Saving lives one day at a time: Jones overcomes challenges as EMT

Senior Katelyn Jones’s dedication to saving lives is why she is an EMT for Abingdon Fire Company.
Jones has always be interested in the field of medicine and being at the front of an intense event, including car crashes. The intensity fuels Jones’s adrenaline.
“I became an EMT because I enjoy meeting new people and being able to practice medicine,” said Jones.
According to Jones, her job can be frightening at times because the medic team and her are under an immense amount of stress and have to determine how to save a patient in seconds.
“Sometimes in EMS your ability to do your job could mean life or death for a patient,” said Jones.
Although, Jones thrives under the pressure and even loves going out in the middle of night on a rescue mission. Her hours vary and sometimes on school nights, Jones will be out with the EMS trying to save a life.
“This job is not for everyone,” said Jones.
According to Jones, being a EMT can be challenging, but it is also rewarding. She is able to see the thankful families when they know the EMT squad has saved their loved one’s life. Sometimes, that is not always the case because it may be impossible to save a life which is a downfall of her job, according to Jones.
“How I deal with grueling sights is I don’t think about what happen to the patient, but how can I fix this patient,” said Jones. “You have to detach yourself from the patient in order to be able to save them”.
Jones had to receive her CPR certification in order to become an EMT, but she also had to join the fire department, take a six to seven month course, and do ride alongs on an ambulance as a provider while another provider assessed her.
“In the services of EMS, you are the first person to come in contact with a patient. It is your job to find out information, that not only can help to treatment your patient, but help the doctors to diagnosis the patient,” said Jones.
Once Jones arrives at the scene, she has to check for safety, put on protective gear, grab medications, call for additional help if needed, and begin patient care. She has even had some strange experiences while being an EMT.
“Your duty as an EMT is to do what is best for your patient, even if that means turning the air conditioning on when it is 12 degrees out,” said Jones.
Jones’s career aspirations are to be a surgeon for Shock Trauma and be a part of the GO-Team. The GO-Team is a specialized team of doctor that performs medical attention in a bad car accident. One time, according to Jones, she watched the GO-Team amputate a patient’s legs off in the field.
“I love being an EMT because you are able to help people when they are in their most vulnerable state,” said Jones.