By Laura French
NEW ORLEANS — Acadian Ambulance has partnered with the Lousiana NAACP to launch a new scholarship program that will provide full tuition for EMT students.
The program, established in honor of the contributions of Acadian Ambulance’s African American members, will fund the training of 40 EMT students in the New Orleans area, with the company planning to soon extend the opportunity to students in Lake Charles, Houma, Baton Rouge and Alexandria.
“We believe this initiative is so much more than workforce development. This is an opportunity for caring individuals to enter a fulfilling and rewarding career in emergency medicine and care for their fellow citizens,” Acadian Chairman and CEO Richard Zuschlag said in a statement. “We are grateful to partner with the NAACP to specifically reach out to the African American community to offer these scholarships.”
Scholarship recipients will be enrolled in a 14-week hybrid course conducted by Acadian’s National EMS Academy, which is accredited through the South Louisiana Community College system. The course begins April 1 and includes online, on-demand and in-person EMT classes.
“The NAACP Lousiana State Conference is excited to partner with Acadian Ambulance to bring economic development, human development and community development to all parts of Louisiana with the start of this great program. People who are trained and gainfully employed are better able to care for themselves and their families. In doing so, they uplift their communities,” said Louisiana NAACP State Conference President Dr. Michael McClanahan, in a statement. “This is a win/win for the whole State. And New Orleans is the best place to kick it off.”
Acadian Ambulance also honored its longest-serving African American members in recognition of Black History Month.
“We take great pride in being an inclusive company with a diverse workforce. Since our founding in 1971, the contributions of our African American employees have been, and continue to be, an integral reason for our company’s growth and success and we offer these scholarships in honor of them,” Zuschlag stated. “As Black History Month comes to a close and we are nearing our 50th anniversary serving the people of Louisiana, we are proud to recognize our African American former and current employees with twenty or more years of service that have greatly impacted and continue to impact not only our success but our culture here at Acadian.”