About City EMT & City Dispatch

Two career-training programs, one shared mission: opening real public-safety careers to young adults in San Francisco.

Our story

Established 2018

City EMT is a San Francisco–based nonprofit organization providing first responder workforce development training to young adults aged 18–24 in an expanded, four-month EMT curriculum. City Dispatch is a separate sister program preparing candidates for 911 dispatcher careers in San Francisco and Oakland.

Both programs operate under Dustys' Fishing Well, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as their legal parent and fiscal sponsor.

Mission

Why we exist

To increase career awareness by providing accessible opportunities within the Allied Healthcare Industry.

Vision

What we're building toward

City EMT is designed to address issues of poverty, violence, and unemployment by training at-risk Transitional Age Youth into EMT careers to build cultural affinity between first responders and the community.

Source: City EMT Cohort #11 Student Handbook, Feb 2026.

Core values

What drives our work

Confirmed against the Cohort #11 Student Handbook — “Preserverance” on the live site is a typo; the correct value is Perseverance.

Value

Freedom

Value

Fearlessness

Value

Perseverance

Wrap-around support

Case management & community partnerships

Through partnerships with vital community organizations, we offer case management, life coaching, mental health services, housing-stability support, food and nutrition assistance, and help establishing employment viability through criminal background reviews.

Meet the team

Our Team

Attica Bowden

Founder / Executive Director

A San Francisco native, born and raised in the Fillmore, Western Addition neighborhood. After 25 years working with the San Francisco Fire Department, she retired from her position as Chief, Assistant Fire Marshal in the Fire Prevention Division. She lives in the East Bay with two of her children. There is no greater joy for her than the ability to give youth from the community that raised her exposure to career pathway opportunities in Allied Health Care.

Antione Davis

Advisor / Mentor Liaison

Mr. Davis is a Bay Area native and a Captain with the San Francisco Fire Department, and received his Bachelor's of Arts in Legal Studies from UC Berkeley. He is an alum of EMS Corps, the Alameda County Career Pathways in Emergency Medical Services Program that City EMT is modeled from. There is endless energy in his commitment to the City EMT team in bringing its vision and program goals to fruition.

Kristine Roach-Hyson

Director of Programs

I am the Director of Programs for Dustys' Fishing Well and have been with the organization since City EMT started in 2021. I was born and raised in San Francisco's Bayview District, and my connection to the community continues to inspire my commitment to creating opportunities for others.

I began my journey with City EMT as a part-time Administrative Assistant and have grown with the organization into my current leadership role. I am passionate about creating meaningful education and career opportunities for individuals pursuing careers in emergency medical services. Through my work, I focus on developing programs, supporting students, strengthening workforce pathways, and building partnerships that connect participants to real career opportunities.

As a mother of two, I understand the importance of building strong communities and creating opportunities for future generations. I am proud to serve the city I call home and remain committed to helping prepare and support the next generation of EMS professionals.

Arielle Gonyeau

Program Director

Arielle Gonyeau, a San Francisco native, has over 10 years of experience in the nonprofit sector and is passionate about helping individuals achieve their educational and career goals. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from San Francisco State University and currently serves as the Program Director for City EMT, where she supports staff, oversees day-to-day program operations, and provides mentorship, support, and career guidance to program participants. A proud “boy mom,” Arielle enjoys spending time with her son and traveling in her free time.

Adam Babendir

Lead Instructor

With more than 20 years in emergency medicine, I've had the privilege of serving in nearly every corner of EMS—from private ambulance services working as both an EMT and paramedic, to the emergency room as well as volunteer and wildland firefighting. For the past 11 years, I've proudly served with the San Francisco Fire Department. My journey with City EMT began in Cohort 3 as a skills volunteer, continued full-time as Clinical Coordinator with Cohort 6, and today I'm honored to serve as Lead Instructor. The most rewarding part of my career is mentoring the next generation of EMS professionals and helping students discover their confidence, purpose, and potential. “The best part of teaching is learning,” ~ Babs

Jaime Pineda

Clinical Coordinator

I was born and raised in San Francisco and have dedicated more than 20 years to Emergency Medical Services, including the past decade serving as an EMT with the San Francisco Fire Department. After responding to thousands of 911 emergencies, I developed a passion for mentoring and preparing the next generation of EMS professionals.

As the Clinical Coordinator for City EMT, I focus on connecting classroom education with real-world patient care, helping students build the confidence, professionalism, and clinical judgment needed to succeed in emergency medicine.

I am also active in community outreach and mentorship through organizations such as Los Bomberos, Listos, and the Latino Task Force. My teaching philosophy centers on accountability, teamwork, compassion, and lifelong learning. I strive to ensure every student is prepared not only to pass the National Registry examination, but to provide safe and compassionate care to every patient.

Nayeli Veloz

CPR Program Director

I have lived in San Francisco for most of my life and grew up between the Tenderloin, Mission, Ingleside, and Excelsior neighborhoods. Growing up in these diverse communities inspired my passion for ensuring that everyone has access to life-saving skills and the knowledge needed to respond in an emergency.

I am dedicated to making CPR education accessible to everyone by bringing CPR certification classes directly to communities throughout San Francisco. Through this work, I help people gain the knowledge, skills, and confidence to respond during emergencies and potentially save a life.

I am proud to serve the city I call home and remain committed to building safer, stronger, and more prepared communities—one CPR class at a time.

Vanessa Brown

Lead Case Manager

Vanessa is a San Francisco–based Case Manager who specializes in supporting students through personalized guidance, structured resources, and compassionate communication. She thrives in roles that blend organization with human connection, ensuring every student feels seen, supported, and empowered. As a mom of two, she brings a family-centered perspective to her work, approaching every challenge with patience, empathy, and a genuine commitment to helping others succeed.

Seu Ufau

Assistant Case Manager

My name is Seuiolotoi (Seu) Ufau, a proud San Francisco native, City EMT Cohort 6 alumnus, and certified EMT with a passion for helping others and giving back to the communities that shaped me. As the Alumni Case Manager at City EMT, I am dedicated to supporting graduates by connecting them with resources, career opportunities, and ongoing mentorship. I believe in creating pathways for others to succeed and am committed to making a positive impact through service, leadership, and community engagement.

Jonathan Olvera

Administrative Assistant

I'm a proud San Francisco native with a passion for serving my community and helping others. I currently work as the Administrative Assistant at City EMT, where I support our mission of building stronger, more prepared communities through emergency management training. I enjoy being someone others can count on, and I'm always looking for opportunities to learn, grow, and make a positive impact.