Always on call

Here's to men in uniforms.

One man in particular, Felipe Garcia, wears his uniform to North Lake College frequently, often leaving from a 24-hour shift as a paramedic to attend his two classes.

Garcia, 22, is in his first semester at NLC, but he is no stranger to school. He started taking basic emergency medical technician classes when he was 17 and still in high school.

He said that he's “a klutz like always,” but that doesn't seem accurate. He works as a nationally registered paramedic for American Medical Response for two systems — Arlington EMS System and the City of Fairview EMT. Working up to five 12- to 24-hour shifts a week, Garcia's schedule is demanding, although he seems to balance school and work with ease.

However, it isn't easy being a paramedic. There is no getting used to human trauma and those who make fraudulent claims of it. Training to become a paramedic is extensive. It takes only approximately two years.

There are four levels to complete when striving to become a paramedic — EMT basic, EMT intermediate, EMT paramedic, and critical care paramedic.

While in level one (EMT basic), students learn basic medical training such as bandaging and splinting. “Nothing too invasive,” Garcia said. Level two (EMT intermediate) consists of teaching students to start I.V.'s and to distribute some medications, along with other more advanced medical training.

Students begin paramedic school at level three (EMT paramedic), where they learn advanced pharmacology and become certified in cardiovascular life support, among other things. Level four (critical care paramedic) is optional. It is primarily for continuing educational purposes.

Garcia obtained a different type of training than most paramedics. He worked on a drilling rig 500 miles off the coast in the Gulf of Mexico when he was 21. He was the only medical practitioner on the boat, providing him with experience and practice that isn't offered in paramedic school. He left the rig after seven months to continue his education elsewhere.

He now works in an ambulance, rather than in the Gulf. When an ambulance is called, the emergencies are classified as priorities one, two or three. Paramedics have to be ready for anything, even those citizens who make fraudulent calls for their own benefit. Garcia has had his own experiences with these false reports.

A family called an ambulance after a minor car accident. There was no damage to the car and no evident injuries. Garcia was aware of the adults instruct the children to say they were injured. A Priority One call came in for a child who was in need of serious medical attention elsewhere, however, Garcia was not allowed to leave the scene of the accident. The child received no medical treatment, consequently dying. If this fraudulent report had not been made, Garcia would have treated the sick child and would have avoided any death that occurred.

Garcia said these falsified claims delay the paramedics from getting to those who have real emergencies, expressing his annoyance.

“Paramedics are the highest level of medical practitioners available outside of a hospital,” Garcia said. The pay isn't the best, but a 401K, full benefits and paid time off make the job more appealing. He usually calls the shots when he's working, having more experience and qualifications than EMTs still in training.

Garcia makes working as a paramedic and going to school look easy. He is THE man in uniform.