78 EMTs Graduate from Academy
After nearly nine weeks of training, it was time for 78 EMTs to celebrate as they graduated from the Academy and became part of the FDNY family on June 17.
“To be an Emergency Medical Technician means that you will be on the front lines of the city’s emergency medical care,” Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta said during the ceremony at the Fire Academy on Randalls Island. “You will be out in all weather, day and night, helping people who are sick and in need. It is a hard job, but it is a rewarding job.”
The class included several graduates who are following in a relative’s footsteps by joining the FDNY, including EMTs Robert Fredette (father and brother), John Cane (father), Thomas Cahill (brother), Thomas Leonard (father), James McCabe (uncle) and Brian Prior (uncle).
And not only was EMT Leonard celebrating his graduation, but he also was marking his first rescue. On June 15, his first tour, he helped save the life of a man in cardiac arrest.
“This isn’t an easy job, but it’s a rewarding one,” said Chief of Department Salvatore Cassano. “You will have a chance to make a difference every day.”
The graduates also included four military veterans – EMTs Louis Devino, Al Infante, Franklin Trabucco and Chung Hing Sham. And EMTs Trabucco and Sham both served a tour of duty in Iraq.
And both EMT Devino and EMT Phillip Chun shared the honor of class valedictorian.
“Although work conditions are tremendously stressful and the hours are long and irregular, we rely on your ability to be physically and emotionally strong enough to do the back breaking, often dangerous work because someone’s life is on the line,” said Chief of EMS John Peruggia.
FDNY EMS recorded the three busiest days for June on record, and the first five months of 2008 the Command surpassed last year’s EMS call volume by more than 9,800 assignments.
Learn more about how to become an FDNY EMT.
The graduates included:
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