Editor’s note: We’re pleased to unveil the second runner-up in our 2012 contest to mark EMS Week! Check out the rest of our finalists here.
By Hunter Young, EMT/firefighter
I had always been interested in helping others. I could be helping my parents around the house, helping my friends fix their bikes or filling sandbags at the fire station down the street during a storm.
I had a feeling I was meant to assist others but didn’t know at what capacity. I figured becoming a teacher would satisfy my desire to help.
I had small brushes with EMS while still on the path to being a teacher. I once helped keep a young family member from drowning in the waves at the beach; I had another run-in when there was a head-on vehicle accident near my house and I did what I could to help.
But my EMS calling came on a cold northern California night. I was outside of a friend’s house during a large party when I heard the screaming and hysterical cries. Without second-thinking it, I sprinted toward the commotion.
I started up the wide 20-step front entrance as the doors flung open and the group of over 60 people decended down on me, trying to run from where my feet were taking me.
I heard a quick murmur of “stabbing” and “it’s Chris!”
I found myself in the kitchen looking down at my friend Chris face-down covered in blood. He had been stabbed multiple times.
I instantly ordered someone to call 911 and had another person find me some scissors. We cut off the blood-soaked shirt as Chris lay silent.
There was a total of 13 deep stab wounds all around his torso.
Along with two other friends, I did what I could, which wasn’t much. Chris died in my arms, right there in the kitchen.
After the incident, many of my friends gave me kudos, which I waved off because Chris was dead. What had I done?
They reminded me that as everyone ran away, I ran in and gave him a chance. Someone suggested I take an EMT class.
That was 6 years ago. I’ve been assisting that same EMT program for 10 semesters, working as a reserve firefighter for more than a year and have been a full-time EMT on an ALS ambulance for 4.5 years, where I’m working as an Field Training Officer and EVOC instructor.
This is where I’m supposed to be; it’s my calling. When the tone goes off or someone needs help, I strive to be the one who can help. I feel it inside me. EMS is my calling.
Hunter Young has been working as an EMT for AMR in Monterey County, Calif., the past 4 years. Also an FTO and EVOC instructor, he is a senior teaching assistant for Cabrillo College EMT program in Aptos, Calif., and a paid reserve firefighter for North Monterey County Fire Protection District. He grew up in Santa Cruz, Calif., surfing, biking, doing school sports and Boy Scouts, achieving Eagle Scout at 17, where his leadership and love for helping others in the community started. Now he spends off days with his girlfriend and their puppy.