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The History of SIEMT
The Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center was founded in 1976 by Willard “Willie” J. Wright, an active FDNY firefighter and a trained EMT. Willie recognized a need for more training opportunities beyond what was only available to the municipal employee or the standard first aid course that provided minimal training.
SIEMT became one of the first New York State Department of Health EMS Course Sponsors and, in 1977, began offering CPR training through the American Red Cross. In 1980, SIEMT added American Heart Association courses to the list of offerings which led to being awarded the status as an authorized AHA training center. Through the years, SIEMT has provided EMT training, AHA training, instructor training, and internships, training thousands of emergency medical technicians, including our current medical director, who is now a Physician for the FDNY.
SIEMT has hundreds of instructors affiliated with the AHA training center and has been the starting point for many people to enter a career in healthcare or public service. SIEMT has been a family since its inception and has even been responsible for the marriage of two senior instructors.
Leaders in EMS Education
Brian Wilkow
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Brian Wilkow is the Director of Student Health Services at SUNY Maritime College. He started his medical career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) in 1982 as a volunteer at the Shorefront Community Volunteer Ambulance Corps. in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn. Since then, Brian has become a Physician Assistant and an American Heart Association BCLS, ACLS, and PALS instructor. He is also a New York State Department of Health Bureau of EMS Certified Instructor Coordinator for the EMT programs.
In addition to his current role at SUNY Maritime College, Brian spent 25 years as a senior hospital administrator and clinician with a proven track record of increasing productivity and financial sustainability. Brian has also been an adjunct faculty member at The College of Staten Island and St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY. He has earned a Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS), a Master of Health Administration (MHA), and Doctor of Health Science (DHSc).
Bill McDonald
Ph.D., SME, FACPE, FAcEM, NR-Paramedic,
NCEE, RF, CIC, CEMSO, CTO, CEM
Chief Operating Officer
Dr. Bill McDonald began his career in EMS in New York City in 1997 and is a graduate of the Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center (SIEMT). He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Emergency Management and Fire Protection, a Master’s Degree in Public Administration, a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration, and a Master’s of Legal Studies Degree.
Bill is one of the first Fellows of the American College of Paramedic Executives, a board-Certified Emergency Manager, a certified Chief EMS Officer, Chief Training Officer, and one of only a few hundred holders of the National EMS Educator Certification in the United States. He is certified by the National Academy of Ambulance Compliance as a Document Specialist, Privacy Officer, Compliance Officer, & Coder, is a Six Sigma Black Belt, and a Certified Medical Professional Legal Consultant.
Dr. Nikolaos Alexandrou
Medical Director
Dr. Nikolaos Alexandrou began his career early by taking an advanced first aid class when he was in high school and then an EMT class at the SIEMT training center before he became a physician. He is trained in Emergency Medicine and Internal Medicine. He has been practicing Emergency Medicine since 1995 as an expert in EMS Pre-hospital care.
Dr. Alexandrou is the Deputy Medical Director for the Fire Department of New York City EMS system under the Office of Medical Affairs and Medical Director for Brooklyn North and the On-Line Medical Control Center for the NYC 911 system. He is an attending physician at The Brooklyn Hospital Center in NYC, in the Emergency Department.
Presently, he is a member of the NYC Regional Emergency Medical Council, the NYS Medical Standards Committee, the New York State Emergency Medical Advisory Committee (SEMAC), and the NYS Emergency Medical Services Council (SEMSCO). He served as a past Regional Faculty member for ACLS with the American Heart Association and continues to be an AHA instructor for BLS, ACLS, and PALS. He has taught classes as a NYS DOH EMT Certified lab Instructor and worked on BRAVO Volunteer Ambulance Service as an EMT.
Willard J. Wright
Founder
Willard Wright, better known to everyone as Willie, began his career in public safety as a firefighter for the New York City Fire Department (FDNY). Willie became a certified EMT in February of 1976 and founded the Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center (SIEMT) that same year. After working in several stations around New York City, he found his forever firehouse at Staten Island’s Tower Ladder 77, where he remained until retirement.
Approximately one year after his retirement, the unexpected happened on September 11, 2001. Just like many active and retired first responders, Willie responded to Ground Zero and spent days on the pile with his brothers. Willie is still quite active and regularly rides with an ambulance as a member of the North Shore Rescue Squad in Staten Island.
Our Instructors
The Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center currently has hundreds of affiliated certified instructors who teach in the EMT programs, CPR, ACLS, and PALS, in addition to various other courses.
SIEMT ensures that all of our instructors are up to date with the latest training and education standards and that they are teaching their respective programs accordingly and with quality.
Our Nationally Affiliated Partners
The Staten Island Emergency Medical Training Center is a prestigious affiliate school approved to offer a comprehensive curriculum of training and EMS education courses that, when combined with our team of talented instructors, prepare students to serve the public safely and effectively.
The New York State Department of Health (the Department) has been overseeing the health, safety, and well-being of New Yorkers since 1901. In the face of today’s new public health challenges and evolving health care system, the Department’s commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all New Yorkers is unwavering.
For nearly 100 years, the American Heart Association has been fighting heart disease and stroke, striving to save and improve lives. From humble beginnings, the AHA has grown into the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke, a cause that unites more than 40 million volunteers and supporters and more than 2,800 employees.
Formed in 1975 and over 75,000 members strong, the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT) is the only national association representing the professional interests of all EMS practitioners, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians, emergency medical responders, and other professionals providing prehospital and out-of-hospital emergent, urgent or preventive medical care.
The National Registry, established in 1970 as a non-profit organization, is the Nation’s Emergency Medical Services Certification organization. The mission of the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians has always been centered on protecting the public and advancing the EMS profession.
ASHI helps prepare employees to respond to emergency situations by providing information, guidance, and access to training resources on various safety and health topics. ASHI has a particular focus on emergency preparedness and response, including business continuity issues, and first aid information such as Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) techniques.
Red Cross works to deliver vital services- from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping with emergency response preparedness. Many jobs require up to date lifesaving skills because they address health emergencies every day – people such as health care providers, first responders, and lifeguards. The American Red Cross offers unparalleled flexibility in delivering training for organizations.
The Coaching the Emergency Vehicle Operators (CEVO) program was first established in the early ’90s. With time, CEVO became recognized as a common driving training standard for ambulance, police, and fire personnel. Over 500,000 emergency personnel have benefited from this course since it was first introduced
Since their establishment in 1990, the NRA has awarded more than $457 million in grant funding in support of the shooting sports. These grants provide essential funding that benefits programs such as youth education, law enforcement training, hunter education, conservation, firearms and marksmanship training and safety, and much more.
