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Free* EMT Class — Accepting Applications

Mohawk is now accepting applications for 2024 EMT Courses (refresher & original EMT courses). Our first course of 2024 is tentatively scheduled from mid-January to early/mid-March, with subsequent classes starting every two months thereafter.**

  • EMT academy courses meet 5 days a week and last approximately 6-8 weeks.  Students in the academy course who participate in the Mohawk’s EMT Education Assistance Program, receive a weekly stipend of $540 and the course and materials are FREE. *
  • If you previously applied, please check your email for a Test Gorilla assessment link and complete the assessment.
  • If you already completed the assessment and want to check on the status of your application, please contact 518-382-104 or email EMTstudents@mohawkambulance.com

*other terms and conditions apply.

**subject to approval by NYS DOH.

COVID-19 Vaccination Effort Update

Albany County and Capital Region residents, visit https://alb.518c19.com to preregister for your COVID-19 vaccination appointment.

Unsure about your eligibility? Check the New York State Department of Health website.  The supply of the vaccine changes on a daily basis, so continually check with your local county health department regarding availability.

Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital at Albany Med Rolls Out New Ambulance

A new ambulance dedicated to transporting ill and injured children from northeastern New York state and western New England to Albany Med was rolled out today, a gift from the Massry family, of Albany, who donated $250,000 for the specialized vehicle.

The Massry family continues to demonstrate their deep belief in the importance of the health and wellness of our regions children through their generous philanthropic support, said Dennis P. McKenna, M.D., president and CEO at Albany Med. On behalf of Albany Med and the regions children and their families, we express our sincerest thanks to Massry’s for their generous support and to our long-time partners at Mohawk Ambulance Services, which will operate the ambulance.

As a family, we are dedicated to making sure the children of this community have all they need to thrive, said Norman Massry. This new ambulance, specially equipped for children, means that acute care for our youngest patients starts immediately. Paired with the resources of The Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center and the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital, we feel confident that the medical services our children need are being delivered in a way only Albany Med can provide.

Annually, the ambulance will transport approximately 500 infants, children and adolescents to the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital and The Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center, the only children’s hospital and pediatric emergency department in the region. This includes newborns from other hospitals throughout the region requiring expert care at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, the regions most technologically advanced NICU; inpatients with chronic conditions requiring transport to other facilities or home; pediatric trauma patients needing medical attention at the pediatric emergency department; and pediatric oncology patients from the Melodies Center for Childhood Cancer and Blood Disorders, the regions only childhood cancer center.

Among the features of the new ambulance are extra oxygen capabilities and compressed air to deliver more precise concentrations of oxygen for neonates; it also includes specialized equipment to handle extremely premature newborns through adolescents.

The new ambulance replaces one that transported nearly 1,700 patients and logged more than 161,000 miles during its four years of service.

Our children’s hospital could not provide these crucial emergency medical transport services without our amazing donors, the Massry family, and our partner, Mohawk Ambulance Service, said Barbara Ostrov, M.D., chief of service of the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital.  Together we are so pleased to welcome our new ambulance. This brand-new, specially designed ambulance will allow us to continue to serve our community for many years into the future.

At The Massry Family Childrens Emergency Center, our team of specialists trained in pediatric emergency medicine treated more than 21,000 children and teenagers last year, many arriving by emergency transport, said Denis Pauz, M.D., chair of the Department of Emergency Medicine at Albany Med. This ambulance will be an invaluable asset for expediting treatment before our doctors, nurses and staff at Albany Med can expertly assess and treat patients medical needs.

As new tools are made available to us through the advances in health care and technology, it is our responsibility as medical care providers to offer our communities the best possible emergency service, said James P. McPartlon III, president of Mohawk Ambulance Service. This means that we dedicate the resources to reinvest in our equipment and vehicles. We are proud to partner in this shared value with the Bernard & Millie Duker Children’s Hospital and The Massry Family Children’s Emergency Center. Through the support of its professional staff, we will continue to provide the highest quality of care to young patients across the Capital Region.

