Ariel Placeres, AAS

Ariel “Al” Placeres began his professional career in 1991 after enrolling in EMT school at Houston Community College. Upon completing his training, he moved to San Antonio, Texas, where he worked for a small private ambulance service and volunteered as a first responder with the Windcrest Fire Department. In November 1993, Al earned his Paramedic certification and continued serving the San Antonio area until he was hired by Austin EMS (now Travis County EMS) in 1995. He worked in Austin until 1997, primarily as a field medic and occasionally as part of a training crew. Though he enjoyed his time in Austin, Al made the
decision to return to Houston to be closer to family.

In January 1998, Al joined the Houston Fire Department (HFD) as a firefighter/paramedic. His career with HFD was both fulfilling and transformative. Within five years, he was promoted to Engineer Operator/Paramedic. For the next four years, he served as a preceptor for new EMTs and paramedics before transferring to EMS Command at HFD Headquarters, where he joined the Education Group. Over the following five years, Al played a vital role in training every new cadet at the Fire Academy and all newly certified paramedics.

During his time with HFD’s Education Group, Al held various leadership roles. His responsibilities included maintaining equipment at training sites, providing skills instruction, coordinating instructors, and scheduling student clinical rotations across ERs, ICUs, L&D units, ORs, and EMS units. One of his proudest accomplishments was creating the Outside Rider Program, which initially allowed EMT and paramedic students from Houston-area programs to ride along on HFD EMS units. The program later expanded to include nursing and medical students from across the region.

In 2016, while still with HFD, Al became an adjunct EMS skills and preceptor instructor at Houston Community College (HCC). After retiring from the Houston Fire Department in September 2018, he accepted the role of Clinical Coordinator for the HCC EMS Academy in 2019—a position he thoroughly enjoyed.

In June 2021, Al and his wife Michelle relocated to Syracuse, New York, to be closer to her family. Though he was enjoying retirement, Al missed working with students and helping them achieve their goals. When he saw the opportunity to serve as Clinical Placement Coordinator for Le Moyne College’s PA Program, he immediately knew it was the right fit.

Al officially joined the Physician Assistant program at Le Moyne College in November 2021. By the spring of 2022, he was invited to serve as an advisor for the Le Moyne College EMS Agency. Volunteering his time and expertise, Al played a key role in training new EMTs on campus and implementing improvements that elevated the agency’s capabilities. His leadership and dedication led to his appointment as Director of Operations for Le Moyne EMS.

Al is proud to bring the same passion, energy, and commitment that defined his EMS career to his work at Le Moyne College. For him, few things are more rewarding than mentoring and supporting the next generation of healthcare professionals in achieving their goals.