04/18/2020
"We know that our city needs us right now. Paramedic training was very intense, and our instructors were there making sure everything that we needed was available to us. They stayed late hours to help us, and training in this program was an amazing experience. We all learned everything and passed all of our exams, and now we're ready to get out there and help the city. I'm ready to put my medic skills to good use, and do what I can to help our patients," says Paramedic Stephanie Cruz, who is one of 62 FDNY Paramedics graduating early from the FDNY EMS Academy in order to join her fellow EMS members on the front lines in the city's response against COVID-19. These Paramedics will enter the field without a traditional graduation ceremony, and are joining the Department at an unprecedented time, as first responders serve their city, day and night, throughout the pandemic.