Anyone who’s known Ryan Ferber since he was young can only imagine that the 8-year-old version of NDP’s EMT and Dispatcher would likely be MORE than pleased with how his life has taken shape! Ryan has always led with a good heart, an infectious love of life, and a deep desire to be of service to others. His life choices are a direct reflection of those qualities, and will no doubt continue to be in the decades to come.
Before even graduating from Rhinebeck High School - which he did in 2021 during the global pandemic - Ryan had already become a certified Emergency Medical Technician, certified interior firefighter, and entrepreneur. Today, he works as an enthusiastic part of our team at NDP EMS - as both an EMT and a dispatcher. As if that wasn’t enough, Ryan has balanced his professional responsibilities with coursework; he’s just credits away from earning his Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Marist College this year - and he’s done this while serving the community as EMS Lieutenant for Rhinebeck Fire Department and completing much of the training and requirements needed to achieve his ultimate goal, which is become a New York State Trooper.
We caught up with Ryan recently to learn more.
Ryan, at what point did you know you wanted to pursue volunteer and work opportunities in the field of emergency services?
When I was in preschool, I met the mom of one of my friends, who was a New York State Trooper. I remember seeing her dressed in uniform, driving in the police vehicle, and I just knew I wanted to do the same thing for a living. That dream stayed with me from that point on, right through my elementary, middle, and high school years. So when my friend Tom Beichert encouraged me to join the Rhinebeck Fire Department as a volunteer, I said, “OF COURSE! YES!”
I knew that volunteering for the RFD would be a great way to get my foot in the door in the field of emergency services - and it really did. I was only 16 years old when I signed up, and it was really the official start of it all. The experience also fulfilled my mandatory community service requirements at school - but I would’ve done it anyway! I’m still an active volunteer with Rhinebeck Fire Department - and now I serve in a leadership role as EMS Lieutenant. Getting involved was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made in my life, and it led me to NDP EMS.
So how did you land at NDP EMS?
In 2020, I had the chance to take the NDP EMS EMT training class, which was hosted by Bard College. If you’re part of a squad like the Rhinebeck Fire Department, the cost of your course can be covered, which was the case for me. Because it was being held during the pandemic, it took longer than it would usually take - our classes were held virtually on Zoom but we did our labs in person with masks on and practiced social distancing. So they made it all work, and I became certified as an EMT officially in May of 2021, a month before high school graduation. By then I had also gotten certified as an interior firefighter - so I was gaining a lot of knowledge in various aspects of emergency services. And I had a landscaping business which I owned and operated - so it was a busy time!
In December of 2021, I started working at NDP EMS. I knew many of the people there because we were often on the same calls when I was volunteering at the fire department, and I knew it would be a great fit for me.
Where do you get your energy for all of this, Ryan?
Ha! I don’t even drink coffee! Honestly I really just love what I do and want to be helpful to people. If I can be the light in someone else’s day, then it’s all worth it - even when I feel sleep-deprived or exhausted. I truly love going to work. Everyone needs help sometimes; I want to be the person to jump in and be there. I even love the 24-hour shifts I pick up. All of this work gives you a sense of real purpose. I feel really lucky to do it.
What has it been like to build your career right in your hometown?
It’s really great. In many cases, I end up on calls with people who have been part of my life forever - the adults I was raised around, classmates from school, and people I just know from our community. And then there are many times where I’m meeting people for the very first time of course - which is also so nice. But when I get to help people who know me, it makes me feel really good knowing that there’s an extra layer of trust. And that’s what’s really rewarding about working in the place where you spent your life; I’ve even taken calls at the high school and when I walk in there’s a camaraderie with former teachers and administrators and the students.
What do you most love about working with NDP EMS?
It’s a GREAT place to work. NDP is a very family-oriented company - we all care about each other and it makes working here feel really comfortable and connected. There’s no ‘corporate’ experience. We all know the supervisors and leadership and they treat us all like family. Everyone is approachable, relatable, and works as part of the same team…we’re all here because we want to help others. And we have fun - we all genuinely look forward to spending time together.
Talk to me about the quality of life that comes with life as part of the team at NDP EMS.
It’s an experience like no other - even though we’re based out of Rhinebeck, I also work out of Livingston a lot - and the Hudson Valley routes are ALL beautiful - those towns, along with Millerton, Connecticut….every area that NDP covers has beautiful landscapes and we get to see all of these roads when we go out on calls. It makes work that much more enjoyable knowing that we’re out experiencing the region every day.
Also, at NDP, we have a chance to set up our work lives in the way that works best for each of us. There are per diem, part-time, and full-time options, and I’ve flexed out my schedule easily whenever needed to make room for my college classes and other responsibilities. I can’t imagine balancing school, business, volunteering at the fire department, and pursuing my dream of becoming a NY State Trooper if I didn’t have this setup. I feel like it’s given me a healthy balance and they’ve been so helpful to me. I’m so lucky to be here so that I CAN do all of these things.
Can you sum up the workplace atmosphere like at NDP in 3 words?
Caring. Supportive. Rewarding!
It really is an incredible place to work and the people are wonderful. I’m so thankful for NDP EMS - and along with the fire department, for the experience it gives me, which will help me make my dream of becoming a NY State Trooper come true. If I didn’t want to become a Trooper, I’d keep doing exactly what I’m doing at NDP for the rest of my life! I feel very lucky to be here and I would recommend this career path to anyone who wants a great quality of life and really hopes to be helpful in their community. The service aspect of what we do is everything. I love it. Every day.
For more information on career and training opportunities at NDP EMS, visit ndpems.com or call 845.876.0448 X136.