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Steamboat Springs — Instead of waiting tables, Scott Tuning became an Emergency Medical Technician as a way to make money during college.

"I loved it," he said.

Tuning didn't establish a secure 401K during his early 20s, but he did discover an interest in the Emergency Medical Services. Last week, he became the full-time instructor for Basic and Intermediate EMT courses at Colorado Mountain College, a position he had been eyeing.

"I was teaching and running on the ambulance," said Tuning of his previous positions in the Ouray and Telluride area. "I was looking for a full-time teaching position."

CMC had been without an EMT instructor since last summer when former instructor Paul Yonekawa resigned. The first search for a teacher was unsuccessful.

CMC Alpine Campus Dean Kerry Hart said he is thrilled with the results of the second search chaired by Kemp Bohlen.

"We aggressively looked for Scott," Hart said. "He's going to be great. He's already doing the right things. He's made the right connections in the community."

That's welcome news to Mel Stewart, EMS Battalion Chief for the Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue. All newcomers to Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue have to have their Basic EMT certification when they join or within a specified period of time after joining.

Without courses in Steam-

boat, those employees sought training out-of-town.

Tuning is expecting to start a Basic EMT course this summer, which will cost between $500 and $600 and last from June 11 through Aug. 16.

"It's a pretty intense two months," Tuning said.

In addition to Steamboat Springs Fire Rescue workers, members of Routt County Search and Rescue, employees of the Steamboat Ski Area, area raft guides and other law enforcement personnel benefit from and use EMT certifications. In some cases, EMT certification is required for those fields, which is why Hart and Stewart are pleased with Tuning's hire.

"We are very excited to have Scott on board and optimistic CMC will get local EMS training revamped," Stewart said.

Tuning has his associate's degree in Emergency Medical Services, or EMS, with an emphasis on paramedics. He also is nearing a degree in business management through Colorado Technical University. But he is no stranger to what emergency personnel encounter in the field and brings that expertise to the classroom, as well.

"I've had two field deliveries, but on an ambulance," Tuning said. "There have been several car accidents I've rolled up on in my personal car and helped in wilderness areas."

CMC instructor Susan Good has been teaching Wilderness First Responder courses and Outdoor Emergency Care, which are similar to Basic EMT but more specific to a mountainous area.

She will continue teaching more occupational health and safety programs, Hart said.

"EMT Basic and Intermediate better equip students to get a job in all environments," Tuning said. "I'll be teaching an entirely new set of courses."

On Thursday, Tuning sat in the one of the classrooms surrounded by dummies used to help students learn CPR and other emergency procedures. A course intended to help fund college expenses has turned into a career, which he admittedly never expected. But he enjoys passing his knowledge on to others. After all, being an EMT saves lives.

"I've hardly talked to anybody who has ever regretted taking EMT courses or anyone who has let their certification go," Tuning said.

Currently, CMC does not offer the highest level of EMT certification, which is the paramedic certification Tuning has achieved, but Tuning said he is hoping to change that in the future.

- To reach Melinda Mawdsley, call 871-4208 or e-mail mmawdsley@steamboatpilot.com