Thanks to funding provided through CareerSource NEFL’s Customized Training Program, Clay County is starting 2025 with 20 new paramedics.
The trainees, Firefighters/Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs) who worked within the Clay County Fire and Rescue Department (CCFR), attended and completed Paramedic training throughout 2024 – with all receiving certification by the end of the year.
“This was our first collaboration together with Clay County Fire and Rescue, and one of the largest groups to receive funding for training in quite a while,” said CareerSource NEFL Healthcare Industry Manager Carol Cullen.
Those who took part in the training and received their Paramedic certifications included Jason Arzie, Jonathon Byrne, Austin Christ, Benjamin Denneen, Jonthan Dimaggio, Christopher Eng, Nicholas Formisano, Andrew Fraley, Matthew Harrison, Alexander Hatch, Daniel LeMay, Matthew Martin, Matthew Meeker, Jack Middleton, Andrew Morcillo, Vitaliy Morgan, Tyler Morris, Za’Marria Simpson, Albert Toledo and Hakeem Williams.
Originally from Vero Beach, new Paramedic Andrew Morcillo moved to Clay County about eight years ago with his wife.
“We came here specifically so she could be closer to her parents and grandparents,” he said. “I was doing professional cross fit before, but there’s really not any longevity in that, and I’d really wanted to get into firefighting for a long time and wanted a job that had some sort of retirement associated with it.”
Morcillo was volunteering with Putnam County Fire Rescue when he entered and graduated from the Fire Academy and was able to transition to a full time position at that department.
“I had a career, but I found out that I wanted to do more in technical rescue and special operations, and Clay County had an outlet for that, so I came here four years ago to make that transition,” he said.
Morcillo had been providing EMT services since his career began. But now, with this training, he can do a lot more in the field and help more people during accidents and other emergency responses.
“When it comes to EMTs, you’re pretty limited to non-evasive procedures like bandaging wounds, providing splints and basic assessments,” he said. “But as a Paramedic, you’re really able to provide care to people in severe situations…motor vehicle accidents, fall injuries…you can fine tune your assessment to hone-in on specific things that you may need to address in those situations, as well as administer medications to help remedy the physical responses to those injuries.”
When they move from EMTs to Paramedics, these first responders can offer a wider range of life-saving skills and medical treatment when they respond to emergencies. Some of these include performing a cricothyrotomy (a procedure that involves placing a tube through an incision to establish an airway for oxygen), chest decompressions, needle decompressions to relieve pressure on the chest, starting IVs (administering a drug or other substance through a needle or tube inserted into a vein) and administering other drugs on an accident scene.
Another new Paramedic, Matthew Martin, was born and raised in West Jacksonville and held several jobs, from construction and demolition to home remodeling, before joining Clay County Fire and Rescue about three years ago. Martin, who says he’s always had ‘a servant’s heart’ (perhaps because both of his parents worked in law enforcement) said he always wanted to help people.
“I wanted to be part of a community in different ways, but also wanted to be in a smaller department, so when I decided to go the fire route I was happy to join up in Clay County and move to this area,” he said.
While he always eyed becoming a Paramedic, a renewed impetus came when Martin’s father Alan Martin, a 52-year veteran of the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office, passed away in December 2023.
“I always told him I was going to end up being a Paramedic and it used to make him so happy,” Martin said. “The thought of his boy being a paramedic firefighter just made him elated and, of course, I wanted to do it to be able to be in a better position to help people in my job.”
But, still the cost of the training held him back…until the opportunity was possible thanks to the help of the CareerSource NEFL Customized Training Program.
“I didn’t have the money to put toward the initial payment and all of the costs when it came to books and all the stuff that goes along with it…I didn’t have that kind of capital,” he said. “But when this came, it was a great opportunity for me and I said, ‘I’m going to jump on this.’”
Morcillo agreed.
“I think it’s a fantastic thing to be able to give individuals a chance who otherwise may not be able to do it,” Morcillo said. “It’s a big financial obligation, let alone having a training schedule conducive to the way we work….three days on, three days off…or every third day we’re working…so I’m just happy that I was given the opportunity and the chance to continue to develop, push myself and grow.”
Martin said he was “really appreciative to be selected for the opportunity” provided through CareerSource NEFL.
Once the two, along with the rest of the group, completed their coursework in December, they then took the national registry – a national examination of competency – to begin their new careers as Paramedics.
“I think it’s a fantastic opportunity for both us and the county…I think it’s a win- win both ways,” Morcillo said. “For me personally, its huge…the promotion means a little bit more money with more responsibilities. My biggest takeaway was that I was able to challenge myself. I came here for the technical rescue aspect side of things which is more physically demanding, whereas paramedicine is more so of a ‘sit back and think’ kind of thing. I wanted to challenge myself in that aspect and I saw the opportunity to expand as a person…to be better and to better help serve the people of Clay County, while at the same time being promoted to provide more for my family.”
About Clay County Fire and Rescue
Clay County currently has more than 40 firefighters either in or starting the paramedic program which furthers its plan to place more fire/rescue vehicles on the streets. This follows Clay County’s bonding project that is bringing five new stations to the area that will have the capacity to have more units. Clay County Fire and Rescue Department’s (CCFR) progress towards strengthening its Public Safety system is bringing CCFR to levels needed to serve our citizens best, which is a targeted area in Clay County’s strategic plan. Chief David Motes emphasizes that CCFR intends to hire more than 30 new firefighters this year and Station 20 in Green Cove Springs will be completed this summer with others following, putting CCFR well on its way to meeting the Board of County Commissioners Strategy.
CareerSource NEFL is here to help Employers like you.
Learn more about our Customized Training Programs or contact our Business Services team today.
English
Haitian Creole
Spanish