Capital Region BOCES to launch a new EMT program for 2026-27 school year

ALBANY/SCHOHARIE -- Area high school students will soon have a chance to earn certification as New York State Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) through Capital Region BOCES.

The Emergency Medical Technician program is a one-year course that will be offered on the Albany and Schoharie Career and Technical Education (CTE) campuses starting with the 2026-27 school year.

The program will prepare students to respond confidently and effectively in emergency medical situations. This hands-on, fast-paced program will combine classroom instruction, laboratory skill practice and real-world scenarios to develop the knowledge and competencies required for pre-hospital emergency care.

Students will learn to assess, treat and transport patients experiencing medical and traumatic emergencies while emphasizing teamwork, safety, communication and professionalism.

The course will align with New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) standards, and upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the NYS DOH EMT-Basic (EMT-B) Certification Exam.

CTE Director Jeff Palmer said Capital Region BOCES expects the new program will address a critical state and national shortage of emergency medical technicians.

“Capital Region BOCES is always ready to rise to the occasion to help with workforce development in industries that are suffering shortages of skilled workers. There may be no more critical shortage of workers than in emergency medicine, where virtually every provider is in need of skilled workers,” Palmer said.

Indeed, the number of active EMS responders in New York state declined by 17.5% between 2019 and 2022, according to the NYS EMS Workforce Report, 2024. The decline jeopardizes the ability of communities to respond to emergencies effectively, especially as the demand for emergency medical care continues to rise. Additionally, nationwide, nearly 60% of EMS agencies report insufficient staffing to meet 911 call demands, leading to delayed response times and increased risks for patients in critical need, as revealed by the What Paramedics Want in 2024 report. 

“We hope that through these programs, Capital Region BOCES can provide the answer needed for the health and safety of the 911 systems in our region, and more importantly, of the citizens of our area,” Palmer said.