Top Left: FSW EMS students respond to a mock emergency scene.
Top Right: Cesar Valencia demonstrates CPR on a mannequin.
Bottom Left: Lee County Critical Care Paramedic, Field Training Officer and FSW alumnus Cesar Valencia
Bottom Right: Lee County EMT and FSW alumnae Ana Sanchez-Carreto
When emergency calls come in across the region, Florida SouthWestern State College (FSW) alumni are among the emergency medical professionals answering the call to protect the families and communities they serve. Lee County Critical Care Paramedic and Field Training Officer Cesar Valencia loves the work, but it wasn’t part of his original plan. He completed the Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and Paramedic programs at FSW to gain experience in a pre-med track. “Someone told me to do EMT to ‘get my feet wet,’” Valencia said. “I did my schooling, got a job, and the rest is history after I fell in love with the career.” Today, he serves the Southwest Florida community as a Critical Care Paramedic and Field Training Officer with Lee County EMS. FSW offers a robust Emergency Medical Services Technology Program with hands-on training scenarios using patient simulators and ambulances to educate and prepare the next generation of emergency responders. The success of the program is reflected in workforce-ready EMTs and paramedics serving throughout the region. “We are incredibly proud to see our graduates serving Southwest Florida with such dedication and compassion,” said Dr. Mary Catherine Faust, dean of FSW’s School of Allied Health. “FSW’s Emergency Medical Services Technology Program is designed to prepare students not only with strong clinical skills, but also with the empathy and adaptability needed to care for people during emergencies and difficult situations.” Valencia credits FSW’s hands-on instruction and real-world training scenarios with helping prepare him for the realities of EMS work. “When I went through school, the instructors based their training scenarios on real events they experienced in the field,” said Valencia. “It prepared me for the fact that the world isn’t always a perfect classroom environment.” He wants to make sure other students get that same experience. So, he returned to FSW as a part-time EMS lab associate and instructor to pass along the same mentorship and support he received as a student. “I wanted to give others the experience I received from my instructors,” Valencia said. “I have a love for this career paired with a respect for the responsibility it carries.” Like Valencia, Lee County EMT Ana Carreto-Sanchez found her path while attending FSW. After completing her associate degree, she enrolled in the EMT program with a desire to work in healthcare. “I saw the EMT program as the perfect steppingstone into healthcare, just in a different setting than a hospital,” explained Carreto-Sanchez. Now an EMT with Lee County EMS for the past five years, Carreto-Sanchez said her training at FSW helped prepare her for both the technical and human side of the profession. “By doing ride-alongs with these departments, you learn the importance of community, duty and pride that becomes a huge part of the lifestyle in EMS,” reflected Carreto-Sanchez. She believes the most meaningful part of the job is being there for people during some of their most difficult moments. “One of the most rewarding parts of working in EMS is being with a patient on their absolute worst day and knowing you can do something about it,” said Carreto-Sanchez. “Not just by offering medical help, but by also being a comfort to that person as a helping hand.” She said empathy, adaptability and compassion are essential qualities for EMS professionals, who often support patients through both medical emergencies and everyday challenges. “We do more than just save lives every day,” noted Carreto-Sanchez. “Sometimes people are scared and just need someone to listen. Those small wins, like helping someone breathe easier or calming them during a panic attack, make our long days worth it.” For both Valencia and Carreto-Sanchez, serving the Southwest Florida community is more than a career — it is an opportunity to give back to the place they grew up and call home. “EMS providers don’t always do the flashy calls, but we always have the chance to care for someone, hold a hand, make a smile and give comfort,” said Valencia. “The most important lesson I try to share with future EMS professionals is the importance of compassion and empathy. During EMS Week, FSW recognizes and thanks alumni like Valencia and Carreto-Sanchez whose compassion, skill and dedication help protect Southwest Florida every day.