FDNY Graduates New Class of EMTs and Paramedics

Published: March 31, 2015 FDNY Graduates Class of EMTs and Paramedics The new graduates salute On Friday, March 27, FDNY graduated seven new paramedics and 32 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs). The ceremony took place at the FDNY Training Academy on Randall’s Island. " We all want you to succeed in your new roles because you are a critical part of this Department, and every second you wear the FDNY uniform, you are representing the very best this city has to offer," said First Deputy Fire Commissioner Robert R. Turner II. "I have the utmost confidence that each of you will uphold that reputation, and continue to show why the FDNY is so special." Among the group of new graduates was one military veteran – Richard Lundberg, who served with the United States Army. Six foreign languages are spoken by this diverse group of graduates, including: Arabic, Creole, Hebrew, Polish, Russian, and Spanish. FDNY responded to more than 1.3 million medical emergencies in 2014. These new graduates will be assigned to various units throughout the city. FDNY Paramedics are trained for 9 months at the EMS Academy, in all aspects of their job as Paramedics and Advanced Life Support providers, the highest level of pre-hospital care. These Paramedics were thoroughly trained anatomy and physiology, biochemistry and pharmacology, as well as many critical lifesaving skills: intravenous therapy and medication administration; EKG monitoring and cardiac rhythm interpretation; and advanced airway management. FDNY EMTs are trained for 10 weeks at the EMS Academy 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; and spinal immobilization and emergency childbirth; and emergency vehicle operation.