They’ve learned how to respond to 911 calls for medical assistance, how to take a pulse, blood pressure, how to assess a patient’s condition, provide first aid or life support care to sick or injured patients, and a lot more.

And on June 2, 17 newly minted emergency medical technicians graduated from a 16-week program offered by York County Community College and held at York County Regional Training Center in Alfred. The EMT course began in early January, with four hours of classroom work and eight hours of hands-on training in the lab each week, and the graduates are now eligible to take the National Registry of EMTs certification exam.

The graduates come from all walks of life and experiences.

“I decided to take the next step,” said Caitie Allman, of Cornish, who has worked for the past four years as a driver at Sacopee Rescue, a nonprofit that responds to more than 1,000 emergency calls annually in Cornish, Hiram, Porter, and Parsonsfield in northern York County. “I love it.”

Emergency medical training is a new career path for Kathy Bipart, of Kittery, who has worked in graphics for more than 25 years. Then, she said, she started hiking and became a steward of a local trail and would assist search and rescue teams if incidents unfolded there.

“It’s awesome,” she said of the program. Currently a volunteer at York Village Fire Station, Bipart plans to shadow a paramedic and continue her education. “This was the first time I really enjoyed studying.”

Jemario Smith, of North Berwick, is enrolled in the health sciences program at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, and decided to take the EMT course as well, which will earn him credit toward his goal: “I want to be a physician assistant,” he said.

“I’m proud to be here,” said student Laura Calhoun, director of the Wood Island Life Saving Station Museum on an island off Kittery, open Memorial Day through early October. She took the course to be able to render aid should a medical incident take place. Calhoun also expressed thanks to the Harold Alfond Center for the Advancement of Maine’s Workforce for funding the program. “I couldn’t have done this without (it),” she said.

Graduate Keegan Johnston is a part-time firefighter at Goodwin’s Mills Fire-Rescue. Bill Gifford is a firefighter-operator at Limerick Fire Department and first became an EMT 26 years ago. His license expired in 2021, he said, and a colleague suggested he take the course again. “There’s been a lot of changes,” he said.

The graduates are entering a field where there are jobs available across the country. Overall employment of EMTs and paramedics is projected to grow 5% through 2034, according to the U.S. Department of Labor Standards. About 19,000 openings for EMTs and paramedics are projected each year, on average, over the decade, the bureau noted. Many of the openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or retire.

On graduation night, the lecture hall was overflowing with family members. After, there was time for cake and ice cream, and photos.

“You put in a lot of hard work to get here,” York County Community College Dean of Students Chris Burbank told students, pointing out they are the first to study and graduate in the new training facility. “We know the blood, sweat and tears you went through.”

Burbank said the college is incredibly proud of the work students put in.

“I truly love to see the spark in people entering this industry,” said Paul D. Froman, EMS department chair at Southern Maine Community College.

“The world is open to you,” said instructor Kevin Bachi.

“You have a set of skills most people don’t have,” training center Director Roger Hooper told the graduates. “At the beginning of your program, I mentioned making your community better. Go do that.”

Tammy Wells is media specialist for York County Government.