WEST FALLS, N.Y. — At only 17, West Falls Junior Firefighter and EMT Clara Stucker has become an advocate for self-defense training for EMTs.
As part of her Seal of Civic Readiness project — an official acknowledgment that a student has demonstrated advanced proficiency in civic knowledge, skills, mindset and engagement through meaningful civic experiences — she is developing an initiative aimed at improving the safety and preparedness of emergency personnel, WKBW reported.
“It’s a volatile field; you don’t know what you’re going to encounter, and without proper training, it not only endangers the first responders, but also the patient,” Stucker said. “Without basic self-defense skills, we may have to rely on excessive or lethal force.”
West Falls Fire Company Chief Mark Wohlfeil expressed strong support for Stucker’s initiative, noting that incidents of assaults on emergency service providers are occurring across the state, including in urban and rural departments. He commended Stucker’s leadership and dedication, highlighting the importance of initiatives that prioritize the safety and well-being of first responders.
Stucker’s efforts are just beginning. In May, she will travel to Albany to present her proposed legislation to state lawmakers, with the goal of securing support for a bill that would enhance the preparedness of first responders in confronting the challenges they encounter in the line of duty.
