(Washington, DC) – Mayor Muriel Bowser today celebrated the graduation of DC Fire and Emergency Medical Services’ (FEMS) Recruit Class 382. After six months of training, the fifteen graduating members of Recruit Class 382 will join DC FEMS as dual-role firefighters and paramedics.
“Protecting the safety, health, and well-being of every Washingtonian is my top priority, and something we can’t do without the hardworking men and women at DC FEMS,” said Mayor Bowser. “This new class of DC’s Bravest will help us continue building a safer, stronger DC and we are grateful for their service.”
During the Bowser Administration, more than 400 men and women have joined DC FEMS, with 300 members joining as firefighters/EMTs or firefighters/paramedics. All graduates completed rigorous course work and hands-on field-training, including simulated advance life support exercises and shadow visits with veteran department members.
“All fifteen of the graduates come from different backgrounds and all of them took different paths to graduation day, but they are now forever connected as a unit, that today, joins the larger family that is the DC Fire and EMS Department,” said Chief Gregory Dean.
Since 2015, the Bowser Administration has improved DC FEMS by filling critical vacancies and bolstering the department’s previously depleted apparatus fleet. Additionally, last year, the Mayor made enhancements to the DC Government Employer-Assisted Housing Program (EAHP) to assist FEMS members in purchasing their first home in the District, making it easier to attract and retain top talent. With the enhancements, first responders are able to receive $1,500 in District-matched funds for every contribution of $2,500 up to $15,000; access to a deferred payment loan up to $20,000; and eligibility for a grant of up to $10,000 to go toward their first home purchase. Additionally, DC Government employees are still eligible to apply for up to $80,000 in assistance under the Home Purchase Assistance Program (HPAP), meaning that with the new enhancements, first responders can potentially receive up to $125,000 in home purchase assistance from the District.