(BUFFALO, NY) – Mayor Byron W. Brown today joined American Medical Response at the graduation of 13 new Emergency Medical Technicians (EMT). The EMTs are graduates of AMR’s award-winning “Earn While You Learn” program. This graduating class was the first class that included a formal class on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) which was taught by Buffalo’s Chief Diversity Officer, Chantele Thompson. Buffalo is the first EWYL program in the nation to include a formal class on DEI and it will serve as a blueprint for other classes across the country.
The program started as a pilot in Buffalo in 2018 and has gone on to graduate more than 1100 EMTs across the nation.
“I am very appreciative of AMR’s continued commitment and investment in our city, and it makes me proud to see the Earn While You Learn program, that started right here in Buffalo, become a model in other cities across our country,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “What makes me even more proud is knowing that AMR, like our city of Buffalo, has embraced Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. I’m glad to see AMR, and our city, moving forward towards a more inclusive and just world for all of our citizens.”
“When I started as a paramedic 35 years ago, diversity was not a consideration in workforce development. Everyone looked the same and came from the same background,” said Tom Maxian, President of Global Medical Response’s Northeast Region. “GMR is committed to building a workforce that not only represents the communities our EMTs and paramedics work, live, and play in but also gives them the opportunity to see the world through career advancement opportunities at the company.”
“It was such an honor to have been chosen to teach AMR’s first DEI class,” said Chantele Thompson, Buffalo’s Chief Diversity Officer. “Accessibility and inclusion are crucial parts of the healthcare system, and I’m very pleased to see AMR’s commitment to fostering an environment where all are respected and represented.”
The graduates were hired by AMR as regular employees before they began their EMT training, and will be eligible for a promotion once they complete the New York State EMT exam. For additional information on Earn While You Learn or other career opportunities at AMR please visit www.amr.net.
About American Medical Response (AMR)
American Medical Response, Inc., America’s leading provider of medical transportation, provides services in 40 states and the District of Columbia. More than 39,000 AMR paramedics, EMTs, RNs and other professionals work together to transport more than 4.8 million patients nationwide each year in critical, emergency and non-emergency situations. AMR also provides fire services through Rural Metro Fire Department, www.ruralmetrofire.com. For more information about AMR, visit www.amr.net and follow American Medical Response on Facebook @AMR_Social on Twitter and Instagram.
AMR is part of the Global Medical Response family of companies. Global Medical Response, Inc. is the industry-leading air, ground, specialty and residential fire services, and managed medical transportation organization. With more than 38,000 employees, GMR delivers compassionate, quality medical care, primarily in the areas of emergency and patient relocation services in the United States and around the world. For more information, visit www.globalmedicalresponse.com.