Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr., and University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Maurice D. Edington have announced a new partnership to establish the District’s first publicly accessible paramedic program.
Scheduled to launch in 2026, the program will create a direct pathway to careers in paramedicine, helping to address the national paramedic shortage while expanding access to healthcare training.
Mayor Muriel Bowser commented: “Building a comprehensive system of health care is not only about having the right facilities, it’s also about having the right people who can provide the right care at the time.”
“This partnership between UDC and DC Fire and EMS is about investing in our residents, strengthening our health care workforce and creating a strong pipeline of paramedics who know DC.”
The demand for paramedics remains high in DC and across the country. While DC Fire and EMS actively recruits nationally registered paramedics, this new program will focus on developing a pipeline of homegrown talent.
Following national curriculum standards, the program will train 50-75 paramedics in the District each year.
DC Fire and EMS Chief, John A. Donnelly shared: “We are proud of our role to advance Mayor Bowser’s continued investment in pathways to the middle class for members of our department and the community we proudly serve.
“By offering these advanced skills in local academic and clinical settings, we are enhancing our ability to respond to any emergency but also promoting life-saving innovation on behalf of the residents and visitors who need it most.”
The program’s curriculum will include labs and lectures at UDC, clinical rotations at hospitals such as Howard University Hospital and hands-on internships with DC Fire and EMS.
UDC President, Maurice D. Edington commented: “Today’s announcement exemplifies UDC’s commitment to serving as the District’s workforce and economic mobility engine.”
“Our new paramedic program represents a transformative opportunity for EMTs to gain critical skills through high-quality education and training, to grow in their careers and ultimately to contribute to the health and safety of their communities.”
The Mayor of Washington, Muriel Bowser has announced a new partnership between DC Fire & EMS to create the District’s first publicly accessible paramedic program at UDC.
UDC President, Maurice D. Edington said that the new paramedic program represents a transformative opportunity to gain critical skills through high-quality education.
