INSTRUCTOR HIGHLIGHT SCOTT WHETSELL

A MFRI instructor for nearly a decade, Scott Whetsell works full time as an Information Systems Specialist with the West Virginia State Police. He also works contractually for Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) as a Basic Life Support (BLS) Evaluator and volunteers at the LaVale Volunteer Rescue Squad and Cresaptown Volunteer Fire Department.

His busy schedule reflects his commitment to the field as does the time he devotes to teaching. Scott initially took an interest in becoming an instructor after being encouraged by other instructors. “I thought that being able to teach others in a field that I care about so deeply would be a great way to give back and serve the next generation,” said Scott. “Interestingly enough, I was so naive about the whole process, I thought it was on a volunteer basis. When I applied to be an instructor, I had no idea that it was a paid position.”

Scott primarily teaches initial EMT courses as well as EMT Refresher, EMT Skills, EMS Officer I, Emergency Vehicle Operator (EVOC), and Emergency Medical Responder (EMR). He is also an instructor-evaluator, mentor and part of MFRI’s QA/QI cadre.

In the classroom, Scott aims to make the material interesting to keep students attentive and engaged. “I make full use of the time available in my classes to help benefit the students. I also offer extra practice time outside of class to any student who needs it,” said Scott. “My goal is to make students as functionally ready and knowledgeable as possible. I hold myself and my students to a high standard to ensure success.”

Clearly Scott started strong with this philosophy as his very first (interim) class passed state and national registry exams with a 100% first-attempt pass rate.

“Scott is a fantastic instructor with a strong commitment to student success,” said Todd Dyche, regional coordinator for MFRI’s Western Maryland Regional Training Center. “His dedication to EMS is evident through his students’ NREMT results.”

“Interacting with a wide range of students and being part of their journey as they become EMS Clinicians is the reward,” said Scott. Teaching them new concepts in ways that they understand, seeing the ‘light bulbs’ come on, and seeing them obtain licensure successfully inspires Scott. “It is amazing to be there to help them through it all and see their hard work pay off in the end.”

When he’s not working or volunteering, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife Kristina, and three cats Simba, Nala and Kiara. He also plays action-adventure, strategy and simulation games and collects and builds Lego and Monopoly sets.