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Dear Fellow Vermonter,
Last year in Vermont alone, 232,372 calls were made to 911. For medical emergencies –broken bones, a stroke, a mental health crisis, a fall, or anything in between – local Emergency Medical Services (EMS) agencies are often first on scene, day and night, no matter the weather.
The EMTs, Advanced EMTs, and paramedics who work and volunteer with these agencies are highly trained medical professionals. They are also our neighbors, our friends, and our family members. Simply put, they are the first responders to some of people’s most difficult moments, and often the difference between life and death.
My team had the chance to sit down with Maggie Burke, Executive Director of Waterbury Ambulance Service, to learn more about what a day in the life of an EMS provider looks like. Maggie reports that the job can be unpredictable and challenging, and that EMS workers often face real challenges with underfunding, high turnover, and insufficient staffing. Despite these challenges, Maggie and EMS providers across the state continue to work tirelessly on behalf of people in need. As Maggie put it, she is proud to work in a field where she can give someone a sense of relief that they will be taken care of. I hope you will check out the full interview with Maggie below.
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