As an EMT, I’ve found that the job involves a lot of waiting around. Whether it’s waiting for a call to come in, waiting for a patient to be ready for transport, or waiting in the ER for test results, there are plenty of opportunities to just sit and observe the world around you. And as it turns out, people-watching can be one of the most interesting parts of the job.
There’s something about being an EMT that seems to attract people who are a little bit quirky or offbeat. Maybe it’s the unconventional hours, or the fact that the job requires you to be constantly on your toes. Whatever the reason, I’ve met some truly fascinating characters during my time as an EMT.
For example, there was the elderly woman who insisted on wearing a pink boa to the hospital, even though she was clearly in serious pain. Or the teenage boy who was brought in after getting into a fistfight at a local fast food restaurant, but couldn’t stop talking about his dreams of becoming a famous rapper. And then there was the homeless man who, despite having very little in the way of material possessions, was one of the most genuinely kind and compassionate people I’ve ever met.
But it’s not just the patients who are interesting to watch. There’s also the staff at the hospitals and clinics we visit, from the no-nonsense triage nurses to the chatty receptionists who always seem to have a joke or a story to tell. And of course, there are always plenty of other people on the streets and in the neighborhoods we serve, each with their own unique story to tell.
So if you’re considering becoming an EMT, know that you’ll be getting paid to do more than just save lives. You’ll also have the opportunity to observe the world around you in a way that few other jobs can offer. Who knows what fascinating characters you’ll meet or what interesting stories you’ll hear? The possibilities are endless.