A little about my husband !
Written by cindywilkins27
Posted on Monday, March 31, 2008 at 01:57 PM.
I have been a volunteer for almost 13 years now. I volunteer for a local rescue squad, and have volunteered for fire departments as well. I have come across many different people who volunteer over the years, they also volunteer for the purpose to help the community that they live in.
There are many different aspects to this line of work. The people who volunteer come from many different backgrounds; there are nurses, doctors, lawyers, business men, and career paramedics. The career paramedics are the ones who work for a fire department, and then volunteer in their local community. In todayâs world most people who do this are cross trained in fire and rescue.
The training is the same for everyone. One of the drawbacks is that itâs long and challenging. Everyone starts at the basic level and works their way up to paramedic. The basic class is 100 hours, and the paramedic class is 1500 hours. Most places you work now are going toward the two year college program, because they are trying to attract young people to the field. There are night classes for those who donât want a degree, but it could take up to five years to reach the paramedic level that way. The training doesnât stop there; there are specialty classes that most agencies require. Then there is continuing education, if you donât get your continuing education you have to start all over at the beginning.
Once you are past the training you get to help people in their hour of need. This could be anything from someone being lonely to the gory car accidents. This is what draws most people to this line of work, the ability to help others. It is very satisfying knowing that you made a difference in someoneâs life, and that a simple thank you makes you feel like you won the lottery. Most people that I know and work with donât look at working around a crashed car or a house that is on fire as a danger. We all look at it as what we were called to do! Itâs that same calling that out ways the risks by far, and all we need is a thank you. Most people you might ask would say that itâs hard to explain why they do it; they just have the love and the calling.
As an active volunteer there are may different aspects, itâs those same aspects that get people hooked. Itâs the great feeling they have at the end of the day that keeps bringing them back. Like I said it is hard to explain, so if you have the time visit your local rescue squad or fire department. You will be made part of their family as soon as you walk in the door!
