Mayor Wu and Boston EMS Celebrate New EMT Graduates

Today, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu along with Boston Public Health Commission Executive Director Dr. Bisola Ojikutu and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Chief James Hooley celebrated the graduation of 30 Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) recruits. The largest graduating class in over a decade, the EMTs will be assigned to 911 ambulances and dispatch operations, strengthening the City of Boston's Emergency Medical Services. Recruits reside in nine different neighborhoods across the city, many of which are lifelong residents of the City of Boston. 

“Our EMTs answer the call and keep Boston residents safe day and night, not only providing life-saving medical assistance to those in need, but doing so with compassion and care,” said Mayor Michelle Wu. “I am proud to welcome the newest EMT graduates to Boston EMS.” 

During the 12-week field component of their training, the recruits worked in pairs with an experienced EMT, serving as their field training officer, mentoring and guiding them through the patient encounters. During this time, the recruits responded to nearly 4,000 incidents, including 60 different incident types and 3,276 patients transported.

This graduating class has endured and overcome completing an academy while serving on the frontlines of the City’s response to the COVID-19 global pandemic. Boston EMS EMTs and paramedics have provided care to over 8,000 COVID-19 positive patients to date.  

“These recruits have already proven themselves worthy to wear the badge. Today’s graduates are a much-needed boost for the department. We welcome them to a long and healthy career at Boston EMS,” remarked Chief of Department, Jim Hooley.  

During the ceremony at Faneuil Hall, 30 recruits were formally recognized for successful completion of a rigorous post-hire training academy for EMTs. Already state certified EMTs prior to their hire, the graduating class completed an additional six months of didactic and field training. With support from experienced EMT field training officers, recruits are prepared to care for patients, regardless of the circumstances, and now understand the level of care, clinical excellence and professionalism expected of Boston EMS EMTs. 

“Boston EMS serves on the frontlines of public health, health care and public safety. They are providers, advocates, educators within our communities, and they help build a safer, healthier Boston,” said Dr. Bisola Ojikutu, Commissioner of Public Health and Executive Director of the Boston Public Health Commission. “I thank this graduating class for taking up the call to serve the City of Boston and welcome them to Boston EMS.” 

Boston EMS is one of the busiest municipal EMS providers in New England, responding to more than 125,000 emergency medical incidents per year. As a bureau of the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Boston EMS is committed to serving Boston's residents through clinical excellence, emergency planning and preparedness, and community outreach. 

ABOUT BOSTON EMS 

Boston EMS is the primary provider of emergency medical services for the City of Boston and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of pre-hospital emergency medicine. The department leverages the latest advances in both medicine and technology to bring high-quality, compassionate care to the people of Boston. Boston EMS also plays a key role in the City's emergency preparedness efforts and provides community programming designed to educate the public about important health and safety topics. 

ABOUT THE BOSTON PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION 

The Boston Public Health Commission, one of the country's oldest health departments, is an independent public agency providing a wide range of health services and programs. It is governed by a seven-member board of health appointed by the Mayor of Boston. Public service and access to quality health care are the cornerstones of our mission - to protect, preserve and promote the health and well-being of all Boston residents, particularly those who are most vulnerable. The Commission's more than 40 programs are grouped into six bureaus: Emergency Medical Services; Child Adolescent & Family Health; Community Health Initiatives; Homeless Services; Infectious Disease; and Recovery Services.