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The 138-hour course, to be given at the corps’ Weaver Street headquarters, follows the state curriculum.
Students do not need to have prior medical knowledge, the corps said.
Students will be taught everything from trauma and medical emergency fundamentals to the pathophysiology of diseases.
After passing the state exam, emergency medical technicians receives three-year certifications and can oversee patient care.
In November, the corps was approved by the state Department of Health as an EMS training center. It is one of only five such centers in Westchester.
“This is an incredible honor and opportunity for the ambulance corps,” said corps president David Raizen. “The state rarely approves new training centers and has a very strict approval process. This has been many years in the making and a major milestone for SVAC.”
January’s class is not the first EMT class in Scarsdale, he said.
Previous classes were operated by other training centers but hosted in Scarsdale.
While these classes were at capacity, it became harder to rely on other training centers, many of which refused to offer courses outside of their own facility, Raizen said.
“There is definitely a demand in our geographic area for high quality EMS training, and being our own training center allows us to capitalize on this need,” he said.
The corps receives no direct taxpayer support, but has to rely on donations, insurance fees and volunteers, Raizen said.
“Having a permanent home in Scarsdale for EMS training ensures we can maintain a pool of qualified volunteers to help our community and neighbors,” he said.
The corps responds to 1,600 calls each year in both the Village of Scarsdale and neighboring towns, including New Rochelle, Eastchester and Hartsdale.
Its three ambulances are staffed by a combination of paid paramedics and volunteers.
For more information on education opportunities, or to become a member, e-mail info@scarsdalevac.com, or click here.
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