LEONARDTOWN, Md. — On September 10, 2025, the St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services marked a milestone with the graduation of EMS Training Academy Class 25-02 at Chopticon High School. The ceremony honored recruits who completed rigorous training in clinical skills, teamwork, communication, and customer service, preparing them to serve as emergency medical technicians (EMTs) in Southern Maryland. Led by EMS Lieutenant Adam Weiss, the academy equipped the class with essential skills for responding to medical emergencies across St. Mary’s County.
Emergency Services Director Jennifer Utz and Deputy Director Kiersten Shea presented Certificates of Completion to each graduate, who were then pinned with badges by chosen family members or guests, symbolizing their entry into the EMS profession. The event, attended by recruits’ families and department leadership, highlighted the community’s investment in building a skilled emergency response workforce. A department post on September 10 noted the graduates’ dedication, emphasizing their role in enhancing public safety.
During the ceremony, EMT Kyler Wilson addressed his classmates, stating, “I don’t know everything there is to know about EMS, and the day I think I do will be the day I should retire.” His remarks underscored the importance of continuous learning in a field where adaptability is critical. The graduates now transition to field training, logging supervised hours before operating independently as EMTs. This phase, mandated by Maryland’s Emergency Medical Services Board, ensures new responders meet state certification standards under Health-General Article Section 13-516, requiring proficiency in patient assessment, trauma care, and medical interventions.
The St. Mary’s County Department of Emergency Services, based in Leonardtown, oversees a network of volunteer and career EMS providers responding to over 12,000 calls annually, per 2024 county data. The training academy, housed at the county’s Public Safety Training Center, delivers programs accredited by the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems. Class 25-02’s curriculum included hands-on simulations and classroom instruction, aligning with national standards for Basic Life Support certification. Graduates are prepared to handle emergencies ranging from cardiac arrests to motor vehicle accidents, critical in a county with rural stretches along Routes 5 and 235.
Maryland’s EMS training process requires recruits to complete approximately 150 hours of instruction, followed by field evaluations. The pinning ceremony, a tradition in EMS culture, signifies readiness to serve under high-pressure conditions. St. Mary’s County, with a robust volunteer base through organizations like the Leonardtown Volunteer Rescue Squad, relies on such programs to maintain response capacity. In 2024, the county’s EMS teams achieved an average response time of 8 minutes for priority calls, a metric the new graduates will help sustain.
The department encourages community support for its newest EMTs as they begin field work. Past academy classes have bolstered local response teams, with graduates often serving at stations like Hollywood or Lexington Park. The ceremony at Chopticon High School, reflected the county’s commitment to fostering local talent for public safety roles.
