Being a cadet has benefits

Ink staffer a part of EMS and LMFD

By Kara Didrich | Manor Ink

Being an EMS and Livingston Manor Fire Department cadet isn’t as easy as it may seem. Becoming a cadet requires some time and effort. A current cadet, Carol Gugliotta, who is also a Manor Ink reporter, shared with the paper the struggles and enjoyable moments being an EMS and LMFD member entails. She joined in February 2024.

“It’s both hard and simple,” Gugliotta said when asked about the difficulty level involved in being a cadet. “You don’t have to dedicate a whole lot of your time, but you have to put in at least a good amount.” Being a cadet isn’t time-consuming; however, you have to put in a lot of effort learning the ropes. The commitment requires consistency rather than countless hours, but the learning curve can be steep for newcomers.

Holding practices for EMS cadets

EMS cadets have to go through many classes in order to learn about different protocols and procedures for each real-life scenario. The training is comprehensive and covers everything from basic first aid to complex emergency response situations. Cadets learn how to assess injuries, communicate with patients and work effectively as part of a medical team. These skills are essential for anyone considering a career in emergency medical services.

“In a case with my friend’s dad and me, we had fallen off a roof, and he was lying on my legs, and I was just face down,” Gugliotta explained, describing one EMS class practice session. “And they ended up killing the other guy. So getting to be in a scenario, it can be fun. You get lifted up, put on a stretcher – all that kind of stuff.”

In these classes, EMS cadets get put in situations that very well could happen and are taught how to deal with them. The hands-on training helps them understand the physical and emotional demands of emergency response work.

Learning responsibility, teamwork

Although EMS and firefighter cadet roles seem simple, they aren’t. There are good times and bad, positive experiences and negative. The program helps teach youth to respond to situations while building valuable life skills. Cadets become quick thinkers and hard workers. They learn responsibility, teamwork and the importance of staying calm under pressure. For many young people, the program provides a sense of purpose and direction while giving back to the community.

For information on becoming an EMS cadet, email lmvac18@gmail.com; to join the LMFD as a cadet, call 845-439-4490.