Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps Offers EMT Certification Course

Patch file photo.

Beginning in January, the Scarsdale Volunteer Ambulance Corps (SVAC) will offer a five-month Emergency Medical Technician certification course at its Weaver Street headquarters, according to organizers.

The course encompasses 138 hours of instruction over five months following the State curriculum. No prior medical knowledge is necessary, and students will learn everything from trauma and medical emergency fundamentals to the pathophysiology of diseases. After passing the State exam, an EMT receives a three-year certification and can oversee patient care.

First responders aren’t the only one who take the class, according to SVAC President David Raizen.

“We also see people who are starting a career in the sciences or those who simply want to feel comfortable helping a loved one during an emergency,” he said in a statement. “Showing competency in a medical emergency is great for any resume, regardless of profession.”

Last month, SVAC was approved by the New York State Department of Health as an EMS training center. It is one of only five certified training centers in Westchester County.

“This is an incredible honor and opportunity for the ambulance corps,” Raizen added. “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.”

From a press release about the course:

This January’s class is not the first EMT class to be held at SVAC. Previous classes were run by other training centers but hosted in Scarsdale. While these classes were at capacity, it became unpredictable to rely on other training centers, many of which refused to offer courses outside of their own facility.

“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,” said Raizen. “As an organization, we receive no direct taxpayer support and instead rely on donations, insurance fees, and volunteers. Having a permanent home in Scarsdale for EMS training ensures we can maintain a pool of qualified volunteers to help our community and neighbors.”

SVAC responds to 1,600 calls annually 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.

While the majority of SVAC’s volunteers are EMTs, it isn’t a requirement for joining. “A lot of our members joined SVAC with no medical background at all,” said Raizen. “We give them initial training so they can assist our paramedics and EMTs. Once they feel the tremendous gratification from helping others, they typically progress to an EMT.” SVAC reimburses its volunteers for taking the EMT class once they successfully pass the State exam.

In addition to offering original EMT certifications, SVAC also provides continuing medical education for existing EMTs to re-certify, and trains more than a hundred people annually in hands-only CPR.

For more information on education opportunities at SVAC, or to become a member, email info@scarsdalevac.com, or visit www.scarsdalevac.com.