Three students from Humphrey graduated from the EMS Academy, Tarence Wade, Ravinia Walker and Yessica Perez-Montoya. These students and previous graduates from Humphrey have completed either Medical Office Support or the Certified Nursing Assistant programs. The Saint Paul Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Academy is an intensive Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and firefighter awareness program. The 240-hour program is designed for low-income, diverse youth ages 18-24, who are residents of Saint Paul. Admitted participants are paid an hourly wage to attend the training, which lasts 10-14 weeks. Recruitment is targeted to low-income youth of diverse ethnicities, women, and bilingual ability, with the goal of building an EMS workforce reflective of Saint Paul’s communities. Upon graduating from the EMS Academy, these alumni have earned National EMT certification, 9 college credits through Inver Hills Community College, and valuable job competency training. The EMS Academy is collaboration by the Saint Paul Department of Human Rights and Equal Economic Opportunity, Saint Paul Fire Department, Saint Paul Parks and Recreation, Youth Job Corps, Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS), Hubbs Center and Community Action Partnership of Ramsey and Washington Counties (CAPRW). Mayor Chris Coleman and Fire Chief Tim Butler were among the speakers who praised the graduates for their completion of this program.