94 New Grads
EMS Doubling Up On Medic Training

By GINGER ADAMS OTIS

The Fire Department made history March 15 by simultaneously graduating 94 new Emergency Medical Service workers and starting its first-ever double-session Paramedic training class for 130 existing EMS members.

PATRICK J. BAHNKEN: 'A great undertaking.'

The department's ramped-up response to the need for more front-line Paramedics was lauded by labor leaders and FDNY top brass.

EMS Leaders Elated

"I'm thrilled; it's absolutely fabulous. It's the greatest undertaking anywhere to train this many Paramedics at one time," said Patrick Bahnken, president of District Council 37 Local 2507, which represents Emergency Medical Technicians and Paramedics.

He added that it was a "wonderful educational and promotional opportunity" for his members, as well as a chance for the EMS training staff to demonstrate its skill.

John J. Peruggia, Chief of EMS Command, added, "I don't think anyone, anywhere, has done anything this size. It's really fantastic."

The 130 EMTs, including 10 officers, will spend the next nine months attending either morning or evening classes administered by EMS instructors. The training is rigorous and the learning curve steep; Paramedics are required to perform cardiac arrest care and other life-saving techniques on par with what's required from emergency room doctors.

JOHN J. PERUGGIA: Thrilled by increase.

The FDNY currently has about 600 Paramedics and an additional 200 to 250 Paramedic officers.

EMS Officers' Local 3621 head Thomas Eppinger hoped the FDNY would continue doubling classes. He said his union was bargaining with the city for a salary hike for officers with medical certification. Currently EMS Lieutenant Paramedics earn about $1,800 more than rank-and-file medics. In contrast, Fire Lieutenants earn 30 percent more than Firefighters.

War Vets Among Grads

At last week's graduation ceremony, Fire Commissioner Nicholas Scoppetta welcomed 78 EMTs and 16 newly-minted Paramedics into the FDNY, among them three Army veterans who served in Iraq and one veteran of the U.S. Coast Guard. Nine of the members have relatives currently serving with the FDNY, the Commissioner said.

The Paramedics who graduated last week were Carene Brown, Michael Cumberbatch, Christopher D'Auria, Jacob Dutton, Steven Hornbrook, Richard Smith, Ilan Wunsch, Benjamin Briu, Michael Cawthon, Henry Cedeno, Glenn Kolyer, David Kruysman, Nicholas Molinaro, Bernard Pogrebinsky, Joseph Wiley and Andrey Yuabov.

The EMT graduates were Joseph Albo, David Anchundia, Guillermo Andrade, Alisha Anglin, Yvonne Aparicio, Steven Aumoithe, Felicia Bangura, Jean-Mary Baptiste, Richard Berroa, Sharlene Bisram, Nadra Blelis, Adolfo Bonafoux, Marc Bonometre, Darryl Bostick, Corrielle Caldwell, Joy Canter, Ramon Chancay, Brent Charles, Michael Clark, Yeny Cruz;

Kerry David, Keenan Derry, Joseph Dobkin, Dwight Ferguson, Christopher Flemens, Ricardo Francis, Kathyann Francis, Crystal French, Seth Greene, Lisa Griffith, Elizabeth Handley, Tameka Harris, Rudolph Hunter, James Hyams, Christopher Jacobs, Estarlin Jimenez, Jennifer Jones, Marie Jouthe, Alexander Khalef, Monique Lacroze;

Dashiell Lehrman, Christopher Lepanto, Anthony Lyman, Patrick MacLennan, Robert Martell, Francisco Martinez, Freddy Medina, Raul Mercado, Alexandru Mihailescu, Melonie George, Moses Nelson, Robert Nelson, Matthew Nolan, Makesi Oliver, Eric Orth, Julio Padilla, Gregory Partch, Jr., David Peak, Asya Pendergrass, Rezaur Rahman, Ramses Rivas, Lissette Rivera;

Jenelle Rivera, Jonathan Rivera, Keegan Romer, Joseph Roschbach, Joseph Schafer, Tyrone Scott, Glenn Steinle, Kevin Steinle, Evan Suchecki, Eric Swailes, Heidi Umpierre, Gerardo Urena, Corron J. Williams, Trevon Wiltshire, Eric Witthohn and Yusuke Yonehara.