From EMT to UPD: Officer Bart Cohen ('07)

 

When most people his age were plotting weekend trips to the mall or hanging out with friends, Bart Cohen was helping to save lives as an emergency medical technician � while still in high school. Cohen, who graduated from the University at Albany in 2007 with a degree in sociology, is now a University Police Department (UPD) Officer and medical first responder, whose job it is to help and protect UAlbany students.

"The ability to change hats from student to police officer, using the experiences I gained at UAlbany to both protect and educate the University community, is extremely fulfilling," said Cohen, a native of Nanuet, N.Y.

In addition to responding to medical emergencies, Cohen is able to update Five Quad Volunteer Ambulance Service with important information while they are responding. This is not new terrain for him, since he served in a number of leadership roles with UAlbany's all-volunteer student-run ambulance service when he was a student.

Cohen joined the Nanuet Community Ambulance Corps while still in high school as an EMT, and found he enjoyed the excitement of the job and the camaraderie.

He chose UAlbany for its size and proximity to an urban center. Cohen knew students who had had a positive experience with the University, and he knew he would also be able to continue his role as an EMT while pursuing his degree.

"Bart is a young professional who is loaded with ability and potential,� said UPD Chief J. Frank Wiley. �He has a complete and unusual skill set that permits him to offer advanced service to this community. He is an asset to our department and I'm extremely pleased to have him on this team. He is a very tangible example of the high quality of our graduates." 

Today, during his off hours, Cohen continues to volunteer as a firefighter for the Westmere Fire Department in Guilderland, N.Y.

 

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