If you join a volunteer ambulance core, you don't pay for the course but you have to remain a member for at least one year. Most VAC's in nyc are busy. Ridgewood, forest hills, glen oaks, jamaica estates are usually out every night with a lot of calls
edit: I'm currently an EMT and I was the one who asked about the medic program, I decided against the medic program because it really is time consuming, the classes aren't bad but the rotations will kill you. Being an EMT (even if you only ride as a volee) is great experience, you get loads of patient contact and it's a great way to learn how to write quickly/efficiently (damn pcr's!).