Mayor Bowser, DC Fire & EMS and UDC Launch Paramedic Program 2026

Thursday, February 13, 2025 Paramedic Program, Set to Launch in 2026, Will Provide a Pathway to the Middle Class for District Residents and Those Pursuing Careers in Paramedicine (Washington, DC) – Today, Mayor Muriel Bowser, DC Fire and EMS Chief John A. Donnelly, Sr., and University of the District of Columbia (UDC) President Maurice D. Edington 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 high-quality healthcare training.
“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 right time,” said Mayor Bowser. “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.

“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,” said DC Fire and EMS Chief, John A. Donnelly. “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.

“Today’s announcement exemplifies UDC’s commitment to serving as the District's workforce and economic mobility engine,” said UDC President Maurice D. Edington. “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.”

By combining world-class training with real-world experience, this partnership will not only bolster the District’s emergency medical workforce but also open doors to lasting, life-changing career opportunities for DC residents.

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