A new EMT program offered at Crystal River High School as part of the CRHS Academy of Health Careers is now called The Phil Royal EMT Program. School board members unanimously voted on the new name during Tuesday's Board workshop on Tuesday, January 28, alongside CRHS Principal Dr. Linda Connors, April Royal and Phil and April's daughter Brelyn.
Even though school board member Thomas Kennedy was a huge part of this endeavor, he wanted Phil's dear friend, school board member Doug Dodd, to make the motion. "You both worked at the Sheriff's Office together for years and I know this is very near to your heart to be able to set this program in motion," said Kennedy. With Dodd's motion - the board voted unanimously for the name change.
This is a terrific partnership with the College of Central Florida as CF provides certified instructors to teach students at CRHS. With this new dual enrollment program in place, students will now be able to take EMT certification tests when they turn 18 and apply for jobs immediately after graduation, rather than be required to wait until after completing high school to begin the EMT education process.
The official kickoff of the EMT program will be Friday, February 28th at CRHS.