News from the Somerset County Board of Chosen Freeholders

Public Information Contacts: Linda Van Zandt / Joanne Vuoso / Lisa Krueger

908.231.7020 publicinfo@co.somerset.nj.us

June 23, 2009

Freeholders Laud First EMT Class Graduates

BRIDGEWATER - The Somerset County Board of Freeholders, in partnership with the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School, Raritan Valley Community College, Somerset Medical Center and the Somerset County EMS Chief Officers Association, announces that the first high-school Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) class was recently recognized at a graduation ceremony and reception.

Twelve students graduated after completing the four-month after-school and Saturday EMT certificate program, which was offered to students of the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School in the 2009 spring semester.

Certificates were presented to Maria Bender of Hillsborough, Queena Bergen, Stephanie Marton and Brandon Rogers of Somerset (Franklin Township), Macauley Breault of Basking Ridge, Adam Fulmore of Bound Brook, Andrea Hernandez and Samantha Knight of North Plainfield, Jack Mazellan and James Zvirbulis of Branchburg, Anna Isachenko of Manville and Ryan Lucas of Gladstone.

The EMT certificate qualifies students to take the New Jersey EMT exam and join a local rescue squad. It also enables students to earn college credits, which are transferable to Raritan Valley Community College in relevant programs.

Starting with the September 2009 class, students from both the Vocational & Technical High School and other high schools in Somerset County will be eligible to apply for the program. To date, 12 students from Bound Brook High School have applied for early admission.

“Community-based rescue squads are emergency medical organizations that keep our communities safe; they are also social organizations that keep our communities strong,” said Freeholder Deputy Director Jack M. Ciattarelli. “With that in mind, we are thankful to all the partners who’ve made this first high-school EMT graduation possible, including our county Vocational & Technical High School, Somerset Medical Center, Raritan Valley Community College, the Somerset County EMS Chief Officers Association, and, of course, the taxpayers of Somerset County.

“We congratulate the graduates on the successful completion of their training and we are most grateful for their participation, dedication and commitment to the Somerset County community,” he said.

"We are proud of these graduates who, with the knowledge they have gained in the EMT program, will provide an invaluable service for the citizens of Somerset County in a tireless and selfless manner," said Michael Maddaluna, Somerset County Vocational &Technical Schools superintendent.

“Somerset Medical Center is committed to advancing emergency care in Somerset County and throughout the Central New Jersey region,” said Ken Bateman, president and chief executive officer of Somerset Medical Center. “We are proud to partner in this endeavor to help high school students pursue rewarding careers as emergency medical technicians. Ultimately, we hope that this initiative will create an increased pool of volunteers to support our local rescue squads, which are such a vital part of our region’s emergency response system.”

“Our EMS team is extremely community focused,” said Kathy Price, director of Somerset Medical Center’s EMS Department. “We want to do whatever we can to support our local rescue squads and at the same time make a difference in the lives of youth throughout the county.”

“Emergency Medical Services leaders are constantly challenged with developing new and unique programs to recruit and train future EMS providers. This program will serve as a valuable recruitment tool for our local rescue squads,” said Michael Stitley of the Somerset County EMS Chief Officers Association.

For further information about the EMT high school certificate program, contact Michael Herrera of the Somerset County Vocational & Technical High School at 908-526-8900 ext. 7218 or mherrera@scvts.net.