NEW YORK — The FDNY welcomed 178 new EMTs and paramedics into the department at a graduation ceremony in Brooklyn Wednesday.
Commissioner Daniel A. Nigro presided over the graduation and spoke of the critical role the new graduates will play in the department’s life-saving mission as well as this year’s 20th anniversary of the merger between New York City’s Emergency Medical Service and the FDNY.
“I cannot imagine where FDNY would be without our outstanding Paramedics and EMTs,” Commissioner Nigro said. “The merger twenty years ago raised the bar for what we do as an agency and helped our Department set the standard for emergency pre-hospital care throughout the country, and around the world.”
Among the new EMTs were 13 graduates of the Captain Vernon Richard FDNY High School for Fire and Life Safety, including the valedictorian of the 2013 class, EMT Pancho Bajana.
“It seems like it was just yesterday that I was in high school telling people that I wanted to work here as an EMT and now that’s my reality,” Bajana said.
“Helping others for a living by working here is a dream come true for me.”
Seven of the graduates served in the United States Armed Forces, including EMT Jenelia Cato.
“I wanted to train with the best, to be a part of the best, and that’s why I joined the FDNY,” Cato said. “I wanted to be a part of the legacy and the tradition.
Coming from the Army, I knew that I wanted to continue to serve the public, and the FDNY was the right choice for me.”
Two new EMTs follow in the footsteps of their loved ones who were killed on 9/11. EMT Sean O’Hora is the cousin of firefighter George Cain and EMT Robert Szendry is the stepson of firefighter Ray York.
#FDNY EMS Academy graduation is under way at @CCCinfoorg in #Brooklyn pic.twitter.com/2oYDWmv91g
— FDNY (@FDNY) July 20, 2016
For many of the new graduates, their new career was a continuation of their family’s service to the city as FDNY members.
“My mom inspires me, and the department itself has been inspirational throughout my life,” EMT Rebecca Fermosa, daughter of a paramedic said. “The FDNY is a true family environment, and I felt like a part of the family even when I was kid. I grew up surrounded by it. And now, I’m excited to officially be a part of the FDNY family. They’ve always had my mom’s back, and now they’ll have mine, too.”
All of the graduates have completed rigorous training programs at the FDNY EMS Academy. The new EMTs spent more than 10 weeks learning FDNY operations and procedures, while the paramedics spent nine months learning all aspects of their new role as ALS providers.
“I enjoyed the schedule and discipline of the Academy, and I felt that the training that I received was amazing,” paramedic Yehuda Sicherman said.
Vea más fotos de la graduación de la Academia EMS del @FDNY en: https://t.co/WQ3kwLz4sw pic.twitter.com/LmCAFb3ryd
— Ciudad de Nueva York (@nycgob) July 20, 2016
“During your time at the academy, your instructors equipped you with knowledge and expertise that will help you save lives,” Department Chief James E. Leonard said. “Now you’ll work alongside experienced, veteran EMTs, paramedics and officers who will continue to teach and guide you. You all have the skills, the equipment and the knowledge, but it’s up to you to get the job done.”