Arkansas City Fire/EMS Welcomes Two New Paramedics

The Arkansas City Fire/EMS Department is proud to announce that Firefighter/EMTs Will Hankins and Jaxson Slater have completed the Cowley College Emergency Medical Education Paramedic Program, officially earning the title of Paramedic during the graduation ceremony held August 20, 2025, at the Cowley College Short Education Center in Wellington. This marks the program’s 45th graduating class.

The program is an intensive, year-long commitment requiring more than 1,200 hours of classroom instruction, hospital clinicals, and field internships. Hankins and Slater balanced this demanding training schedule with their regular duties in the department, a testament to their dedication to both their profession and their community.

During the ceremony, Hankins was recognized as the Slade Griffiths Honor Graduate, an award presented to the student with the highest academic achievement. Both graduates also received the Paramedic Challenge Coin, a tradition that marks the completion of the program and recognizes the hard work and perseverance required to reach this milestone.

“This program is demanding for a reason—it produces paramedics who are ready for the challenges of the job,” Fire Chief Stuart Cassaboom said. “Will and Jaxson have shown the discipline and commitment it takes to succeed, and I’m proud to see them take this next step in serving Arkansas City.”

With their graduation, Hankins and Slater now join the department’s team of paramedics, enhancing its ability to provide advanced life support to the citizens of Arkansas City and Cowley County.