Scholarships to build diversity in Boston EMS' promotional ranks
BOSTON - Friday, February 12, 2021 - Building on a commitment to promote diversity and inclusion among the ranks of Boston Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston EMS Chief James Hooley today announced new paramedic certification scholarships for current EMS members. Coordinated through the United Coalition of EMS Providers (UCEP), a Boston EMS affinity group dedicated to advancing equity, inclusion and diversity at all ranks, and in partnership with both the Mayor's Office of Workforce Development (OWD) and Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC), 16 emergency medical technicians are now beginning their coursework at Bunker Hill Community College to become certified paramedics. This program is designed to expand the diversity of Boston EMS members holding a paramedic certification.
"Boston
is a diverse city, and it's crucial that our public safety services in Boston,
including our paramedics, reflect our neighborhoods, and our values," said
Mayor Walsh. "I'm proud that with this scholarship, we will continue to
support diversity at Boston EMS, and care for all those who call Boston home."
Boston
EMS paramedics staff five frontline ambulances, providing advanced life-saving
care during medical emergencies across the city. Paramedics are state-certified
EMTs who hold an additional certification, expanding their scope of practice to
include complex procedures, such as intubations and starting an IV. Boston EMS
members promoted to the rank of paramedic earn approximately 36 percent more
than an EMT.
"I
am very proud of what UCEP was able to accomplish in just five short months,
securing Mayoral support and funding, as well as coordinating directly with
Bunker Hill Community College; increasing the diversity of our paramedics will
result in a direct benefit inpatient care," said Boston EMS Chief of
Department, Jim Hooley.
The
professional development and advancement of Boston EMS members have been
ongoing department priorities. Boston EMS has worked with multiple paramedic
training programs and colleges to reduce barriers for all interested personnel
to advance their education.
Boston
EMS has maintained a longstanding commitment to hiring candidates that reflect
the racial, ethnic and linguistic diversity of Boston's neighborhoods. While 40
percent of personnel hired in the last three years are women and 36 percent
identify as Asian, Black or African American, Latinx or more than two races,
personnel holding the rank of paramedic just are 6 percent persons of color and
19 percent women. The paramedic certification, which can cost over $10,000 to
secure, can be cost-prohibitive for members, making it difficult to build
diversity at this rank.
"The
Boston EMS members selected for the paramedic UCEP scholarship are 75 percent
women (12 of 16), 37 percent bilingual (6), and 94 percent (15) people of
color. Eligibility for selection included UCEP membership, open to all members
of Boston EMS, and a commitment to promoting equity and inclusion," said
Deputy Lee Alexander, who leads Diversity, Recruitment and Engagement for the
department and is a board member of United Coalition of EMS Providers.
In
the wake of George Floyd's murder and the events of 2020, members of Boston EMS
hosted a listening session for personnel to talk about their own experiences
with racial discrimination in the spring of 2020.
"United
Coalition of EMS Providers was formed from these listening sessions, dedicated
to promoting diversity and inclusion within the City of Boston's municipal
ambulance service," said EMT Roger Hamlet, President and Founder of United
Coalition of EMS Providers.
Under
Mayor Walsh's leadership, the Office of Workforce Development (OWD) worked
closely with UCEP and successfully secured grant funding through Neighborhood
Jobs Trust for financially eligible personnel. UCEP secured an additional
$20,000 contribution from SkillWorks, a nationally recognized workforce
development funders' collaborative co-lead by the Boston Foundation and the
City of Boston's Office of Workforce Development.
"This
is exactly the kind of workforce equity project SkillWorks exists to support.
Not only will the Paramedics benefit from a good job at a good wage, the entire
community benefits from a Paramedic team that understands the true diversity of
cultures here in Boston," said Andre Green, Executive Director of
SkillWorks.
This
work with OWD is an expansion of their ongoing partnership with Boston EMS to
help city residents secure necessary training to meet the EMT hiring
prerequisites through their EMT City Academy program.
"We
are fully committed to the equitable access of education and training for all
Boston residents," said Trinh Nguyen, Director of OWD. "It's not only
a priority value of this city, but it is an amazing investment for our business
and economy."
ABOUT
BOSTON EMS
Boston
EMS is the primary provider of emergency medical services for the City of
Boston and is a nationally recognized leader in the field of pre-hospital
emergency medicine. The department leverages the latest advances in both
medicine and technology to bring high-quality, compassionate care to the people
of Boston. Boston EMS also plays a key role in the City's emergency
preparedness efforts and provides community programming designed to educate the
public about important health and safety topics.
沒有留言:
發佈留言