Emergency Medical Volunteers: Never a Dull Moment!

Julian Omidi is an advocate for the health and wellbeing of people and animals. In today’s blog, Julian discusses what it takes to become an emergency medical volunteer.

Civic duty takes many forms. Some prefer to donate their time in the public library or at community centers, while other altruistic individuals help low-income citizens prepare tax returns or assist at animal shelters. These are all wonderful ways to give back to the society in which we live.

If you want to express your civic duty desire in a truly fast-paced, professional environment, consider becoming a volunteer EMT (emergency medical technician). The work is demanding, the hours can be odd, to say the very least, but the experience is often life-changing.

Here’s what you should know before embarking on a volunteer mission in which you will literally save lives every day:

• You will need specialized training to become an EMT. Class time and on-the-job training can range from 40 to 1,000 hours, depending what level of certification you are aiming for. So-called “first responder” EMTs usually need just 40 hours of training, while paramedics need at least 1,000 hours.
• Expect to train and study for between six and 24 months before getting certified.
• Minimum requirements include: good vision (corrected with glasses or contacts is acceptable), color-capable vision, the ability to lift at least 25 pounds, a high-school or GED diploma, emotional stability and above-average physical condition.
• If you are thinking about a career in the medical field, there is perhaps no better background than EMT training. You will accumulate experience on the scene of life-or-death situations like auto accidents, house fires, natural disasters and every type of medical emergency imaginable.
• To get started, contact your local community college, fire department or hospital. They will be able to point you in the right direction for classes and preliminary training. Every state and municipality does things a bit differently, so getting advice from local sources is the wisest way to begin.

Keep in mind that you might end up loving the challenge of being an EMT volunteer so much that you decide to turn it into a paying career. Countless first responders have ended up becoming professional paramedics.

So, if you are the type of person who loves a challenge, enjoys a fast-paced job and wants to help people who are in dire need, volunteering as an EMT might just be the toughest, and most rewarding, volunteer work you ever sign up for.

Be good to each other,

Julian Omidi

Julian Omidi, along with his brother Dr. Michael Omidi and mother Cindy Omidi, are advocates and co-founders of numerous non-profit organizations including Animal Support and Civic Duty.