New Hyde Park is currently witnessing an expansion of the fire department’s Rescue Squad. The squad was opened this year to further coordinate the activities of emergency medical services. This year saw an increase in volunteerism in the local community with the emergency medical technician certifications of three seniors: Kailey Chan, Victoria Guerrero and Rachel Jacob.
Victoria Guerrero began her EMT training classes in January this year. She took the course through the Vocational Education and Extension Board EMS at the New Hyde Park Fire Department. Classes were held biweekly and included both didactic and lab content of patient assessment, basic life support treatments, pharmacology, anatomy and emergency medical interventions. The course encompassed four major written exams, a written final, observed rotations and a practical.
After finishing the classes this July and passing the state licensure examination, Victoria received her EMT certification, meaning she is officially recognized by New York State as a practicing EMT. She is often at the fire department, putting her skills to use to help out in local emergencies and volunteering at community events, such as NHP’s football games.
“I think it’s a very unique experience, especially for someone of my age, to be certified at 17,” EMT Victoria Guerrero said. “I’ve gotten to experience so many different situations and meet new people who have helped me grow as a person, and I’ve been able to grow closer to my community as well.”
Kailey Chan and Rachel Jacob began their courses in June 2024 at Northwell Health. This course entailed biweekly classes, including the same didactic and lab content of the VEEBS EMS course. However, instead of rotations being held at the local fire department, the EMTs-in-training underwent rotations in Northwell Health stations at Queens, aiding in city emergencies.
“Honestly, the rotations were definitely different from the ones offered at New Hyde Park,” EMT student Rachel Jacob said. “There are a lot more interesting cases in the city, especially given its size. However, I am glad I got the experiences I did while doing them, and I hope I can use what I learned there to help out NHP a bit more.”
As of now, these students remain on the path to becoming EMTs. Kailey finished the course in November, and Rachel will take her practical exam in January. They both plan to get their state licenses shortly. The students report feeling excited yet apprehensive about taking the state-level exam. They are not only excited about helping out the community but also at the prospect of joining Northwell Health’s EMS services in the city.
“I think being an EMT is a great way to connect with the local community,” EMT student Kailey Chan said. “I’m excited to get my certification and get experience at our fire department as soon as possible.
I’m motivated by the cool things we get to do as a first responder, and I hope to continue doing this in college.”
Driven by a desire to contribute to their local community, these three seniors dedicated their time and effort to earning certifications. Although the process was lengthy, the opportunity to make a greater impact inspired them to persevere.
“I just feel good about making someone’s day a little better when they’re going through a stressful time in their lives,” Guerrero said.
Partaking in this extensive course required hard work and discipline. As a result of this course, the New Hyde Park community has gained extra volunteers who will help support and assist with emergencies. This increased pool of trained volunteers enhances the community’s ability to respond effectively to emergencies, providing essential assistance and contributing to the overall safety and well-being of residents.
To join this pool of volunteers, contact the NHP Fire Department at (516) 742-3300 to express interest in joining the Rescue Squad.
