Nineteen new emergency medical technicians took center stage on June 28 as they celebrated the completion of over 200 hours of training in order to become EMTs.

“EMTs provide an invaluable service to our community,” said Ocean County Freeholder Director John P. Kelly, who serves as Director of Law and Public Safety. “People’s lives often depend on the quick action and competent care of emergency medical technicians.”

The graduates had to successfully complete 200 hours of classroom study and rigorous hands-on training in order to complete the EMT basic training requirements at the Ocean County Training Center, here. The students spend numerous hours honing their skills in a local emergency room assisting hospital personnel.

“We are pleased to be able to provide this facility for the students and also the instructors who give their time and talent to training these men and women to be the finest EMTs they can be,” Kelly said. “We receive great cooperation from the hospitals and the Monmouth Ocean (MONOC) Hospital Services Corp. in providing this training.”

Upon completion of the required curriculum, each student must score 70 percent or higher on a 100 question written final examination. Students must also pass a practical skills examination demonstrating that they are mentally and physically prepared for the challenges that lie ahead.

“The EMT program demands focus, dedication and sacrifice,” Kelly said. “The students have worked exceedingly hard to get here and their willingness to give back to their community is evident by their dedication to successfully completing this training.”

Charles E. Livezey, Supervisor Emergency Medical Services Education for MONOC South, told the graduates that completion of this training was the first step in their careers as EMTs.

“The field of Emergency Medical Services is constantly changing,” Livezey said. “We have given you the skills. We encourage you to keep learning.”

Receiving the John G. Glowacki Award for Academic Excellence during the graduation ceremony were Melanie McClellan and also Laura Patterson, of the Barnegat Light Emergency Medical Services.

The graduates are Kimberly Barker, Jennifer Urban, both Pleasant Plains First Aid Squad; Cayla Capito and Luke Vincentini, Lanoka Harbor Emergency Medical Services; Pat Carey, Surf City Fire and EMS; Mikaela Crowley; Thomas Finnegan, Lacey Township Emergency Medical Services; David Hamilton, Toms River Emergency Medical Services; Yehuda Jacob; Phillip Mastoridis, Rowan University Emergency Medical Services; Bryanna Mesimer, Stafford Township Emergency Medical Services; Melanie McClellan; Richard Murphy; Laura Patterson and Kevin Walsh, Barnegat Light Emergency Medical Services; Jeffrey Pharo; Amber Prill, Beachwood Emergency Medical Services; Philip Urban; and Jea-Marie Valerio, Bayville Emergency Medical Services.

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