As a certified emergency medical technician for the Glen Rock Volunteer Ambulance Corps, my experience volunteering is one that I could not have gotten anywhere else. I decided to join the GRVAC (the abbreviation for our corps) as a sophomore when I finally turned 16, allowing me to register for EMT classes. What made me want to join initially was the need to give back to my community in a role that required a physical presence. Being born and growing up in Glen Rock my whole life, it finally felt like time to give back to the community that gave me so much from a young age till even now and it has been the best decision of my life. This, along with my interest to one day pursue a medical career made being an EMT seem like a perfect introduction to the medical field.
There are two ways to volunteer at the GRVAC either as a driver or an EMT. Since you are only able to drive our rigs (ambulances) starting at 18 years old, in order to volunteer as a minor, you must become an EMT. Becoming an EMT requires around 200 hours in courses, as well as passing the course, a couple hours volunteering in hospital ERs, and passing the National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians (NREMT) exam. Many students at GRHS have become EMTs by either taking the course over the summer or during the school year, which is what I did and is totally accomplishable.
As an EMT, you are constantly placed in positions where you are expected to fully care for another person in a setting that can be scary as anything. This experience serves as an adrenaline rush like no other. Oftentimes, I get asked how exciting my calls can truly be living in a quiet town like Glen Rock but only after I’ve been serving in the corps did I realize how many things truly happen without my knowledge. I’ve responded to various respiratory distresses, extremity injuries, drug overdoses, and car accidents: some involving multiple cars, on busy streets or highways, and one of which required a decontamination team.
In light of this, to be honest, being an EMT is not for everyone, especially those who don’t handle blood or anything too gory well. However, if you feel that you want to make a difference within your town and help those in need, think of this as your calling. Nothing compares to the rewarding feeling a patient gives you when they express gratitude for your care and knowing that you did everything in your power to help them. For those interested in pursuing a career in the medical field, becoming an EMT is a great introduction into patient care roles and working with others in the medical field. Almost every call ends with a trip to the emergency room where you work first hand with nurses and ER doctors during your transfer of care. Additionally, the friendships that you create with fellow members of the corps are lifelong ones. Last year, the GRVAC squad came to support all of my sectional playoff games during the basketball season epitomizing the idea of being one big supportive and loving family. All the members of the squad are citizens of Glen Rock who have been supporting this community behind the scenes and would love extra support in order to keep Glen Rock happy and safe.
So what happens next? After becoming an EMT, you are not restricted to the GRVAC or other ambulance corp borders. Some high school members have gone on to continue volunteering as EMTs for their college emergency response group or neighboring services, which I plan on doing after graduating from GRHS. A lot of our younger members have an interest in pursuing a career in the medical field and use the skills they learned volunteering to continue that pursuit. Others who are pursuing other career paths or have other full time jobs become EMT life members and continue to serve their community. Regardless, becoming an EMT opens up so many opportunities whether you know what’s in your future or not.
