Little did I know how much that little decision about a six hour community service requirement would determine my path. Here's a picture of me around the time I joined GOVAC and GOVAC 4 & 5 circa 1994:
Doing EMS work taught me several life lessons. The most important, to me, was the sense of family. This is something that stuck with me my entire career- we take care of our people- PERIOD. The next was compassion- genuine caring and concern for people- recognizing we were seeing people at their worst and making the best of it. One of my partners told me very early on- "don't care who you piss of as long as you are doing the right thing". That sense of integrity in the face of criticism is perhaps one of my strongest traits. Another important lesson- never take anything too seriously...while I joke around quite a lot- I will never quite follow this 100%. I am serious about patients and honor, and unwilling to compromise on either.
I have guardian angels- Mark, Carlos, Bill, and Ben- whose lives were cut short by tragic circumstances. I have had saviors too- people who came to my aid when I couldn't help myself. I realized the people in my professional life all made an impact on me. I have had the honor of working with some of the most talented and intelligent EMS providers, and training some of those who didn't bloom as expected.
I look back on my career, though it continues, and smile, cry, laugh, and shake my head at all the experiences that have made it up. From babies being born to the dying breath of the terminally ill, I have seen a range of illnesses and injuries, people and personalities. We never stop recalling the best and worst moments and never stop with the "war stories" because they can be an invaluable tool.
When I am asked "where were you..." for 9/11, Sandy, Katrina, Irene, the blizzards, plane wrecks, train wrecks...I know precisely how to answer.
My career has had tragedies and triumphs, medals and grievances, saves and losses, accidents, injuries, mayhem and calm- but it has certainly never been dull. I have worked as an EMT, a mental health worker, a dispatcher, an instructor, and a leader- but have never forgotten my purpose- getting help to those who need it. I think I've had a good career so far- how about you?