Thank You for Your Support During the Response to COVID-19

We are touched by the outpouring of support our community has shown to healthcare workers and first responders. We would like to extend a sincere thank you to these organizations and businesses for sending us food and drinks.

 

 
We cannot thank you enough for the generosity you have shown to our crew members.

 

 

Mohawk Ambulance Service’s Response to COVID-19

Dear Valued Patients,

At this time of uncertainty surrounding COVID-19, the health and safety of our employees, our patients and their families continues to remain our highest priority. All Mohawk Ambulance Service personnel have been trained to take protective measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

Please know, Mohawk Ambulance Service is committed to exercising additional precautions in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and are in accordance with guidelines from the New York State Department of Health and our local health departments. We have already implemented the following measures with your well-being our priority:

  • The utilization of UV-C Air and Surface Disinfection fixtures (similar to those used in hospital operating rooms using UV light)
  • Mandatory Health Screening for all employees prior to and following all shifts (all employees showing symptoms of illness are required to stay home)
  • Increased decontamination and biohazard training for all employees
  • Rigorous COVID-19 Persons under Investigation (PUI) patient tracking and monitoring
  • Reduction of the use of high-risk interventions
  • No additional passengers in ambulance during patient transports (no riders)
  • Social distancing and the implementation of good hygiene practices
  • Continuation of constant communication with hospitals as well as regional and state authorities on updates and increased prevention procedures

We encourage you to continue to stay informed on updates released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and World Health Organization (WHO) on all guidelines to slow the spread of the virus. Our website contains the phone numbers for all local health departments as well as a coronavirus hotline and steps to help prevent the spread of the virus. If you suspect you may be positive for COVID-19, we encourage you to contact your health provider first before calling emergency services.

We will continue to update you on further protective measures Mohawk Ambulance Service employees are taking to preserve your health and safety. We will get through this difficult time together.

Sincerely,

James P. McPartlon III
President

COVID-19 Symptoms and Contact Information

If you suspect you have come into contact with someone with COVID-19 Coronavirus, or are having symptoms that include fever, cough or shortness of breath, please contact your health care provider immediately.

If you develop emergency warning signs for COVID-19 get medical attention immediately. Emergency warning signs include*:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Persistent pain or pressure in the chest
  • New confusion or inability to arouse
  • Bluish lips or face
    *This list is not all inclusive. Please consult your medical provider for any other symptoms that are severe or concerning.

More information can be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) website.

You can also call the New York State Coronavirus Health Hotline: 1-888-364-3065


Additional information is available through your county health department listed below:

Albany County Health Department
518-447-4580

Rensselaer County Health Department
518-270-2655

Schenectady County Public Health Services (SCPHS) Communicable Disease Department:
518-386-2824, Option 4 (8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday)
After Hours: 518-437-7878

Saratoga County Public Health Services
518-584-7460

First responders treat Christmas like any other day

CBS First Responders

ALBANY, N.Y. (WRGB) – Emergencies don’t take a holiday, so those who serve the community don’t either.

First responders treat Christmas Day like any other day.

For them, it’s important to stay prepared as they might have to spring into action on a moment’s notice.

Some are working on Christmas Day, so their colleagues with young children can get the day off and spend time with them.

Although it may be difficult to not be around family, some say working on Christmas Day is a privilege.

“Working in emergency services such as fire, police, law enforcement, we don’t take holidays off. If our schedule happens to fall upon the day of that holiday, we come in to work,” said Marc Cocco, EMT Supervisor for Mohawk Ambulance Service. “During the holidays, emergencies still happen and our dedication to our community is why we do this.”

Cocco tells CBS6’s Lynsey Smith that it’s a good reason first responders are working on Christmas, because the amount of calls they receive are about the same as a regular day.