AUSTIN, Texas — Eighteen Austin-Travis County EMS cadets are now ready to serve our city.
Fifteen field medics and three communications medics graduated on Friday afternoon.
The entire graduating class started their day early with the department's traditional run around Lady Bird Lake. They had a swearing-in ceremony at the state Capitol.
Austin-Travis County EMS Chief Robert Luckritz said these cadets are now part of a nationally recognized organization.
"There is no question when you go across this country and you talk to EMS leaders, if you ask them the No. 1 EMS agency in the country, the vast majority, the vast majority will not even blink an eye. And they will say, ‘If you want to see the best teams in the country, system in the country, go to Austin, Texas, because they do it right,’" said Luckritz.
Cadets had to go through a 10-week paid training academy before graduating.
The ceremony was the last cadet graduation for ATCEMS Assistant Chief Michael Wright, who is set to retire at the end of the month after 26 years and four months of service. Wright, who is also a pastor, traditionally gives the invocation at cadet graduations. On Friday, he delivered farewell remarks.
"Academy graduation is a huge milestone for our cadets. It marks the completion of the first major step as they embark on their careers caring for our community," said ATCEMS Assistant Chief Heather Phillips. “We’re so excited to have the ability for our cadet’s families and friends to participate in this important occasion It truly is a special day for everyone.”