YONKERS – The South Academy at Empress Emergency Medical Services recently held a ceremony for 14 students who graduated after taking a 10-week training to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians.
The new graduates are Jolivette Concepcion, Joseph Guevara, Jaidon Hernandez, James Kavanagh, Jonathan Lavanda, Adalberto Frias Lemo, Maiky Lugo, Irving Maldonado, Anthony Rodriguez, Baronique Russell, Jason Saavedra-Lucero, Jaida Tejeda-Arias, Isabel Vellin and Aldelson Villar.
Empress’s EMS Academy is intense and immersive, held five days a week for 10 weeks, with students developing essential skills to handle emergency situations, operate emergency vehicles and more. Students are paid during the instruction.
“In general, what I really enjoy about teaching is the students — watching them engage with it, watching them get enthusiastic, watching them really develop an idea of what it is to be an EMT and how to do it well and get really excited about it. The classes tend to get pretty close, because it’s a pretty intense course; it goes really fast,” said Alexandra Williams, instructor for the south academy. “And, of course, the absolute best way to learn is in groups, and they work in groups in the class as well. Partnership is very important. As an instructor, it’s just really almost magical to watch the students really enjoy themselves and have some fun learning.”
The Academy coursework prepares students for the New York State exam to become certified as Emergency Medical Technicians. Instruction includes in-class discussions, simulations of emergency situations and practice exercises to develop skills at operating emergency vehicles. In Yonkers, the course is held at Empress’s South station at 722 Nepperhan Ave., with some training exercises held off-site. Students are also required to go on ride-alongs in the field so they can experience the work in actual situations.
Following their certification and graduation, Academy students must work for Empress as full-time EMTs for a year. Those who do not complete this obligation are required to refund Empress for the cost of their tuition.
About the Academy
Founded in 2019, the Empress EMS Academy is an ideal starting point for a career in emergency medical services. Apart from EMT work, Empress also provides opportunities to specialize in logistics, community paramedics, quality improvement, special operations and emergency communications. Many who start out as EMTs also use this experience as a foundation for careers in various other medical professions. The Academy operates two EMS training sites in Poughkeepsie and Yonkers.
Those interested in applying for future Academy sessions can visit www.empressems.com/emt-academy or with questions can reach out through Empress’s website at www.empressems.com/contact-us
About Empress EMS
Since its inception in 1985, Empress has made a firm commitment to emergency medical services and quality after-care transportation with a focus on providing state-of-the-art patient care in a personal and compassionate manner. Its unparalleled reputation in Westchester and the Hudson Valley demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach. Empress provides 911 emergency medical services to the City of Yonkers as well as mutual-aid response to neighboring communities. It also has emergency and non-emergency service contracts throughout Westchester County and the Hudson Valley with many municipalities, hospitals, correctional institutions, and private care. For more information about Empress, visit empressems.com.
About PatientCare EMS Solutions
PatientCare EMS Solutions is a leading provider of ground-based 911 emergency ambulance services and other critical healthcare logistics solutions. With corporate offices in Tyler, TX, and Atlanta, GA, the company operates growing partnerships with representative customers in Florida, Texas, South Dakota, and New York. PatientCare is responsible for transporting more than 400,000 patients annually and is committed to providing compassionate quality care and service built around the needs of the patients and communities in which it serves. For more information about PatientCare, visit the website at patientcareems.com.
