We sat down with EMSA recruiter Michael Williams to talk about his experience with EMSA and his experience with EMS.
What initially drew you to EMSA?
Like a lot of people my age back in the day, I just wanted to get into the EMS realm.Can we remove this – only want to highlight EMSA. I took my EMT class, I got hooked on the medical side. That’s when I applied at EMSA.
I thought, “If I’m going to do this, I want to be part of the agency that’s going to do the best and inspire its employees to be the best.” And that’s EMSA.
What’s your experience and background in the industry?
I started 20 years ago working in the logistics department at EMSA, stocking ambulances and taking care of the equipment the field crews use every day. It was a great way to get my foot in the door.
I received my EMT license in 2001 and got promoted to a field EMT. Then I worked as a system status controller – that’s what we call Dispatchers in our system.r. I was also on the EMSA bike team and the EMSA Honor Guard.
I completed the in-house paramedic program and obtained my paramedic license in 2011, and got promoted to Field Paramedic. I also did training for alternate district chief in the Oklahoma City Division there.
also started working as a paramedic and a cardiovascular tech and a training officer at the OU Medical Center in the cardiac cath lab. Then I came back and joined the EMSA recruiting team in 2020.
During my tenure at EMSA, I’ve received multiple awards for patient care, peer recognition. I’ve been a training officer in every department that I’ve worked in inside and outside of EMSA. I also traveled to Washington, D.C. as a Star of Life, and was recognized by several political representatives and dozens of other EMS agencies from across the U.S. and other countries.
And I don’t think I would have been allowed any of those opportunities if I didn’t start here. We have a lot to offer at EMSA, and I know it because I’ve actually lived it and done it.
What is your favorite thing about working at EMSA?
By far my favorite thing about working EMSA is the team members. I want to make sure that I’m doing all that I can in a support capacity to help out my fellow team members that are in the field treating patients, to encourage and uplift them so that they can just be focused on taking care of people.
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Make a difference by helping people. Contact one of our EMSA recruiters to learn about becoming an EMT or complete your application to kickstart your career.