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New York Post
FDNY graduates fresh fleet of EMTs, some with proud first responder lineage: ‘It feels amazing’
By Desheania Andrews, Steve Janoski,
2 days ago
Scores of first responders joined the FDNY’s ranks Tuesday as its academy graduated a fresh fleet of EMTs — including some who hail from long lines of proud civil servants.
Javon Fabien, who walked in the morning ceremony at Christian Cultural Center in Brooklyn alongside 86 other graduates, is one such generational member — his EMT mom, Diana Wilson, was pregnant with him while she was in the academy herself, she told The Post.
“I actually found out that I was pregnant exiting the academy,” said Wilson, who is now an instructor. “And here we are, 20 years later, he’s getting his certificate, and now he’s hitting the streets, and he’s serving the community of South Jamaica, Queens.”
“I am overwhelmed with emotions right now,” she continued. “I’m so happy for him — I’m very, very proud … I expect many things from him.”
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I feel like a culmination of a bunch of hard work over a lot of years is finally in fruition, and we’re here now. It’s over.”
His goal in the fire service? To make his own way.
“I’m trying to move up and really make a mark for myself,” he said.
The probationary EMTs — including three veterans — trained for 18 weeks at the academy, where they learned such things as CPR; patient medical and trauma assessments; oxygen and ventilation skills; management of hypotension and fractures; spinal immobilization and emergency childbirth, and emergency vehicle operation, according to a city press release.
Richard Corcoran IV — a fourth-generation academy grad — walked in the ceremony as his firefighter dad and grandpa looked on.
“Of course [it’s big shoes to fill],” the 26-year-old said of the journey he is embarking on, given his family history. “Anywhere I go, they’re like, ‘Oh you’re a Corcoran.’ So everybody knows everybody.”
“For EMS, I want to become a paramedic at some point, maybe a rescue medic. Probably spend about five years in. But I’d really love to go to fire,” he said.
His proud grandfather, 84-year-old Richard Corcoran II, quipped that he’s very fortunate because he was able to “intimidate all my children to take the test.
“It’s a beautiful, beautiful job when you are helping people,” he said. “You’re doing a service. You’re setting a career for your life.
“You can’t ask for a better working condition than a fireman,” he continued.
“It’s actually two living families. I have had supper — probably more supper at the firehouse than I had home. And if you know anybody wants to do it, take the time. It’s wonderful.”
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