Monday was Graduation Day for a new class of first responders in New York.
Acting fire commissioner Laura Kavanagh presided at the graduation ceremony for 153 emergency medical technicians and six paramedics.
The EMTs have completed 13 weeks at the EMS academy, training in everything from CPR and medical trauma assessment to emergency childbirth.
"At every turn, the impact of the life-saving work that you do can be felt in every corner of the city, even decades after the fact. This is difficult work, but it is noble, it is courageous, and it is brave, and it will change lives, as we've seen here today," Kavanagh said.
The new EMTs and paramedics will be assigned to units throughout New York City.