Forty-six men and women have completed a five-semester course that qualifies them for Virginia paramedic certification.

In honor of the group's achievement, the Hanover Fire/EMS held its first paramedic class graduation May 9 at Randolph-Macon College in Ashland.

"You are the finest group of students I have ever been associated with," said Michael Biamonte, lead paramedic instructor.

His advice to the graduates: "Treat your patients like your family and just do the right thing, and everything else falls into place."

The accreditation course is offered through J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College, and training is coordinated by Hanover Fire/EMS and held at the Harman-Taylor Hanover Fire/EMS Training Center.

The 2008 class began about 18 months ago, and graduates completed 900 to 1,400 hours of training, including time spent at hospitals.

"This is a tremendous commitment," said Wayne Woo, battalion chief, training for Hanover Fire/EMS. "Our graduates basically go through 18 months of their lives having no other life outside this place when you consider not only all the class time but the rotations in hospitals and going out with the squads. We have had paramedic classes graduate before, but this program has grown so much, and we wanted to show these graduates that we appreciate them just as much as we appreciate our Fire Academy graduates."

Graduates represent several localities throughout Virginia, with Hanover and Chesterfield having the most at 13 apiece. Other graduates are from Henrico, Richmond, Powhatan, Goochland, Spotsylvania, Caroline, Middlesex and Charlottesville. Graduates include both career and volunteer personnel.

Hanover Fire-EMS graduates are:

Ryan Bardar, Frank Seay II, Stacy Reaves, Jeremiah R. Sheehan, Brian Russell, Michael Edwards, Mary Peyton Miller, Catherine Dunn, Elizabeth Lemon, Earl Taylor, Stephen Lewia, Daniel Gordon and John Lennon. (Miller, a member of Eastern Hanover Volunteer Fire Station #3, was the class valedictorian with a grade-point average of 97.4.)

Chesterfield Fire/EMS graduates are:

Gerard J. Baines, Bryan S. Bersch, Ryan Bichsel, Todd Bristow, Chris Slusser, Robert E. Talbotts, Paul Patrikus, Tom Perry, Christian Spaulding, Steward Ringwood, Trent Carpenter, Charlie Holland and Thomas Mills.

Other graduates are:

Katherine L. Palmer, David Harding and Tracey Berry of Henrico Fire; Gil Hughes of Powhatan Fire & Rescue; Josh Mullins of Powhatan Volunteer Rescue Squad; Garland Alvey of Richmond; Adam Bennett of Lake Anna Rescue; William Bowser of Chippenham Medical Center; Jackie Shaffer of Forest View Volunteer Rescue Squad; Kristin Hawk and Heather Hoppes of Goochland Fire-Rescue; Sara DeMatteo of Spotsylvania; Kevin Mounts of Center Middlesex; Travis Womble of Caroline; Markus Weisner of Charlottesville Fire; James M. Allred; Carolyn Tosh; Melissa Cunningham ("Best Overall Award"); Cindy Taggart; and Brigitte Combs.

Graduates now must pass the National Registry exam Saturday, May 17. National and state paramedic certifications are required for all volunteer rescue service jobs in the commonwealth of Virginia.

The next paramedic class starts in the fall. Registration is through J. Sargeant Reynolds.

For more information, call Dana Davis of Hanover Fire/EMS at (804) 798-7864.