From the EMS Academy to the EMS Station: Celebrating the FDNY’s first class of 2025 probationary EMTs
February 26, 2025Firefighter Tristen Echols Celebrates 20 Years of the FDNY High School
March 3, 2025Last week, students from Captain Vernon A. Richard High School for Fire and Life Safety, along with FDNY Explorers, participated in the annual Mid-Winter Leadership Academy. The program emphasizes physical fitness, academics, and team building, all designed to prepare for a career in the FDNY.
This year’s Leadership Academy boasted 90 students, the most ever in its history.
High school senior Taylor Stephens says the MWLA is a great way to prepare for a career in the medical field. “I wanted to learn more medical terminology and get a feel for what I would have to do to achieve my goals.” Stephens says after graduation she hopes to enter the Summer EMS Academy(SEMSA) to obtain her EMT certification and attend college to pursue a career in anesthesiology.
Adam Dilloo is an FDNY Explorer and has attended the Leadership Academy for the past two years. “My favorite part is the physical exercises. The instructors keep me on track to better myself, physically and mentally. My goal is to become an EMT and eventually a Firefighter one day.”
High school Senior Ian Harris has taken part in MWLA for three years and says he gets great satisfaction in seeing his personal growth. “I get more disciplined each time and more leadership skills. It’s been really great seeing my progress over time because I become more mature every time. I’m grateful to Assistant Commissioner Maglione and all the instructors as a whole, because they’re always here to have fun with us and be strict when they need to be.”
“Students who enter the Mid-Winter Leadership Academy are spending part of their winter break to better themselves, overcome challenges, and stay motivated to achieve their goals,” said Michele J. Maglione, Assistant Commissioner of Youth Workforce Development. “The students are eager to learn as much as they can about careers in the FDNY and MWLA is a great avenue to get them excited about their futures and keep them motivated.”
Click here to learn more about FDNY Youth programs.