FDNY Graduates New Paramedics, EMT's

[Share]Published: December 22, 2014 FDNY Graduates 186 Paramedics and EMTs The new paramedics and EMTs during the graduation ceremony. The FDNY graduated 186 new paramedics and EMTs on Dec. 22 at a ceremony at York College. “Take time to celebrate this special day in your career,” Fire Commissioner Daniel Nigro said. “You’ve earned the right to call yourselves FDNY paramedics and EMTs. I hope you enjoy this moment because you’ve certainly earned it.”  One-hundred-and-one paramedics and 85 EMTs were among the graduates. Paramedic Jose Pelaez, Paramedic Anthony Kendall, Paramedic Antonio Accardo, EMT Joseph Baldwin and EMT Joshua Haber were named class Valedictorians.  The ceremony commenced with a moment of silence for NYPD Officers Wenjian Liu and Rafael Ramos, who were killed in the line of duty on Dec. 20. The paramedics and EMTs file into the auditorium for their graduation ceremony. “You are the face of the city for so many,” Chief of Department James Leonard said. “You show up in a person’s time of need.” Eleven languages are spoken by this diverse group of graduates, including Cantonese, Creole, French, Greek, Korean, Italian, Mandarin, Polish and Yoruba. “This is a season of giving and this is a career of giving,” Chief of EMS Abdo Nahmod said. “You all have the opportunity to make a difference in someone’s life.” FDNY paramedics are trained for nine months at the EMS Academy. They were trained in anatomy, physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, among other critical lifesaving skills.  FDNY EMTs are trained for 10 weeks in life-saving skills like CPR, patient medical and trauma assessments, oxygen and ventilation skills, and emergency vehicle operation.

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