I, Emergency Responder, Strive to Serve and Save Lives

During Leroy's upbringing, a key childhood memory profoundly influenced him and planted the seeds for his later career choices. He vividly recalls:

"One time, I was hanging out with friends in town. Not far from us, an elderly lady was walking, trying to get onto the sidewalk. But the street was cobblestoned, and it had rained recently, making the surface very slippery. She unfortunately fell, and within seconds, she started screaming, having injured her head. People rushed to help her."

This scene deeply imprinted on young Leroy's mind. "But I felt really helpless because I wished I could do something. I knew I was young, and there were already enough people helping her. But I sat there, watching, unsure of what I could do to assist the poor old lady. That moment made me realize I wanted to do something that could positively impact people's lives."

Around the age of 17-18, Leroy began volunteering with a disaster prevention unit. This experience introduced him to the world of medical emergency response, igniting his interest in this field. "That's when I began to explore my desire for medical emergency response," Leroy recalls.

To further pursue this path, Leroy opted for a final internship at an ambulance station. There, he had the opportunity to ride along with emergency responders, experiencing firsthand the workings of emergency medical services. This experience helped him find his passion: "I wanted to help people in medical emergencies. I just needed to figure out whether I wanted to do it on the ambulance or in the hospital."

After completing his studies, Leroy faced a crucial moment of career choice. He applied simultaneously for emergency medical services (EMS) and hospital jobs. While waiting for training to begin, he decided to intern at a nearby hospital.

This internship coincided with the onset of Covid-19 spreading across Europe, providing Leroy with invaluable frontline medical experience. However, it was also a challenging and uncertain time. "No one was prepared for what was coming, especially me, who had no idea what to do. I was just working like everyone else. For a whole week, there was hardly any knowledge, but I did my best."

During this period, Leroy was responsible for caring for three patients and developed a good rapport with them. However, after a seemingly normal weekend, things took a dramatic turn. "The weekend came, my first free weekend in a long time, so I used it to clear my mind, get rid of all the things we'd been through. I returned to the hospital after the weekend to check on my three patients. But they were all gone. Initially, I was happy. I thought they were healthy and could go home to be with their families. But I found out they had all passed away over the weekend due to Covid-19."

This experience had a profound impact on Leroy. "I was overwhelmed with emotions, not knowing what to do because we had gotten along so well. That moment made me realize I wanted to work in emergency medical services (EMS). I knew the job would be tough, experiencing psychological trauma would be common, but I also knew that in EMS, I would only get to know patients for a short time. I would do my best, then transfer them to the next care facility."

Leroy shared a memorable rescue experience that left a lasting impression on him, showcasing the complexity and challenges of EMS work: "It was my first emergency on my new job. Because it was my first day, I responded with another paramedic and an EMT. It was a late summer day, and we were called to deal with someone who had fallen off their bike. We thought it wouldn't be a big deal, maybe a head scratch or needing some pain relief for transport. But when we arrived on the scene, we saw people performing CPR on the patient."

This unexpected situation momentarily stunned the team, as no one expected an ongoing resuscitation. Leroy continues, "We took over, performed CPR, managed the airway, established IV access, and administered medications. We even defibrillated the patient. After a while, the emergency doctor arrived, and we decided to transport the patient quickly to a hospital that was just a block away."

This experience deeply moved Leroy and his team. "We discussed this emergency for a long time, trying to understand the reasons behind this situation, but we couldn't comprehend. But surprisingly, we later learned that due to our quick work, the patient left the hospital a week later without any lasting effects."

This successful rescue not only demonstrated the importance of EMS work but also allowed Leroy to experience the value and satisfaction of this job.

In addition to his frontline duties, Leroy also serves as an emergency dispatcher, where he faces the challenge of assessing situations based solely on callers' information. "As a dispatcher, I'm responsible for deciding which emergency vehicle to dispatch—whether it's the fire department, ambulance, or doctor—by asking specific questions to determine the nature and urgency of the situation," Leroy explains.

One particularly challenging incident involved a call from outside their usual service area, where a language barrier complicated communication. "We had to work together as a team," Leroy recounts. "Other dispatchers and nearby centers were involved in gathering crucial details and coordinating medical services to the location." Despite the initial difficulties, they managed to gather enough information to dispatch the appropriate help promptly.

Leroy emphasizes the vital role of clear communication and effective teamwork in emergency response. "In dispatching, every second counts," he stresses. "It's about ensuring the right help reaches the right place as quickly as possible, even in situations with language barriers or uncertain information."

Leroy acknowledges the significant stress and emotional burden that comes with EMS work. Handling life-or-death situations and witnessing people's suffering can take a toll on rescuers' mental well-being. In response, Leroy has developed his own coping strategies.

"My biggest supporters are my girlfriend and my dog," Leroy says. "Since my girlfriend also works in this field, she understands its challenges. She's often the first person I turn to after traumatic incidents, and that helps me process things."

Besides confiding in those who understand the profession, Leroy finds solace in nature: "I love spending time in the forest. It brings me a sense of peace and helps me unwind from the daily stresses of work."

Despite his demanding schedule, Leroy emphasizes the importance of personal interests. "Outdoor activities are my passion," Leroy adds. "Although my job keeps me busy, I look forward to getting back to hiking and exploring, like I did before becoming a paramedic."

In addition to his main job, Leroy actively volunteers with a private aid organization, assisting people in crisis situations. This commitment reflects his deep passion for helping others.

Explaining his choice to join this organization, Leroy says, "With conflicts becoming more frequent globally, seeing people suffer in places like Ukraine has been challenging. I researched extensively for an organization focused on impactful assistance, rather than bureaucratic delays."

He highlights the flexibility and efficiency of private organizations: "I appreciate how quickly organizations like IAG can respond to needs. Their agility allows us to deliver medical supplies and aid directly where it's needed in Germany and Ukraine."

Looking ahead, Leroy aims to deepen his career in emergency response. "Being an emergency dispatcher is fulfilling. I want to continue helping others through emergency calls and as a volunteer, possibly even teaching EMS skills in the future."

Leroy's journey underscores the significance of perseverance in finding a career aligned with personal values. His story is a testament to the satisfaction found in helping others and striving for a balanced life.