Emergency Medical Technician Research Paper

As most boys growing up I always admired police officers, emergency medical services, and firefighters. At a young age I already knew what I wanted to do for a career, even if that dream drifted away for a while. I chose to work in public safety for multiple reasons that include helping people and experiencing a bit of adrenaline on a regular basis. It is a tough field that has many rewards if you are willing to put in the personal sacrifices. I am a paramedic, firefighter, dive master, and member of a swat team. It is somewhat typical that if you choose a single field of public safety that you will eventually work or be affiliated with other departments. I also hold an instructor licensure in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), first aid,

Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC), Prehospital Trauma Life Support (PHTLS), Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), and Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS).

All branches of public safety tend to involve a high stress environment and it takes the right personality traits to handle these situations appropriately.
My mother accompanied me to the University of Arkansas Fort Smith to assist me in signing up for college classes. “The most natural way to organize the events of a narrative, of course, is chronologically.” (K. Flachmann and M. Flachmann 110). I looked over the course catalog and degree plans and saw a course for emergency medical technician (E.M.T.). I knew immediately that was what I was taking. I was in for rude awakening when class started. It was much more difficult and time consuming than I could have imagined. I did well in high school, and that still didn’t prepare me for the commitment for emergency medical training. I finished school, but you had to be at least twenty one years old to work for an ambulance service. I went to

school off and on over the next couple years while working various jobs until I was hired at an ambulance service as a dispatcher. To my disbelief I was hired on the spot without having any previous experience. I worked in the dispatch center answering 911 calls, and learned that working in dispatch wasn’t for me. About a year passed by and before an opening on one of the ambulances came available and I was chosen for it. As soon I started to work on the streets I knew that this type of work was for me. Typically an emergency medical technician or (E.M.T.) drives the ambulance while a paramedic is in charge and does almost all of the patient care. I worked a couple years and got some experience before starting my paramedic school journey. School was rough and required dedication. On the first day of class we had thirty students, but two years later only six of us actually graduated paramedic school and passed the national licensing tests. “Narration involves telling a story that is often based on personal experience.” (K. Flachmann and M. Flachmann 104).
Being involved with the dive team was an option, and I had always been curious about scuba diving.

Breathing under the water for the first time was an experience I will never forget. After completing my initial certification I was hooked, and worked all the way to receive my license as a dive master. It wasn’t long before I had more training than everyone else on the team and I was asked to take the

program.
I was able to test and be a part of the swat team as an operator that doubled as a medical officer. I was once again out of my comfort zone and had no idea what all was involved in tactical law enforcement. I was accepted to the program as long as I completed a reserve deputy program and attended the two week Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) swat school.
A fire chief for a paid volunteer department asked me to join the fire department in town and it was an easy decision. I figured since I was already involved with everything else that I might as well get some more training. The amount of training, work, dedication, and knowledge I had to learn to become a certified as a firefighter was much more intense than I ever would have thought.
It is often difficult working in public service, but it can also be self-rewarding. I’ve seen things that I can never forget, good or bad. I have witnessed miracles and tragedies. I feel it is important to give back to your community and help people that need it. Bryan Groda