(Photos by Armando Rodriguez / Miami-Dade County)
Commissioner Barbara Jordan recognized the first graduating class of the revamped Miami-Dade Fire Rescue EMT program at the May 15 Board of County Commissioners meeting.
The EMT program was preceded by the Firefighter Apprenticeship Program, which Jordan spearheaded in 2005 but was discontinued in 2009 due to the economic downturn. In 2015, she sponsored legislation directing the County administration to recreate a similar program that would give high school students the opportunity to become certified as first responders and/or emergency medical technicians (EMTs).
“I created the program to give high school seniors an early start in pursuing careers in fields such as EMT, firefighter, or nurse,” Commissioner Jordan said.
The Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department (MDFR) provides course instruction, mentoring, and the opportunity to take the state test, all at no cost to the students. Students also are given a preference in hiring with MDFR after successfully completing the program.
Fire Chief Dave Downey told the graduates: “I’m extremely proud of what this EMT class has accomplished.”
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