News Release

ESCC Campus

ESCC Bishop to Offer Wilderness First Responder Course

August 29, 2007

Eastern Sierra College Center is pleased to announce that it is offering a new course, Wilderness First Responder (WFR), this fall semester. The WFR course is perfect for anyone who spends significant time enjoying the Sierra backcountry and wants to learn how to handle and manage medical, environmental and traumatic accidents and emergencies in the wilderness. Cerro Coso's adjunct faculty member, Candy Hower, has been trained and certified by Solo www.soloschools.com to provide WFR through Cerro Coso. Students completing this course will receive 3.0 units of college credit and WFR certification through Solo.

The Wilderness First Responder curriculum uses the principles of long-term care, improvised resources, and varying environmental conditions for the framework of learning. Students will learn the patient assessment system, which will help determine the medical, traumatic and environmental problems of backcountry patients. Environmental issues such as hypothermia and heat injuries are dealt with in great detail. The course includes practical simulations and labs to provide practice in backcountry leadership and rescue skills.

The WFR course is Tuesday evenings from 5:30 – 9:00 PM beginning September 18th and running through December 11th. Four full Saturday sessions will also be required and the dates will be announced by the instructor. The cost of the course is only $215 which includes tuition, certification by Solo and books provided by Solo. The course will be held at the Eastern Sierra College Center, Bishop Campus, 4090 West Line Street. To register, visit the campus, call 872-1565, or go online, www.cerrocoso.edu.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joann Handeland, Director of Public Information (760) 384-6230