By Kendra Evensen
Idaho Falls Post Register (Idaho)
REXBURG, Idaho — Brigham Young University-Idaho junior Jason McGary’s studies didn’t hit home until he interned with Rexburg-Madison County Emergency Services.
Extricating a person from a vehicle amid flashing lights and loud sirens is completely different than studying it in a classroom, the paramedicine major said.
“Its negative 10 degrees outside, and there are other people telling you what to do and yelling at you to ‘Save my daughter,’” he said.
The training can be intense, but it’s doing exactly what an emergency internship program should: It’s giving McGary the hands-on, high-pressure experience he will need following graduation.
“It’s a really good program,” he said, adding that a year of paramedic and fire response experience should help him get a job.
McGary is one of a handful of BYU-Idaho students working at the fire department this semester as part of the 14-month-old internship program.
The partnership between the university and emergency services gives students an opportunity to apply their studies and provides some additional hands in an emergency.
“It gives us one more person per shift,” Emergency Medical Services Chief Mikel Walker said.
Although the students are called interns, there’s no room for “shadows” on emergency calls. They have to deal with emergencies along with the veterans they’re working with.
“They’re right in the thick of things,” Walker said, although he adds the students are never put into a situation they can’t handle. “They’re as nervous as we are, so we make sure not to put them in danger.”
Still, the students have to be able to handle extrication tools, use a fire hose and strap on a breathing apparatus that protects them from smoke.
“If they don’t know it, they’re no good to us,” Walker said.
It’s a difficult test, but one the students are prepared for. Most of the interns are basic-certified EMTs and have passed fire courses before they apply for the scholarship program, said John Lewis, the paramedicine program director at BYU-Idaho.
Although it can be nerve-racking to hear that first emergency call, the training kicks in on scene, said Ashley McNabb, the first female intern in the program, who has responded to heart attacks, car accidents and other emergencies.
There’s nothing better for Brandon Earl, another intern, than feeling the rush that comes when his pager goes off and he hears the sirens, he said.
“It’s a privilege,” he said. “Everyone down there is really great to work with us. They welcome us and make us feel a part of the crew.”
The feeling is mutual.
“Every one of them has been great. They fit right in,"" Walker said, adding that the constant barrage of questions keeps the regular crew on its toes. “It makes us better.”
Upper Valley reporter/editor Kendra Evensen can be reached at 317-7725.
“They’re right in the thick of things. They’re as nervous as we are, so we make sure not to put them in danger.”