OCEAN COUNTY – Graduates of Ocean County’s first class of emergency medical technicians were recognized at Ocean County College. The ceremony marked the launch of a county-run EMT training program created to address a growing shortage of volunteer and career responders.
The inaugural Basic EMT Class 001 was held at the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center. Developed in partnership with EMS Consulting Services, the program represents the first time Ocean County has sponsored and operated its own EMT training academy rather than relying on hospitals or outside providers.
The class began in September with 20 recruits. Fifteen students completed the program and crossed the stage during the graduation ceremony, cheered on by family members, fellow EMTs, instructors and county leaders.
Most of the graduates are affiliated with volunteer first aid squads that serve communities throughout Ocean County. Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services was the lone career agency represented in the class, underscoring the continued reliance on volunteer EMS providers in much of the county.
Among those in attendance were Commissioners Samuel Ellenbogen and Robert S. Arace, who serves as liaison to the Fire and EMS Training Center, along with County Administrator Michael Fiure and Assistant County Administrator Tristin J. Collins. The ceremony opened with a flag salute performed by the Ocean County Vocational Technical School Academy of Law and Public Safety color guard.
“This is the culmination of about 18 months of planning and implementation,” said Brian K. Gabriel, director of the Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center. “In the past, Ocean County relied on hospital-based or outside EMS entities to run programs out of our facility. We felt very strongly that we would be more successful in cultivating new EMTs in Ocean County for our first aid squads if we conducted our own program.”
Gabriel said the need for a locally run academy became increasingly clear as volunteer EMS numbers declined and call volumes continued to rise.
The curriculum included classroom instruction, hands-on skills labs and clinical rotations in hospital and field settings. Graduates are now eligible to sit for the National Registry of EMTs certification exam.
Chief EMS Coordinator Rob Contreras said every graduate is connected to an Ocean County EMS agency, reflecting the program’s focus on strengthening local response.
“They did 224 instructional hours, and there was no cost for the classes,” Contreras said. “We’re trying to remove barriers and boost the pool of EMTs out there the best we can. We’re seeing a real need for both volunteer and career EMTs, and this program is one way to start closing that gap.”
Recruitment and retention of EMTs have become a persistent challenge statewide. Unlike police and fire services, EMS is not legally designated as an essential service in New Jersey, leaving many municipalities dependent on volunteers to staff ambulances. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of certified EMTs in New Jersey has declined sharply, placing increased strain on remaining responders and response times.
Arace told graduates their decision to pursue EMS certification came at a critical moment. “You chose long nights of training, difficult exams, physical exhaustion and emotional challenges,” Arace said. “This is not a role where the reward is fame or recognition. The reward is knowing that when someone else was having their worst day, you showed up.”
“When people call 911, they expect highly trained individuals like yourselves to show up,” he added. “We knew the urgency to get this program rolled out, and counties across the state have taken notice of how quickly this was accomplished.”
Candace Gardner, director of the New Jersey Office of Emergency Medical Services, praised the county’s investment in EMS education and the decision to offer the program at no cost to students.
“In my wildest dreams, I could never imagine a first EMT program coming to this type of turnout,” Gardner said. “The fact that you’re able to do this for free in this county is incredible.”
Gardner reminded graduates that technical skills are only part of the job. “You will meet people on the worst day of their lives,” she said. “Your calm, your compassion and your professionalism will often be the first sense of hope that your patient receives.”
Two students were recognized for exceptional performance during the ceremony. Jenny Thompson of Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services received the John J. Glowacki Award, presented to the top academic student in the class. Instructor Peggy Doyle said Thompson stood out from the start.
“She was in early every night. She formed study groups. She asked questions constantly and finished with the highest average,” Doyle said. “She was a friend to everyone in the class, and I can’t wait to see what she does next.”
Amy Otte of Stafford Township Emergency Medical Services received the Leadership Award. Instructor Steve Cosmanic said Otte consistently looked out for her classmates.
“She wasn’t always the loudest person in the room,” he said. “But she was always the one checking on others, organizing study groups and pushing people forward.”
The award came as no surprise to Stafford leaders who came to support Otte’s latest call to service. Otte is a Stafford councilwoman and a longtime member of Stafford Township Volunteer Fire Department’s Women’s Auxiliary. Stafford Mayor Robert Henken, Council President Owen LaRocca and Business Administrator Matthew von der Hayden were part of the crowd present to congratulate the graduates.
Otte wasn’t alone in the graduating class carrying personal connections to service. Among the others was Kaleb Hoffman of Barnegat, who continues a family legacy. Kaleb’s father, Alex Hoffman died six years ago and was a Barnegat police officer and volunteer firefighter and EMT.
The graduates of Ocean County EMT Class 001 were:
Dominick Belli, Stafford Township EMS
Leilany Cardozo-Castillo, South Toms River EMS
Sarah Curtis, Great Bay Regional EMS
Kaleb Hoffman, Barnegat First Aid
Joshua Lacey, Stafford Township EMS
Bryanna MacDonald, South Toms River EMS
Ethan Monahan, Point Pleasant First Aid & Emergency Services
Amy Otte, Stafford Township Emergency Medical Services
Alexander Roman, South Toms River EMS
Bradley Smuro, Lanoka Harbor EMS
Dylan Souchek, Herbertsville Volunteer Fire Company
Salvatore Tatto, Barnegat Light First Aid Squad
Jenny Thompson, Manchester Township Emergency Medical Services
Amy Victoria, Great Bay Regional EMS
Christopher Wilson, Manchester Township EMS
The next Basic EMT class at the Ocean County Training Center is scheduled to begin March 2 with 26 students already enrolled. County officials also announced plans to launch a vocational EMT program for high school seniors in fall 2026.
