FDNY Holds Graduation Ceremony For 118 EMTs

March 30, 2016

Wednesday, March 30, FDNY held a graduation ceremony for 118 EMTs in Brooklyn. Over more than 10 weeks at EMS Academy, these previously certified EMTs were trained in FDNY operations and procedures, and further updated in all aspects of their job as Emergency Medical Technicians: CPR; patient medical and trauma assessments; oxygen and ventilation skills; management of hypotension and fractures; spinal immobilization and emergency childbirth; hazardous materials and mass casualty incident training; emergency vehicle operation; and EMS operations preparedness, including vehicle extrication and medical simulation training.

"Last year alone, we responded to more than 1.6 million medical emergencies in the 5 boroughs. Starting tomorrow, each of you will be out responding to many of those calls" said FDNY First Deputy Commissioner Robert R. Turner II. "As FDNY EMTs, each of you is absolutely critical to the success of our Department, and you represent the very best this city has to offer."


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"As new EMTs, you are so important to the Department’s life-saving mission, day in and day out. There is no nobler mission than to dedicate your career to saving the lives of others," said FDNY Chief of Department James E. Leonard. "Always remember on every call how truly important you are to this city. As of this moment, you all have the skills, the equipment and the knowledge, but it's up to you to get the job done."


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Twelve foreign languages are spoken by this diverse group of graduates, including: Albanian, Bengali, Cantonese, French, Greek, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Serbian and Spanish. Additionally, 7 of the graduates are veterans of the United States Armed Forces, and 3 are graduates of the FDNY Explorer program.

"Learning in the Academy was a refreshing experience for me and it motivated me even more to use my skills to help others realize that EMTs are great people," said FDNY EMT Stefon Harris, also a former FDNY Explorer. "EMTs play an important role in our city because they go out into the community and help others. This job is important to me, because I’m helping to make a difference in the community."

The new graduates will be assigned to various units throughout New York City.