New York State Department of Health Division of State Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and New York National Guard Create Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Training Initiative for National Guard Service Members

Approximately 150 of the National Guard Participants Successfully Obtained EMT Certification as of May 2025

Program Involved Intensive, Full-Time Classes Covering Essential EMT Skills and Clinical Simulations

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 21, 2025) – The New York State Department of Health announced today during Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week an innovative training initiative to support the National Guard's missions, increase certified EMS providers in New York Communities and create essential career Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) training pathways for New York National Guard service members. This targeted training initiative underscores the ongoing partnership with the Department's Division of State EMS and the New York National guard. The training initiative – which began in January 2025 and concluded in February 2025 – aimed to certify service members as EMTs in an academy-style learning environment, further expanding New York's EMS workforce.

"The impact of this innovative training program goes beyond strengthening the EMS workforce," State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "It is also about creating a bridge for these service members as they transition from military service to civilian roles, utilizing the skills and discipline they've gained to serve their communities. We are thankful to the National Guard and the many instructors and training partners whose dedication has made this mission possible."

The training program, which followed the successful academy-style model used during the COVID-19 pandemic, involved intensive, full-time classes conducted at multiple locations in the New York City metropolitan area. Classes ran Monday through Friday, eight hours a day, over a 6-week period, covering essential EMT skills and clinical simulations. Of the 160 participants, approximately 150 successfully obtained EMT certification as of May 2025, making them immediately eligible function as EMT in New York State and seek employment with EMS agencies across the region.

Ryan Greenberg, Director of the Division of State EMS said, "EMS Week is a time to honor the dedication of EMS providers who serve our communities every day. This initiative not only equips service members with critical life-saving skills that may be used in their roles as National Guard members, but also provides them with valuable career pathways in the EMS field. With many EMS agencies actively hiring in New York City, these newly certified EMTs are well-positioned to join the workforce and address ongoing staffing demands when not on active duty with the National Guard."

To further assist with career transitions, the Division of State EMS partnered with Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) EMS, SeniorCare EMS, and other EMS agencies to provide site visits, agency tours and hands-on training experiences. Service members were introduced to career pathways within EMS, including field operations, dispatch, ambulance driving simulation equipment, paramedic advancement and specialized EMS units.

"We are immensely grateful to our partners for their commitment to this initiative. Their willingness to host our trainees, provide guidance, and share career opportunities has been instrumental in making this program a success," Director Greenberg said.

Brigadier General Isabel Smith, Director of Joint Staff for the New York National Guard said, "During the COVID-19 pandemic, the New York National Guard worked with the Department of Health to certify over 320 service members as EMTs. These Soldiers and Airmen worked in nursing homes and designated facilities during the pandemic. More recently, DOH certified 150 New York National Service Members as new EMTs. During the Department of Correction officer strikes in February of this year-- when over 8,000 National Guard service members were called to support that mission—many of these new EMTs assisted the Department of Correctional and Community Services in providing medical support in the facilities. This collaboration has already paid, and will continue to pay, big dividends for the state."

As National EMS Week emphasizes the vital role of EMS providers, this initiative highlights the continued efforts to strengthen the EMS workforce in New York and provide meaningful career opportunities for those who have served our state and nation.

More information about EMT training programs and career opportunities in New York State can be found here.