The Sacramento Fire Department (SFD) recently marked a significant milestone with the graduation of its first Emergency Medical Service (EMS) Academy — a major step in modernizing emergency response and opening new career paths.
The newly-created EMS Academy trains attendees for a role focused solely on medical response — no firefighting required. In the past, EMTs and paramedics had to complete the fire academy and serve in both roles. Now, they can join the department specifically as EMS professionals.
The EMS Academy spanned six weeks and was led by a team of dedicated instructors. The graduating class included 22 members — 12 Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) and 10 paramedics.
Fire Chief Chris Costamagna addressed the class during the ceremony, offering words of reflection and encouragement.
“Each of you, Class 25-1, is the first — the first in this rank, the first to set the standard, and the first to define what it means to serve as a Single-Role EMT and Single-Role Paramedic in the Sacramento Fire Department,” Costamagna said. “But more importantly, you are the first of many to come. You are the trailblazers lighting the path for future generations.”
Many of the graduates represent the success of Sacramento Fire’s growing pipeline programs. Four members of the class
came through the EMS Trainee Program, a key initiative aimed at removing traditional barriers and supporting local residents in pursuing fire service careers.
“We are thrilled to highlight important points with this graduation, the SFD’s ability to take a shared vision of creating pipeline programs, removing traditional barriers into the fire department, and work towards creating a workforce that reflects the community,” said Deputy Fire Chief, Tilden Billiter. “Additionally, this graduation positions the SFD one step closer to reaching its goal of modernizing our service delivery model to better serve the community.”
Now on the job, EMS Academy graduates work in teams of two to provide ambulance services in 12-hour shifts, operating on a three-days-on, three-days-off schedule — a new chapter for Sacramento Fire and a major step forward in emergency medical service delivery.
Interested in joining the Sacramento Fire Department? The next hiring opportunity for fire service/Emergency Medical Technician, or paramedic roles is expected to open in May. Visit JoinSacFire.org to learn more.
