Big EMT Class Joins New York's Fire EMS
"Welcome to the premier emergency medical service in the country," Chief of Department Edward Kilduff told 77 new EMTs on Jan. 27. "Be ready, be prepared, be on your toes, be proud."
Their training over, 77 new emergency medical technicians joined the New York City Fire Department (FDNY) Emergency Medical Service on Jan. 27. "Today you are transforming from bystanders into life savers," Fire Commissioner Salvatore Cassano told them. "You have chosen a rewarding job, one that lets you make a difference every day."
These newcomers entered through a program of entry-level career positions that lead to full-time employment in the EMS Command. The class was partially funded with federal stimulus money through a partnership with the New York City Department of Small Business Services.
"Welcome to the premier emergency medical service in the country," Chief of Department Edward Kilduff said. "Be ready, be prepared, be on your toes, be proud."
FDNY EMS is one of the country's largest fire-based EMS departments. In 2009, its personnel made 48,527 ambulance runs of the most severe category (cardiac arrest or choking) with an average response time of 5:07, according to the department's online statistics. Total ambulance runs by the department for all of 2009 were 1,397,971 with an average response time of 8 minutes, 27 seconds.
FDNY said four members of the class -- EMTs Nicholas Waldrop, Darryl Goodridge, Alaisha Francois, and Tristen Echols -- are the first graduates of the FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety in Brooklyn to join FDNY.