. In April, Shaheen toured the Hannah Grimes Center for Entrepreneurship to discuss rural entrepreneurship after securing $528,000 in Congressionally Directed Spending to support the center. Last fall, Shaheen visited Nashua Community College (NCC) to learn about its new Aviation Technology Center. She secured funding to support the purchase of updated training aids and equipment for the Center.

Shaheen has led efforts to address the shortage of emergency medical professionals and first responders throughout New Hampshire. In August, Shaheen joined New Hampshire’s Congressional delegation to announce more than $2.9 Million in Assistance to Firefighters Grants (AFG) to Support Granite State Firefighters. 

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