The unsung hero always arrives

  Shock advised. Shocking. Shock advised. Shocking. Your heart has stopped and you are lying on the floor, your  last few moments coming to an end. Eyes are closing and you think that this is the end. Shock advised, shocking. Then your eyes fly open and your heart starts beating. Congratulation there is another day to live and it is not because of some miracle, it is because of the professionally trained EMS officer who has just given you another chance at life.
  According to articles.baltimoresun.com, in the state of Maryland there are 27,016 emergency medical services (EMS) providers who gladly put their life on the line to protect their patients. EMS providers are the ones that come when a patient is sick with the flu and vomiting, when a tooth hurts and waiting for the dentist is not an option.
   But we also come when a child has been burned with water by a parent intentionally; we run into burning buildings to pull patients out who are injured; we have a gun pointed at us because we are attending to a rival gang member’s injuries, and  we arrive at motor vehicle accidents in time to make the difference for someone who might become a vegetable for the rest of their lives or play tag in the backyard with their children.
     And when our actions are done, there is never a thank you given or any recognition; there is just the next call and the next patient.
  EMS is one of the most underappreciated jobs that the medical world has to offer. Doctors are given all the praise when a critical patient lives, and it is not that they don’t deserve it, but let’s not forget who got that patient to the hospital and kept them alive.
       We are the first responders, the ones who are first on the scene, and deal with all the gruesome situations. We are here for the people and the community,  and we deserve respect in return.