Rochester

Saturday is the last day of National EMS Week. But thanks to a program in Perinton, it's about to be the beginning of some new careers in the industry for some high school graduates.

The students are getting some hands-on experience that could lead them to a job right after graduation.

"The course is designed to help high school students that have an interest in emergency services, specifically to be emergency medical technicians and firefighters potentially," said Critical Care Nationally Registered Paramedic Sean O’Donnell.

O’Donnell is the instructor of the Emergency Services course held at Perinton Ambulance, part of the BOCES Eastern Monroe Career Center.

"Students are afforded the opportunity to actually earn their EMT certification so they are prepared for a career as an EMT when they leave high school," he said.

"Definitely, I like it way better than all of my high school classes. It's definitely my favorite, it's more engaging. It's not just sitting on a desk all day doing paperwork," said 17-year-old Spirit Hoffere, one of the students about to complete the two-year course.

Hoffere says it's the hands-on training that makes the difference.

"So we’re doing CPR with an infant, we’re also doing BVM with an apneic patient. There's also splinting and traction and stuff like immobilization," she said.

"We aim to meet all students' post-secondary goals but we also want to make sure we fill the need of EMS, meaning that they are interested and they actually want to work, they enjoy their work, even if it's just a stepping stone to other careers. But really filling that need in EMS from EMT and potentially going on to being a paramedic," said O'Donnell.

From filling a need in the emergency services industry to getting a jump on their careers to helping people - this is proving to be a successful report card for these students and this course.

"I’m really glad I got that opportunity," said Hoffere.

"It really is a rewarding thing," said O'Donnell.