MACEDONIA, Ohio — An Ohio paramedic with the Macedonia Fire Department will be one of the medical staff members providing care at the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
Matt Harman, 25, received his paramedic certification in 2011 from Akron General Medical Center’s Paramedic Education Program. He has been working for local fire departments and Hudson EMS for the past several years.
Harman decided to take his skills abroad after seeing a posting for a job providing medical support for the Winter Olympics in 2014, but he said that didn’t pan out. In August 2014, he applied to work as a paramedic at the upcoming Summer Olympics in Rio, and was eventually accepted. He is now scheduled to leave for Brazil next month.
“It’s a once-in-a-lifetime thing,” Harman said. “I thought it would be a pretty cool adventure.”
Having listed mountain biking as one of his areas of interest on his application, Harman will be stationed for four days at Deodoro X-Park to attend the Olympic mountain bike competition. He said he enjoys mountain biking himself, and is looking forward to watching the competition.
Harman told the Nordonia Hills News Leader that the his hotel and local transportation fees would be paid for while in Rio de Janeiro. Paramedics will also be given meals while working and supplied with uniforms.
Volunteers from all over the world will be working the games.
Harman said he looks forward to meeting the athletes, watching the events and being present for the closing ceremonies on Aug. 21.