Author Forward
Welcome to education as an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR)! Over the decades of development in Emergency Medical Services (EMS), the EMR has moved well beyond first aid and has become the basis for emergency care in the community. Whether it’s a farm field, a small-town church, a highway shoulder, or a family’s living room, the EMR is often the first trained professional to arrive, assess, and act.
When I was honored with the Educational Leadership Award in 2013 by Lakeshore College (then known as Lakeshore Technical College) for my support and participation in the EMS programs, not only on campus but also in the community, I was allowed to address the audience and make a short speech. One point of emphasis was my belief that, in EMS, the most important people, as the foundation of the system, are the Emergency Medical Responders. Without this basis the rest of the system does not do well. We can bring the newest equipment and medications to the patient, but if no one is there to provide essential basic life support, it will not matter.
“One of the really cool things about teaching EMS is that the entry-level providers are actually the most important. Everyone thinks that paramedics save lives. That is not true. It takes a first responder to actually save a life. If that does not happen, all the equipment, medications and tricks the paramedics bring do absolutely nothing. So, one of my pearls of wisdom to new classes of EMS students of all levels, is that we never use the phrase ‘I’m just an EMT’ or ‘She’s just a first responder’ because those are the people who save lives.”
There is no “just” about it.
EMRs are the neighbors, the coworkers, the coaches, and the volunteers who bring life-saving care to their communities before anyone else can. You are not just learning how to perform medical interventions, you are learning how to stand in the gap during moments of crisis, to bring calm when others are overwhelmed, and to start care that can save lives. You are the first link in the chain of survival.
I have celebrated EMS for decades, but the 2025 EMS Week theme summed it up well: We care. For everyone.
Period. Full stop. Yes.
As described by the American Red Cross in dedication to the celebration of EMS Week 2025:
Lifesaving Work in Action: Why We Celebrate EMS Professionals
“Their ability to assess injuries, manage chronic conditions and navigate high-stress environments makes them invaluable during emergencies. Many EMS professionals extend their life saving work beyond ambulances and hospitals by volunteering with the American Red Cross. These dual-trained responders bring clinical expertise and calm reassurance to disaster shelters, evacuation centers and recovery sites.
Their work exemplifies the spirit of EMS Week — meeting people in moments of crisis and helping them begin the road to recovery.”
Be aware that the “M” in EMS stands for “medical” and by its very nature is changing, growing, and progressing. Expect change; look for change. Never settle for “we’ve always done it that way.” Hopefully someday you will be the seasoned member telling the new staff, “Back in my day….” with interesting reflections, stories, and wisdom.
While reading this text you will notice a variety of styles, formats, and insights. Many subject-matter experts have contributed to this information, and they bring their own unique knowledge. I hope this keeps you interested, rather than reading the same outline repeatedly.
In EMS, remember that it is not like on TV or in the movies… until it is. The majority is routine and defined, with planned progress towards an expected end point. And then you encounter a challenge, unexpected forces, chaos, and the need for instant decisions. Many people will not believe what you have seen and done, which is OK. They are also not trained or prepared to be able to do these things. You will be. Welcome to EMS.
– Suzanne Martens, MD, FACEP, FAEMS, MPH, EMT
References:
The American Red Cross. (2025). Caring for Everyone: Celebrating National EMS Week and the Lifesaving Work of EMS Professionals. redcross.org. https://www.redcross.org/take-a-class/resources/articles/national-ems-week
