BMHS Healthcare Academy Students Spend Their Summer Preparing to Become EMTs

Nine dedicated students from Brien McMahon High School's Healthcare Academy are spending their vacation preparing to save lives.

Through a partnership with Northwell Health and Norwalk Hospital, the students are enrolled in the BMHS Summer EMT Course, an intensive program that provides the education and hands-on clinical experience needed to become certified Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs).

"Becoming an EMT serves as an incredible stepping stone into the healthcare field," said Daniel McElroy, Co-Healthcare Academy Coordinator and science teacher at Brien McMahon. "These students have been dedicated and have been giving up their summer to pursue this life-changing opportunity."

Click here to hear from McElroy and several Healthcare Academy students as they share what they're learning through the program and how the opportunity is helping prepare them for future careers in healthcare.

Learning From Healthcare Professionals

Throughout the program, students are learning what it takes to respond in emergency situations while working alongside experienced healthcare professionals every day. Their training has introduced them to EMTs, paramedics, nurses, physicians and patient care technicians, giving them a firsthand look at the teamwork required to deliver emergency medical care.

The experience extends far beyond the classroom. Students have explored key areas throughout Norwalk Hospital, including the Emergency Department, EMS operations and even the hospital's helipad, gaining a better understanding of how emergency care is coordinated from the moment a patient arrives.

Hands-On Experience

They are also mastering the practical skills every EMT must know, from patient assessment and lifesaving techniques to safely lifting and transporting patients. To prepare for their certification exams, students are working closely with paramedics who are helping them refine the critical skills they'll need in the field.

Learning continues on weekends as students complete their required clinical hours through ambulance ride-alongs and rotations in the Emergency Department. These real-world experiences allow students to apply what they've learned while observing emergency medicine in action.

McElroy is also completing the EMT training alongside his students, giving him an even greater appreciation for the commitment the program demands.

"We are already seeing great success," he said. "This past year, 12 seniors completed our Patient Care Technician program at Norwalk Hospital. If all nine of our current students pass the national EMT exam, we will have successfully provided them with that same caliber of real-life experience, empowering them to step directly into the healthcare workforce and give back to our community."

Building the Future Healthcare Workforce

The partnership with Northwell Health and Norwalk Hospital has played a critical role in making that opportunity possible.

"The entire staff at Norwalk Hospital and Northwell Health has been incredibly supportive, actively engaging our students and fostering a rich learning environment," McElroy said.

Students will complete the course in early August before taking the Practical Skills Examination. They will then register for the National Registry EMT cognitive examination, the final step toward earning their national certification.

The ultimate goal is to establish the EMT course as a regular offering at Brien McMahon High School, creating another career pathway that prepares Norwalk students to enter the healthcare workforce with valuable certifications, meaningful experience and the opportunity to serve their community.

Living the Portrait of a Graduate

These nine students are a powerful example of the NPS Portrait of a Graduate in action. By stepping up to fill a vital community need, they are demonstrating what it means to be Global Citizens with deep empathy and a commitment to public service. Taking on a rigorous professional certification during their summer break also reflects the qualities of Self-Directed Learners, showing exceptional motivation and ownership of their career goals and personal growth.

Throughout their clinical training, students work seamlessly as Synergistic Collaborators to navigate complex medical scenarios while applying Critical Thinking to analyze symptoms, evaluate information and make life-saving decisions under pressure. As they practice patient assessments and interact with healthcare professionals, they are also developing as Effective Communicators who actively listen to patients in distress and clearly communicate critical information to hospital staff.

Through this rigorous training, these future first responders are truly embodying the complete vision of a Norwalk graduate.