By Yvette Urrea Moe, County of San Diego Communications Office
Sep. 25, 2026 | 12:11 PM
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County Fire is launching 18 young men and women graduates of its Emergency Medical Services Corps into the emergency medical services field. This group is County Fire’s first North County cohort, following two earlier EMS Corps graduations at Southwestern College in February and June.
“Behind every graduate in this room is an ecosystem of wraparound support made up of case managers, instructors, and mentors who simply refused to let them fail,” said Tareq Haidari, program coordinator. “For many of you, this graduation is just the beginning — a vital steppingstone toward an even greater career in EMS and healthcare. As you advance, represent the EMS Corps program with pride and integrity in every community you serve.”
The County’s EMS Corps program prepares young adults to become Emergency Medical Technicians and earn a California EMT Card. Graduates complete a 20-week program that combines classroom instruction, realistic emergency scenarios, intensive hands-on training, and up to 12 college credits at Palomar College.
The state grant-funded effort offers more than 400 hours of EMS training and more than 150 hours of mentorship, tutoring, career coaching, fitness, and counseling.
Participants also receive a monthly $1,500 stipend and wraparound support services such as post-graduate job assistance, financial literacy coaching, childcare and housing resources. The Employment Development Department and Public Works Alliance provide the grant to support emergency medical services workforce needs. San Diego Workforce Partnership also invested in the program’s expansion to the North County.
The application period is currently closed but will re-open soon. Adults ages 18 to 26 who live in California and meet the EMS Bureau background requirements are encouraged to apply.
Learn more at sandiegoemscorps.org.
Related: Emergency Medical Servicesemergency servicesEMS graduation
Yvette Urrea Moe is a communications specialist with the County of San Diego Communications Office.
