My Road to First Response

Currently, my primary goal is to become an EMT. Helping others in unique ways has always been a driving force in my life. Initially, I pursued a career in the military, drawn to its noble mission. However, due to medical reasons—specifically, my peanut allergy—I was deemed unfit to serve. Despite this setback, I sought out a different yet equally challenging and meaningful path: becoming an EMT.

To become an EMT, I enrolled in two required courses at my local school, Napa Community College: EMT-90 First Responder and EMT-95 Emergency Medical Technician. The courses were led by Greg Scott Rose and Monica Ferreira, both experienced Paramedics who have served the Napa Community for several years. We were fortunate to have skilled instructors, including EMTs and paramedics, who guided us in developing the necessary skills for EMT competence.

We learned through a combination of lectures, where course material was covered, and hands-on skill labs, where we applied what we learned. By the end of the course, we acquired skills such as conducting medical/trauma patient assessments, providing oxygen and ventilation as needed, managing bleeding, shock, and cardiac arrest situations, and immobilizing patients to restrict movement to protect their limbs and/or spine.

The classes were very in depth with a large amount information that had to be internalized but thankfully we were given several opportunities to ask for help and practice what we needed to work on. We also had a couple opportunities to volunteer as victims in some training drills meant for the local fire and EMS agencies which proved as fun learning experiences and a chance to see up close how a mass casualty incident would be handled. I always made it a point to make sure I was constantly asking for questions in class for clarification as well as work with classmates to get in as much extra practice as possible. This all came in handy for both the mandatory 12-hour each ambulance ride along and ER room observatory period.

After completing both courses, we were congratulated and informed about the next steps needed to apply for jobs as EMTs. I needed to take the National Registry exam, apply to a local EMS agency for state certification, and obtain an Ambulance driving certification from the DMV. After conquering the challenges and learning experiences in school, the NREMT exam, which many of my peers struggled with, felt surprisingly manageable. Though initially nervous, once I sat down for the exam, I was confident that success was inevitable. Fortunately, my confidence paid off, and I received my certification within just a few days.

With all the hard stuff out of the way, I only needed to apply for state certification with my local EMS agency and complete the written ambulance exam, both of which had quick turnarounds. Now equipped with all the necessary qualifications, I'm eager to begin applying for jobs and embark on this fulfilling career. I look forward to continuing my learning journey in this field and making a positive impact on as many lives as possible.