Name, Title and EMS Agency
Dan Tyk – Battalion Chief – North Shore Fire/Rescue
Years in your current role and in the EMS field all together
I was recently promoted to Battalion Chief in May of this year, but previously held the rank of Captain/EMS Manager prior to this promotion. I’ve been in EMS since my senior year in high-school when I attended EMT certification classes. I became a paramedic in 2008 and graduated with a nursing degree in 2009. In 2012, I completed community paramedic training in 2015.
I chose to work in EMS because….
EMS has always been a passion of mine. My mom has worked in healthcare for her entire life. I’d spent many days around the hospital growing up and took a keen interest in learning about various aspects of medicine. I joined fire department cadet program my junior year, which allowed time to ride along with EMS crews and learn more about the intricacies of field-based healthcare. I’ve greatly enjoyed all of the opportunities that EMS has brought me in providing for the community in which I grew up.
I chose to become a PECC because….
Early in my EMS training, one of my instructors told me something that has stuck with me throughout my EMS career, “kids are not just little adults”. There are so many important skills that come with pediatric care. While some of the skills are similar to caring for adults, training for pediatric care requires additional skills and learning. It is important to our organization and the community that we have highly-skilled and highly-trained individuals that are prepared to care for people of all ages. In my role as the leader of our EMS services, it was important to engage in the PECC role to ensure we are offering the highest possible training and care.
My favorite part about working with children is….
My favorite part of working with kids is their resilience. Even in the worst of times, kids are caring and compassionate. They help to brighten the day of so many people. Kids are our future, and their innocence and gratefulness is unmatched by most adults.
The most rewarding part of my job is….
The most rewarding part of EMS work is always the opportunity to get to see a patient or their family at their best. Often times, we don’t get the opportunity to know the outcome after delivering our patient’s to the hospital. When we get a chance to meet a child or their family following a successful discharge from the hospital, it always brightens the day. We usually see people at their worst; but rarely get the opportunity to see them at their best. When these opportunities do come along, it certainly is overwhelmingly rewarding.
One of my favorite memories of working in EMS is….
Having the opportunity to meet with a former pediatric patient and the bystander who saved him during his cardiac arrest in the community. I’d been the instructor who taught CPR and AED use to the bystander and seeing the patient and the community member who was the reason they were alive together was an incredible opportunity. Not a lot of things make me emotional, but this was certainly one of the exceptions.
One of my favorite snack foods is POPCORN because…..
it is relatively healthy, but satisfying (plain with just a little bit of salt)
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Name, Title and EMS Agency
Steve Bakos; Deputy Chief of EMS; Marshfield Fire and Rescue Department
Years in your current role and in the EMS field all together
I have been the Deputy Chief of EMS for 3 years; I have been in EMS for 27 years
I chose to work in EMS because….
I originally joined Grafton Volunteer Fire Department as I was interested in the fire service. I found out quickly that most of the fire service was actually EMS. Once I certified as an EMT I learned that I had a real passion for EMS. One thing led to another and here I am.
I chose to become a PECC because…
The PECC position is a natural fit with my role as the EMS Deputy Chief.
My favorite part about working with children is….
Their positive outlook on everything. If we can fix the problem, most kids are able to switch gears and forget all about what was happening.
The most rewarding part of my job is….
Being able to help people and make a difference on their “bad day”.
One of my favorite memories of working in EMS is….
Working hand in hand with great partners to make a substantial difference in someone’s life.
My favorite show TV show is __________ because…..
Actually, it is probably a Youtube show called Venture 4WD. My wife and I enjoy it because it focuses on traveling around the country visiting places most people will never see while camping and driving off road most of the way.