By Xavier Martin
News-Topic
CALDWELL COUNTY, N.C. — The sound of cards hitting the table can be heard as a paramedic and his partner play a game in between calls.
Outside, in the bay, creaking can be heard as the ambulances’ engines and pipes, branching out like veins, cool down after being on the road. All is quiet throughout the Emergency Medical Services base.
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Suddenly, the silence is interrupted by the sound of a low-pitched tone, followed by a louder high-pitched note, long and drawn out, as it pierces through the air. A blue emergency light, attached to the wall, brightly flashes and rotates. The sound of the dispatcher’s voice can be heard echoing through the garage, informing the crew of their next assignment and where it’s taking place.
The pair jump up, their game forgotten, attach their radios to their belts and rush out the door to their ambulance. The engine roars to life and the truck’s red lights illuminate its white exterior. As they pull away from the base, the high-pitched wail from the ambulance resonates across the neighborhood.
This is a taste of what any given moment of paramedic Zac Bumgarner’s day may look like.
“The constant adrenaline rush, helping people on their worst day ... just being able to see the impact that not only I can make, but that EMS in general, can make on someone’s worst day,” Bumgarner said.
The 21-year-old from Lenoir was named Caldwell County EMS Paramedic of the Year on Monday evening’s board of commissioners meeting.
Over 100 of his peers voted for him back in May. Caldwell County EMS Director Trevor Key presented him with the award.
“He’s very, very well-liked by his peers, willing to chip in at any time, to do any type of extra work, come in and staff whatever needs to be [done],” Key said.
Bumgarner grew up in Caldwell County. Throughout high school, he wanted to become a physical therapist, but joined the Hudson Fire Department when he was 18 years old. While he was training to become a firefighter, he earned his Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification and soon left the fire department.
“I’d been on for almost a year, I think, and then I started my paramedic course, and had to kind of let that go, just due to how much time I had spent in class,” Bumgarner said.
Bumgarner completed the schooling and field hours required to become a certified paramedic through Caldwell Community College. He began as a full-time employee with Caldwell County EMS on Aug. 1, 2023. In addition to being a paramedic, he works part-time with the Little River Fire Department and volunteers with the Kings Creek Fire Department .
“I became a paramedic when I was 20 years old. The funny thing is, I wasn’t even legally able to buy any alcohol yet, Bumgarner said. “Your life is in my hands, like that was kind of crazy to me.”
When he’s not out saving lives, Bumgarner is active in helping bring future paramedics to Caldwell County.
“He’s always willing to step up and volunteer to go do the like job fairs. He does a lot with the recruitment aspects of our job,” Caldwell County EMS Capt. Corey Bansett said.
Over the past two years, Bumgarner has grown and become more confident in his role and assists in training some of the newer paramedics and EMTs that start at the agency.
“He’s been helpful in a lot of things, because I’m a basic EMT, so every little thing I learn is helpful,” Hunter Gragg said. “I always learn something.”
Bumgarner attributes his success to the guidance of his leadership and partners over the year. Capt. Blansett , Sgt. Jimmy Gillman and paramedic Sarah Morris have been a big part of his growth in EMS.
“At work, he wants to learn. He wants to be that sponge. It’s really a breath of fresh air to have someone that enjoys the job like that. He’s on the right track to be able to make a career out of this, and not necessarily just as a stepping stone,” Capt. Blansett said.
Bumgarner plans to finish his career at Caldwell County EMS. He lives with his wife, Carter Bumgarner, and their miniature poodle, Charlie.
“Just hopefully working my way up the totem pole. Eventually, I’d like to be some type of officer in this agency, but I don’t have any plans of leaving here,” Bumgarner said. “I mean, it’s home. I’ve lived here for my whole life, so there ain’t no reason to leave.”
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