A paramedic with nearly 20 years of experience saving lives and teaching others how to do so has been hired to launch a new Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) program at Capital Region BOCES.
Michael Turek started work the week of April 13 at the Career and Technical Education (CTE) Center and is collaborating with BOCES administration and regional and state emergency medical service representatives to create the coursework, curricula and the entire program.
The EMT course will be offered to high school students in about two-dozen area school districts starting in September at the Albany and Schoharie CTE campuses. During the year-long program, students will be prepared to respond confidently and effectively in emergency medical situations. The hands-on, fast-paced program will combine classroom instruction, laboratory skill practice and real-world scenarios to develop the knowledge and competencies required for pre-hospital emergency care.
Students will learn to assess, treat and transport patients experiencing medical and traumatic emergencies while emphasizing teamwork, safety, communication and professionalism.
“The program isn’t just about teaching skills, it’s about building confident, capable providers who are ready to step into their communities and make a real difference,” said Turek.
The course will align with New York State Department of Health (NYS DOH) standards, and upon successful completion, students will be eligible to take the NYS DOH EMT-Basic (EMT-B) Certification Exam.
Once the school year begins, Turek will teach students at the Schoharie Campus while another instructor will take the reins of the program on the Albany Campus.
He said he is looking forward to the experience.
“I am excited to help shape the next generation of EMS professionals,” said Turek.
Turek brings extensive experience in the field and classroom to BOCES.
He currently works as a paramedic in Greene Counties and has worked previously throughout the region. His teaching experience includes working as an EMT instructor for the Otsego County Office of Emergency Management at SUNY Oneonta, the Regional Emergency Medical Organization in Albany, as well as at several area EMS providers.
CTE Director Jeff Palmer said Capital Region BOCES expects the new program will address a critical state and national shortage of emergency medical technicians.
“Capital Region BOCES is always ready to rise to the occasion to help with workforce development in industries that are suffering shortages of skilled workers. There may be no more critical shortage of workers than in emergency medicine, where virtually every provider is in need of skilled workers,” Palmer said.
Indeed, the number of active EMS responders in New York state declined by 17.5% between 2019 and 2022, according to the “NYS EMS Workforce Report, 2024.”
The decline jeopardizes the ability of communities to respond to emergencies effectively, especially as the demand for emergency medical care continues to rise. Additionally, nationwide, nearly 60% of EMS agencies report insufficient staffing to meet 911 call demands, leading to delayed response times and increased risks for patients in critical need, as revealed by the “What Paramedics Want” in 2024 report.
“We hope that through these programs, Capital Region BOCES can provide the answer needed for the health and safety of the 911 systems in our region, and more importantly, for the citizens of our area,” Palmer said.