The Lifesaver

    I live across the street from the Harvard Ambulance Service. I grew up watching ambulances from my bedroom window. As they sped away, I always wondered: Where are they going? Who needs their help?

    In middle school, I noticed that some of the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) were teens. I learned that there was a special program for high school students. When I was old enough, I signed up.

    I had to do a lot of training before I got into an ambulance. I learned how to take someone’s pulse and stabilize a broken leg. I learned about poisons, allergic reactions, and heart attacks too.

    The classes were tough. Sometimes I wasn’t sure if I had what it took. But my dad helped me keep going. He would say: “You can do hard things.” He reminded me that the most rewarding things in life are often the hardest.

    I live across the street from the Harvard Ambulance Service, so I grew up watching ambulances from my bedroom window. As they sped away wIth their lights flashing, I always wondered: Where are they going? Who needs their help?

    When I was In middle school, I noticed that some of the EMTs (emergency medical technicians) were teenagers. I learned that there was a special training program for high school students—and as soon as I was old enough, I signed up.

    I had to do extensive training before I even got into an ambulance. I took classes where I learned how to take someone’s pulse and stabilize a broken leg. I also learned about poisons, allergic reactions, and heart attacks.

    Honestly, even just taking the classes was overwhelming. I didn’t always feel confident that I had what it took—but my dad helped me keep going. He would simply say: “You can do hard things.” He reminded me that the most rewarding things in life are often the
 most difficult.

    After passing several tests, I was ready to start riding in the ambulance. For three months, I could only observe. That means I couldn’t care for patients. I learned from watching more-experienced EMTs in action.

    When it was time to do my first shift as an actual EMT, I was so nervous. What if I made a mistake? When you’re dealing with someone who is sick or injured, a mistake could mean life or death. Luckily, though, an EMT is never alone. There’s always a crew of people ready to jump in and help.

    Most of the calls in our small town aren’t very dramatic. Still, it’s always scary to have to call 911. Being the person who responds to that call is a big responsibility. I’ve learned to treat every emergency with the same level of care—whether it’s a terrible car accident or a kid who fell on the playground. 

    To me, being an EMT isn’t just about dealing with a patient’s medical needs. It’s about making that patient feel comfortable and safe too. That means I have to stay calm and confident in scary situations.

    One of the biggest things I’ve taken from my EMT training is dealing with stress. It sounds simple, but focusing on my breathing really helps. I also write in my journal at the end of a hard day. That helps me work through my feelings.

    After passing my tests, I was ready to ride in the ambulance. For three months, I could only observe. That means I couldn’t care for patients. I learned by watching more-experienced EMTs.

    When it was time for my first shift as an actual EMT, I was nervous. What if I made a mistake? When you’re helping someone who is sick or injured, a mistake could mean life or death. Luckily, though, an EMT is never alone. There’s always a crew of people ready to help.

    Most of the calls in our small town aren’t very dramatic. Still, it’s always scary to have to call 911. Responding to that call is a big responsibility. I treat every call with the same level of care, whether it’s a car accident or a kid who fell on the playground.

    To me, being an EMT isn’t just about giving medical care. It’s about making patients feel safe too. That means I have to stay calm and confident in scary situations.

    My EMT training has taught me how to deal with stress. Focusing on my breathing really helps. Ialso write in my journal after a hard day. That helps me work through my feelings.

    After passing several tests, I was ready to start riding in the ambulance. For three months, I could only observe. In other words, rather than caring for patients, I learned from watching more-experienced EMTs in action.

    When it was time to do my first shift as an actual EMT, I was really nervous. What if I made a mistake? When you’re dealing with someone who is sick or injured, a mistake could mean life or death. Fortunately, though, an EMT is never alone. There’s always a crew of people ready to jump in and help.

    Most of the calls in our small town aren’t especially dramatic. Still, it’s always scary to have to call 911, and being the person who responds to that call is a big responsibility. I’ve learned to treat every emergency with the same level of care—whether it’s a terrible car accident or a kid who fell on the playground.

    To me, being an EMT isn’t only about attending to a patient’s medical needs. It’s also about making that patient feel comfortable and safe, which means I have to stay calm and confident in scary situations.

    One of the most important skills I’ve taken from my EMT training is dealing with stress. It sounds simple, but focusing on my breathing really helps.I also write in my journal at the end of a hard day, which helps me work through my feelings.

    I’ll never forget that night on the highway. When we got the patient to the hospital, I stared up at the building. My mentor was driving the ambulance. They looked at me like they knew what I was thinking.

    “You’ll be in there someday, saving lives.”

    I smiled. I never thought I would be an EMT jumping out of an ambulance on the side of the highway. But after that night, it felt like I could do anything.

    Maybe one day I’ll be a nurse or doctor meeting the ambulance at the emergency room. 

    That night on the highway is one I’ll never forget. When we got the patient to the hospital, I stared up at the brightly lit building. My mentor, who was driving the ambulance, looked over at me like they knew exactly what I was thinking.

    “You’ll be in there someday, saving lives.”

    I smiled. I had never imagined I would be one of the first responders jumping out of an ambulance on the side of the highway—but after that night, it felt like I could do anything.

    Maybe one day I’ll be one of the nurses or doctors meeting the ambulance at the emergency room.