Nicholas VanEpps

Cole brings 25 years of EMS experience to the classroom. He began his career as an EMT in 2001 and became a paramedic in 2004.

His experience includes leading EMS operations and treating patients in a high-volume 911 system, providing hospital-based paramedicine, resuscitating patients alongside nurses and physicians, conducting search and rescue operations, and caring for firefighters during wildfire deployments. He has also served as a Tactical Paramedic with the Gilpin County Sheriff’s Office and Rocky Mountain Combined Tactical Team and has received Life-Saving Awards in both Colorado and Oregon. In the EMT Hybrid course, Cole combines online education with hands-on training, helping students connect EMT concepts to patient care, emergency response, teamwork, and high-pressure decision-making in the field. His engaging approach encourages students to ask questions, practice essential skills, and build confidence throughout their training. Cole is dedicated to bringing his real-life experience to create a supportive, engaging, and motivating learning environment that prepares students not only for EMT certification, but also for the next steps in their career. This can include possible paths toward becoming a firefighter, paramedic, or emergency room technician.