The piercing sound of a siren startled me as I stared blankly at the TV. I struggled to make out the rapid muttering coming from the police radio, “KEP 364 Montville Township First Aid Squad request for ambulance: elderly female with trouble breathing; request for medics.” The room around me began to liven, as my crew chief looked up from her Facebook feed and my driver awoke from his nap. As if it were second nature, the two promptly grabbed their coats and headed out to the garage where the ambulance was ready to depart. I hurried to follow them and took a seat in the back of the rig, frantically trying to recall my cadet training as I embarked on my first emergency call with the First Aid Squad.

To this day, I still feel the same rush on every emergency call we receive. Throughout this past year, I have seen everything from toothaches to motor vehicle accidents to heroin overdoses. I can perform CPR, apply a splint, and take vitals. Even on the uneventful shifts when we don’t receive any calls, I garner immeasurable amounts of knowledge from my crew, a group of people with years of experience as emergency medical technicians. Each week, I find myself immersed in crazy stories of emergency calls or watching demonstrations on how to use the more scarcely utilized equipment on the rig. But perhaps the greatest takeaway from my experience with the First Aid Squad has been my resulting interest in the medical field.

I have witnessed my crew save the lives of beloved mothers, sons, and grandparents. I have experienced first hand the incredible sensation of having the power to truly help people. The First Aid Squad has taught me more than just how to operate a stretcher and stair chair; it has unveiled my passion for medicine, more than any textbook or class could ever accomplish.