Brandon JonesWhere are you stationed?
I’m at Station 6 (W. Badger Road) on the C shift.

How long have you been with the MFD?
September marked my 5th year with the department.

Why did you want to become a paramedic?
I wanted to be a paramedic for the knowledge, skill set, and leadership experience. As a firefighter on an EMS call, I would always wonder what happened after we loaded the patient in the back of the ambulance and returned to quarters. I also wanted to become a more versatile and valuable asset to the department.

What do you look forward to in this role?
I look forward to interacting and helping people more than I could as a firefighter. The feeling of changing the outcome of someone’s life is a huge responsibility, but the satisfaction of successfully doing so is unmatched by any other.

How has this new assignment changed your perspective or the way you approach your job?
My perspective on life has changed greatly since becoming a paramedic. We learn in school about how perfectly made we are as human beings, but with this perfect design comes a unnerving realization of how fragile life really is. It makes you appreciate and protect your health and well-being. It is very humbling knowing that my problems are very small compared to some people in this world.

What might people be surprised to know about your job?
When I tell my family about my new role, they assume that I do not fight fires.  I’ve realized that paramedics actually get to go to more fires due to the fact that they cross so many different territories when returning from the hospital.  I often have to remind them that my new role is Firefighter/Paramedic, not just Paramedic. My passion for fire will never change, no matter which rig I am riding for the day.

For those who aren’t familiar, describe your experience in Paramedic School.
Paramedic school was very intense.  They take 1-2 years of material and condense it into an 8-month course.  It was probably one of the most challenging things I’ve done thus far in my life. There were many times that I would have to remind myself why I signed up and what I have to look forward to when it’s over.

What do you enjoy doing when you’re not working at MFD?
When I am not at the MFD, I’m dad and husband. I’ve also been given the opportunity to teach BLS/ACLS for the same program that I just completed at the UW Emergency Education Center as an Emergency Education Specialist.

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Category: Station 6