Public & Human Services: Emergency Medical Technician
Public & Human Services
Emergency Medical Technician: Jenna Gandy
By Mike Yoshiura
"I'm always excited to come to work," says Jenna Gandy, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT). "There are people that go to work just to collect a paycheck, but because this line of work is so mentally and emotionally draining, you need to love the job and have the drive."
According to the City & County of Honolulu, in 2007 Honolulu had more than 40 vacant EMT and paramedic positions. Combined with an increase in 911 calls, the city is left with a serious dilemma. Last year, ambulance crews transported 45,353 patients in response to 911 calls, which is an increase from the 32,830 patients transported in 2001.
"There's a real shortage of personnel," Jenna says. "I come in at 7 a.m. and expect to leave at 3 p.m., but that's not always how it plays out. I'm more than likely to get stuck here until 11 p.m. Technically, the city cannot require EMTs to work 20-hour shifts, but emergency response workers have an unwritten code: You cannot abandon your community."
After she graduated from high school, Jenna attended the University of Hawai'i for two years with the intentions of becoming a lawyer. However, a family tragedy changed her perspective, and she signed up for the EMT program at Kapi'olani Community College (KCC). Jenna completed the EMT program in six months. "I thought about what was meaningful to me in life," she says. "Being able to help people opened my eyes to this career."
People often think that EMTs are limited to driving ambulances. In truth, they provide basic life support to patients, including performing CPR and applying splints.
"This is the kind of career where you really need to find it within yourself," she says. "Sometimes you go home and all you can think about is that kid that was blue in the face. You're one of the key people that the public looks to for help."
She has recently enrolled in KCC's mobile intensive care technician program. The 18-month curriculum is preparing her to become a certified paramedic, as at least one paramedic is required to be aboard each ambulance.
The City & County of Honolulu's Emergency Services Department offers a free Junior Paramedic Program to high school students over the summer. Students are required to have completed their freshman year of high school and must be between the ages of 14 to 17. "If you want to be an EMT, come join us for a shift and sign up for a ride along," Jenna says, with a welcoming smile. "If you're an adrenaline junky, you'll love it."