Tuesday, October 30, 2007

A Night In the Life Of A Paramedic, calls, boleyn, paramedics - kfdm.com

Local News: A Night In the Life Of A Paramedic, calls, boleyn, paramedics - kfdm.com

It could be a heart attack, car wreck or an accident involving a child. Whatever the call.. paramedics and EMT's tonight are standing by ready to respond.

Acadian Ambulance started in Lafayette, Louisiana in 1971 with only two ambulances.. now it's the largest private ambulance service in the nation... and less than a year ago it expanded to southeast Texas... tonight they took us along for the ride.

"Had about four calls, couple of transfers, couple of emergencies."

But that's not what John Boleyn expects on a night like this.

He said, "Weather plays a lot of factors, in the winter you get a lot of the respiratory calls, rain of course, you get your MVC's, motor vehicle accidents."

These Acadian Ambulance paramedics and emergency medical technicians say the job is stressful, hectic, unpredictable but rewarding.

Boleyn said, "You can't do it for the pay, you've gotta do it for the love of saving lives and helping people."

Even if helping people means answering one of the worst calls...

Boleyn said, "No one likes to run pediatric calls, anything to do with children, those are really the toughest for those that have families."

But there are also happier occasions they'll never forget.

"A year ago this month I delivered a child, those are the calls that make you go home and smile," said Boleyn.

Because its employees play such a crucial role in the community, Acadian is paying for the medics to go to school to become paramedics.

Paramedic Supervisor Jeff Thibodeaux said, "They'll be able to give a higher level of care to the patients they meet and greet everyday."

Whether that meeting is by chance or by choice... these medics say they're ready to answer the call.

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My Real Heroes Shirts & Gifts : CafePress.com

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