Ocean County launches free EMT academy as shortage reaches emergency levels Dan Alexander Published: November 25, 2025 Students at the Ocean County's EMS Academy (Ocean County Fire and EMS Training Center)

✅ Ocean County an EMT training program to counter a worsening shortage

✅ First class of 20 students nearly finished the intensive 224-hour course

✅ Demand surges as 80 applicants chase 20 spots for February’s next class

A New Jersey county is taking steps to turn around a shortage of EMTs by starting a program at its existing training center.

The first 20 students in the 224-hour program are nearly done with their classes, designed to keep trainees in the county to bolster the ranks of EMTs, which have been declining in the past several years. It's been a goal of Brian Gabrie

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