It’s no secret that EMS takes both a physical and emotional toll, so it’s great to hear about Kay Palmer, 73, who works as a full-time respiratory therapist and an on-call EMT for Geneseo (Ill.) ambulance services, even sleeping at the station.
She’s also the service’s twice-monthly training instructor, and has been a CPR instructor for 30 years.
“I don’t feel I’m always exhausted, even at this age. Even when I run, run, run,” she told the Dispatch Argus. “Oh yeah, this is 24 hours a day. We get called all the time. [EMTs] miss their children’s events, family events, Christmases, holidays. People don’t realize the dedication that our team provides the community. My family’s grown up knowing you’re an EMT. They almost expect you to be called out at family gatherings.”
She also commented on the precision involved in EMS, including starting oxygen, attaching a heart monitor, starting an IV and spiking a fluid bag, and how important it is for providers to work together as part of a team – that is really so much more.
“They’re like family,” she said. “They’re all like family.”
