400 Health Professionals Attend QCC's Free Course, Making A Difference To The Community

WORCESTER, MA— May 29, 2020 —  Quinsigamond Community College’s Center for Workforce Development and Continuing Education has met the challenges of the global pandemic head-on by recently offering a free course on infection control and barrier protection proficiency. Hundreds of practicing allied health professionals attended the course, which focused on pragmatic prevention processes in clinical healthcare environments. Over two dozen Worcester firefighter recruits participated in the course and City of Worcester Training Division Fire Captain Steven Oberg said the class provided up-to-date information and was relevant for his recruits.

“Much of what we do as firefighters involves direct patient care on the street.  An educated firefighter is a good firefighter. Someone who can think on their feet and make decisions quickly,” Captain Oberg said.

Course attendees were able to learn safe and protective ways to deal with blood borne pathogens, needle-sticks, and sharps safety, an area where recruits may lack experience.

“I would recommend this course to other first responders and healthcare workers. It is a great way to learn new information for those who haven’t been trained yet and is also a great way for those who have been trained to reinforce their training,” said recruit Wesley Allain.

Recruit James Sharry agreed.

“Being a firefighter in a time like this can be challenging because of the connection to the community and interactions that are required daily. Having this knowledge can not only help the individual firefighters to remain safe, but it allows for the community as a whole to be sure that they have a full fire force that is not handicapped by many illnesses,” Mr. Sharry said, adding, “Protecting ourselves and our colleagues allows us to be available at full strength in health and numbers.”

QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja said it is vitally important to work together as a community during this health crisis, and the free course is just one of the ways in which the College is helping its community.

“We have redoubled our efforts in finding ways in which to assist our community,” President Pedraja said.

Captain Oberg said he has passed the information learned in the course to the District 7 Fire training coordinator, who was going to share it with all district member departments.

“I do feel like the course was valuable and will help me throughout my career as a firefighter. Being a first responder we must know about the safest ways to deal with and control diseases, which is exactly what this course teaches. I have already used some of the information that I learned during this course without being on the job yet,” said recruit John Simoncini.

“If another first responder or healthcare worker has not yet taken this course, I would highly recommend they do so,” recruit Nicholas Toedt added. “This information is especially important in the current climate. Knowing how to properly control the spread of infectious disease, and understanding the proper safety measures that need to be taken, can ultimately save lives.”

To learn more about this course and current free courses offered, visit https://www.QCC.edu/center-workforce-development-and-continuing-education

For more information on QCC, contact Josh Martin, Director of Institutional Communications at 508.854.7513 or jmartin [at] qcc.mass.edu