Sixteen young adults are on their way to becoming first responders after completing a five-month long emergency medical services course through the County of San Diego.

The group graduated Tuesday evening from the San Diego EMS Corps, a program through San Diego County Fire and supported by local nonprofits that intends to create more accessible pathways to careers in emergency response.

They were the first to complete the program, which began in July, and proud families and friends gathered for the ceremony at Southwestern Community College to celebrate.

“We want to see you be successful, have an outstanding career in this and make a difference in the lives of a lot of people, because you do have that opportunity,” Jeff Collins, the county fire director, told the graduates.

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