A new generation of first responders is hitting the streets of Boston. Twenty new EMTs are starting their careers with Boston EMS, while veteran paramedics step into leadership roles.
I'm Boston 25 News reporter Lisa Gresche on scene here
in Boston where there's a new graduating class of EMTs.
All of them knowing it's heavy and sometimes dangerous work,
but also the most rewarding.
You kept calm under pressure, learned quickly on your feet,
and developed the sharp instincts that save lives.
Mayor Michelle Wu speaking to the newest class of the city's lifeline.
20 new EMTs.
I was just like, this is for me.
Plus, promoted paramedics into leadership positions.
It was hard. It was a lot of sacrifices for me and my family,
but it's really rewarding.
Some with decades of experience responding to Boston's emergencies.
Hey, you're the one that's walking
into somebody's living room at 11 o'clock at night,
and, you know, dad's having trouble breathing,
everyone's looking to help them.
Of course, it's no secret the job comes with its risks.
The union flagging more than 1,000 assaults
on emergency crews in the last year alone.
I agree with our union that there's never a time where you should
be assaulting us, our medics, our staff at all.
That's why safety is a top priority
and incorporated in these recruits' training.
We have a lot of training on safety and how best to properly,
like while respecting the dignity and rights of a human being,
if it is a medical emergency, how we can best help those patients
while protecting ourselves and our partners.
While there's still work to do to send that message that intentionally
harming an EMT or paramedic is absolutely unacceptable
and to make sure violent people are always held accountable.
There should be repercussions for people's actions.
Most choose to keep the focus on why they signed up
for this line of work to begin with.
We do see some pretty tough calls
and we do hold some of those calls with us,
but I think on the flip side of that there are some wonderful calls.
We get to deliver babies, we get to see life come into this world,
so you also remember those moments as well.
All together, the promoted paramedics
have more than 160 years of experience.
Years. They wouldn't trade for anything.
On scene in Boston, I'm Lisa Gresham
for your local station, Boston 25 News.
