'I'll never forget that call ...'

EMS1 Unforgettable Calls is a place where EMS providers from across the country can connect to share their stories about the calls that have stayed with them, everything from responding to a family member's emergency to the memorable moment a patient thanked them for saving their life.

If you'd like to share your story with the EMS1 community, please review our submission guidelines and email editor@ems1.com.

We learn so much from the actions of others, even simply knowing that others have been through similar experiences. Share your dramatic rescues, touch-and-go moments with patients, the humanity of brothers and sisters helping each other after natural disasters – any moment you consider truly unforgettable.

Photo credit: American Ambulance Association

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'Is he trapped?’ A cardiac arrest at the bowling alley

It took police, firefighters and EMS working together to get this patient to the ambulance

Without backup and preparing for an imminent delivery

A volunteer firefighter/paramedic was in the right place at the right time for an expectant mother and her visiting family
FDIC 2023 Quick Take: Brushes with death

FDNY Battalion Chief Daniel Sheridan shares the unforgettable close calls that have given him pause
‘We knew then, shots were being fired’

Five years after the Route 91 Harvest Festival MCI, a paramedic reflects on a frightening moment, and the lessons learned

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How a 'perfect storm' of events led EMS providers to saving an unconscious driver from a burning vehicle
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Paramedic Shea Lathrum and EMT Brandon Busch were returning from an out-of-county transport when they saw a car leave the roadway and catch fire
Human performance under extreme stress: The EMS connection
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How to best manage our high-stress, time-compressed working conditions to control fight-or-flight response
'I will never forget this one'
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An AEMT recalls a response to what appeared to be a stroke, which turned into a chest pain scenario
Treating family, friends in rural EMS
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Band employee jumps in a swamp to assist with cardiac arrest
Texas EMS providers give firsthand account of rescuing 6, reviving baby after winter crash
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Acadian Paramedic Heather Waites and EMT Ryan Wilkenfeld were recently awarded for their actions after witnessing the crash
‘A career event’: Traffic incident management in 130-vehicle pileup
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Breaking down police, fire rescue, EMS roles in a traffic incident management system
'It was like jumping into a fireplace': How a CO and former EMT saved a driver engulfed in flames
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Daniel O'Beirne and Jordan Reed, two strangers with fire and EMS backgrounds, worked together to save a driver whose semi-truck struck a pole and burst into flames
Saving one of their own: FF-EMT's close call highlights importance of not ignoring warning signs
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Bob Stanczyk was putting out hot spots when he noticed discomfort in his left shoulder; alerting EMTs he didn't feel right saved his life
‘If I’m ever questioning my purpose in life, I think about this day’
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A serendipitous stop at a drive-in leads to saving a young man experiencing V-fib – and a new friendship