May 12th, 2025
Applicants can enroll at monroecc.edu
Spanish Language Version (PDF)
In celebration of the upcoming EMS Week, Monroe County Executive Adam Bello today joined Congressman Joe Morelle, County Legislators, Monroe Community College officials, and EMS leaders to announce that applications are open for the new, fully funded training program aimed at developing the next generation of Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and Paramedics in Monroe County.
Funded by $4.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars, the initiative—led by Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance in partnership with Monroe Community College, American Medical Response and Monroe Ambulance—removes financial and logistical barriers for individuals interested in pursuing a career in emergency medical services.
“This investment doesn’t just fill jobs – it saves lives,” said County Executive Bello. “By eliminating financial burdens and providing comprehensive support services, we are creating new pathways for residents—especially those from underserved communities—to enter a critically important field and strengthen our county’s Public Safety.”
“This $4.2 million in federal investment I helped secure will go a long way to strengthen public safety, expand career opportunities, and ensure our community is prepared for moments of crisis,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “I’m grateful to County Executive Adam Bello for his leadership and proud to stand with him in building a safer, stronger Rochester.”
“When I steered the American Rescue Plan through Congress, I fought to ensure Upstate communities could tap into these dollars for their most pressing local needs,” said U.S. Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer. “And nothing is more vital than certainty when you dial 911, an ambulance arrives with highly-trained professionals. This $4.2 million defrays tuition costs, transforms aspirations into lifesaving careers, and builds a steady pipeline of EMTs and paramedics to protect every neighborhood in Monroe County – day or night, rain or shine. I applaud County Executive Bello, Monroe Community College, and Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance for seeing the need, stepping up, and flinging the doors of this essential profession wide open.”
“After two years of planning, it’s encouraging to see this program come to fruition,” said Legislature President Yversha Román. “Launching this free training program is a meaningful step towards addressing the EMS staffing shortage and expanding opportunities for residents to enter a vital profession. I urge those interested to take advantage of this resource and help strengthen emergency care across Monroe County. Thank you to Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance, MCC, AMR, Monroe Ambulance and other partners for their efforts in putting this program together.”
"It’s truly rewarding to see this EMS training program officially launch after we took action in 2023 to approve $4.2 million in ARPA funding to make it a reality," said Republican Leader Steve Brew. "For too long, our emergency response system has been stretched thin—this initiative delivers real relief by expanding our workforce, removing barriers to entry, and providing qualified first responders where they’re needed most. It’s a smart, community-focused investment that demonstrates our commitment to public safety and common-sense results."
The program actively recruits candidates throughout Monroe County, including diverse and historically underrepresented communities, providing them with extensive training at Monroe Community College. The ARPA funding covers costs including tuition, books, supplies, and certification fees, as well as wraparound services such as paid training time, transportation, child care, and academic support.
“We are extremely grateful to all of our partners in securing this funding to provide training for a critical need,” said Monroe Community College President Dr. DeAnna R. Burt-Nanna. “When you or someone you care about is having a medical crisis, you want the best of the best to be there and respond to your needs. MCC takes pride in providing extraordinary training to ensure everyone in our community receives the best care possible.”
Graduates of the program will be certified to begin working with an EMS agency, directly contributing to the region’s efforts to address the ongoing shortage of emergency medical personnel.
“Our initiative helps our local communities to address a growing EMS workforce deficit.” said Jonathan Smith, Chief of Pittsford Volunteer Ambulance. “We are using this investment to leverage local partnerships and remove barriers to EMS service, creating a cost-effective path for Monroe County residents to begin a career as an EMT, or advance their EMS career to become a Paramedic. We’re grateful for the support of our County, State and Federal leaders, and our local EMS partners, in making this impactful program a reality.”
MCC will begin EMT and Paramedic classes with the Fall 2025 semester. Applications are now open for the next cohort of EMT students. The deadline for the 2025 semester is June 1. To learn more and apply, visit: https://www.monroecc.edu/depts/pstc/ems/emergency-medical-technician/.
