BUFFALO, N.Y. — It was a special day for 21 EMTs part of the “Earn While You Learn" program, as they celebrated their graduation Monday.

Skyler Hitzges is proud to have finally graduated as an EMT. This wasn't her first time attending EMT school.

"Didn't work out that well and it was in college and you weren't getting paid, so I was kind of living off my parent's money," Hitzges, a recent American Medical Response graduate, said.

This time, Hitzges says she was able to better her life and make some money through the Earn While You Learn program, all while taking the first step toward her dream career at American Medical Response. Students part of the academy in Buffalo are given a wage while they are being trained.

Zeke Almager graduated from the program as well, and says he was able to really focus on his training. 

"I came all the way from Texas for the program,” Almager said. “It’s just a great opportunity. We don't have it back home in Texas.”

The program was also a source of security for many students during the pandemic, a time when millions lost their jobs.

"I'm grateful I was able to keep a job,” Serita Lovett, a former AMR Earn While You Learn graduate, said. “I'm grateful to be able to feed my family. Like I said, not everyone can say that. I really think if you look around here, you'll see that in everyone.”

Retired Chief Ernie Masullo of the Evans Police Department says the skills EMT students in programs like AMR learn and later use in their careers are crucial to saving lives. In fact, his own life was saved by a paramedic in 2019, when he collapsed from heart issues. 

"Thank God they were there in less than four minutes,” Masullo said. “That's why I'm standing here today. I can't thank them enough. I get to watch my grandkids grow up.”

Officials say more than 200 local residents have completed the paid EMT training program.  

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown says some of the federal funds form the American Rescue Plan will be allocated toward programs like the Earn While You Learn program.