Name, Title and EMS Agency
Armando Suarez Del Real, Captain West Allis Fire Department (WAFD)
Years in your current role and in the EMS field all together
One year as Coordinator for Mobile Integrated Healthcare Team (MIH) for WAFD, Nationally registered Paramedic for 10 years, in the Fire Service for 20 years.
I chose to work in EMS because….
As overstated that it may seem, I wanted to work in a field that helped people. There is no better service that achieves this than the Fire/EMS Service.
I chose to become a PECC because….
I coordinate a Community Paramedic program that focuses on the proactive identification, education and treatment of citizens in the City of West Allis. Whereas we don’t see a large volume of pediatric patients, they require specialized skill sets to help appropriately. Becoming a PECC affords us the access to education, resources and practical tools needed best help this demographic.
My favorite part about working with children is….
Children are uniquely honest and genuine. They haven’t had a lifetime to learn bad, destructive, and harmful habits. Impacting patients positively during their developmental stages allows them to be equipped with the necessary tools to grow up happy and healthy.
The most rewarding part of my job is….
I feel that the most rewarding aspect of being an MIH provider, is seeing the positive affect that our proactive approach has on a patient’s life. It is not the adrenaline charged scenarios that 9-1-1 calls carry, rather the behind the scenes affirmation that a person is better off having been looked after by our staff. This positive interaction has a ripple effect to the patient’s family and close group of people they encounter on a regular basis.
One of my favorite memories of working in EMS is….
One of my favorite memories of working in EMS had been a time that we had uncovered an abuse case to a minor. On the surface, it is absolutely horrific to reminisce that abuse to a minor as a positive encounter, but the removal of the threat to the child had been an immediate relief of a very heavy weight off the patient’s shoulders. The patient hadn’t known anything but pain and fear, the change in their life by removing the constant abuse, was visible in every aspect of the child’s demeanor.
My favorite restaurant is _____ because…..
Currently, my favorite restaurant is The Spicy Tuna. They have the best sushi in MKE by far. Their menu is simple, but never disappointing. Worth a try.
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Name, Title and EMS Agency
Kristine Pautz, Assistant Chief of EMS Wales Genesee Fire Department; Critical Care Transport Respiratory Therapist for Children’s Transport
Years in your current role and in the EMS field all together
6 years as Assistant Chief 15 years on WGFD
I chose to work in EMS because….
The CHW Transport team had all their RT’s become EMT’s for fixed wing transports. I live 4 minutes from WGFD and wanted to help my community out.
I chose to become a PECC because….
Being a training officer for WGFD and a Respiratory Therapist on the Children’s Transport Team, I wanted to make sure our EMT’s had enough knowledge and training to take care of pediatric patients. I am also hoping to reach out to other departments in the area. Pediatric EMS calls are scary for many EMT’s.
My favorite part about working with children is….
The challenge and how rewarding it is being able to save a young life. Working with the parents is also fun. Being there to answer questions. Being supportive during their child’s crisis.
The most rewarding part of my job is….
Educating the EMT’s on emergency care for adults and children. The differences and challenges. Being able to share all the life experiences and positive outcomes I have learned from working at Children’s Wisconsin.
One of my favorite memories of working in EMS is….
We have been responding for several years now for a little boy who started having seizures. He has been treated at Children’s Wisconsin and seeing him improve and grow becoming close with the family has been amazing. The little boy has the biggest heart and smile. Melts my heart every time I see him.
If I could have dinner with anybody (dead or alive), it would be Johnny Gage from Emergency Randolph Mantooth because…..
I watched that show all the time with my sisters since I was little and I heard him speak at an EMS conference.