A fresh slate of helpful faces joined Boston EMS Friday at their graduation ceremony at Boston Public Library.

“Becoming an EMT or paramedic is an honorable calling. It takes courage, passion and heart to do this job. On every shift, you will have the opportunity to make a difference in the life of someone who needs your help,” said Boston EMS Chief James Hooley.

The 27 new graduates will join a city Emergency Medical Services bureau that handles more than 300 calls every day and more than 138,000 incidents a year according to Hooley, who said the graduates are “now equipped with the skills and knowledge to handle whatever comes your way.”

The recruits went through a full-time and paid training academy program, according to a statement from Mayor Michelle Wu and the the Boston Public Health Commission, in which the graduates responded to more than 3,700 incidents. The academy is in a new 20,000-square foot facility in West Roxbury.

The ceremony also saw the promotion of paramedic Jaclyn Greenwood to deputy superintendent and EMTs Cliff Biggins and Lindsay Robinson to lieutenants.

“Congratulations to the EMTs graduating today. You are joining a department that sets the standard for excellence in care and compassion,” Wu said.

Chief of Boston EMS James Hooley speaks to the crowd gathered for a ceremony to honor 27 graduating EMT recruits and three recent promotions held at Boston Public Library Copley. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)

EMT recruits take the Boston EMS Oath during the Academy Class 2024-1 EMT Gradation and Promotion Ceremony at Boston Public Library Copley. (Libby O’Neill/Boston Herald)