An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | May 23, 2019

National EMS Week Spotlight: Kyle Thomas

DLA Aviation Public Affairs

National Emergency Medical Technician Week will be celebrated May 19 – 25.

According to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians website, in 1974 President Gerald Ford authorized Emergency Medical Services Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. Back then, EMS was a new profession and practitioners had only just started to be recognized as a critical component of emergency medicine and the public health safety net. EMS is now firmly established as an essential public function and a vital component of the medical care continuum.

EMS practitioners care for their patients' medical needs and show caring and compassion to their patients in their most difficult moments. As part of National EMS Week, Defense Logistics Agency Aviation and DLA Installation Management Richmond are spotlighting an emergency medical technician at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia, to honor his dedication in providing day-to-day lifesaving services on medicine's "front line."

 

Name: Kyle Thomas

Organization:

Fire and Emergency Services Branch, Security and Emergency Services Division,

DLA Installation Management Richmond

 

Years of service:

1

 

What is your job, specifically?

Firefighter, Emergency Medical Technician-Intermediate

 

Why did you decide to go into a public service career?

I wanted to help people and make a difference within my community

 

Please share with us a memorable event in your job.

Climbing the aerial ladder during training

 

What makes for a great day on the job?

Hands-on training and having time to exercise

 

What is your favorite work activity?

Any kind of training we have going on

 

What is your greatest achievement on the job?

Completing the Aerial Driver/Operator certification

 

Did you have any mentors during your career? If so, how did they help you?

Yes, they’ve shown me different ways to do things and to find what works for me

 

What would you say to encourage someone to go into public service?

Being able to help someone through one of their worst days is the most rewarding feeling

 

Do you do any volunteer work in the community? If so, what?

In 2017 I used to volunteer at a fire department in Georgia

 

What are you usually doing when not at work?

Spending time with my wife

 

How do you define excellence?

Excellence is being the best at what you do

 

How do you define happiness?

A sense of well-being, joy, or contentment