RICHMOND, VA –
National Emergency Medical Technician Week will be celebrated May 14-18.
According to the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians website, in 1974 President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities. Back then, EMS was a new profession, and EMS 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 Support at Richmond is 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: Richard Sagraves Jr.
Organization: Defense Logistics Agency Installation Operations at Richmond, Virginia’s Fire and Emergency Services.
Years of service: I’ve been with this department 10 months and have 10 years total Department of Defense Civilian Fire Service experience.
What is your job, specifically? I serve as a firefighter/EMT-Basic within our organization. I’m responsible for providing firefighting skills to various types of calls we respond to here on Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. They range from fire related calls, including fire alarms, gas leaks and sprinkler system malfunctions. We also provide fire protection services that ensure the buildings on center meet the highest standard for safety. We provide a basic level of emergency management service care in conjunction with our Advanced Life Support (ALS) providers in our organization. Also, I serve as a driver operator of our apparatus to include an engine, truck, hazmat, and ambulance. As a Department of Defense firefighter, we are responsible for protecting those who protect our country. There’s a saying, “If no one else can do it; call the Fire Department.” We are the jack of all trades type.
Why did you decide to go into a public service career? I decided to go into public service because when I’m able to help someone in their moment of need, I feel like I have served a purpose. Every call a firefighter responds to, no matter the magnitude, is to serve a role in the need of someone else.
Please share with us a memorable event in your job. One of the most memorable moments in my career was the time I helped deliver a baby. Without going into too many details, let’s just say the mom was not able to make it to the hospital before the baby was ready. To aide in the delivery of a baby in someone’s own living room, without a doctor and just one other person to help, is pretty amazing. Being able to walk into the hospital with two patients when at the start of the call, you only had one, is an accomplishment. I will never forget that moment or when the mom and baby came by the station a few weeks later for me to see them both and take a picture with them.
What makes for a great day on the job? What makes a good day in the life of a firefighter is when we can come to the station and enjoy what we do and as a bonus get paid to do what we love. The fire service as a whole has adapted with the times with respect to being seen as professionals, but we still like to have fun and joke around in the station. We also thoroughly enjoy dinner time. We don’t make it into our day very long before someone is asking what’s for dinner.
What is your favorite work activity? Honestly, my favorite work activity would be fighting fires. There is something amazing about going into a burning building and feeling the heat from the flames.
What is your greatest achievement on the job? My greatest achievement has been when someone in the community or someone you have helped, comes to you and thanks you for what you did for them or the service you provided.
Did you have any mentors during your career? If so, how did they help you? In our profession, we are always learning and trying to stay ahead of the curve. During various points in my career, there have been people who helped guide me and show me the ropes. This helped in my maturation as a firefighter. Those who I consider mentors came in the form of colleagues and supervisors who took the time to bestow upon me what they’d learned along their careers and their expertise knowledge. I’ve had many mentors who have either helped me understand a better ways of doing things or who strongly encouraged me reach my full potential. I’m in a career field where we never stop learning or trying to be better ourselves. There’s a continuous cycle of mentorship.
What would you say to encourage someone to go into public service? I would encourage anyone who has a passion for serving people to go into a public service profession. Like with anything in life, there are benefits and drawbacks, but Fire and EMS, in my opinion, is a very rewarding job. At the end of the day, if you able to go to bed knowing you’ve helped someone in need; there is no better profession. On the flip side, we wake up every day ready to serve and provide the best possible service.
Do you do any volunteer work in the community? If so, what? My family and I help in various ways within our community, from volunteering at our local schools, sports organizations, and donating to certain charities that help those in need.
What are you usually doing when not at work? Spending as much time as possible with my wife and kids. I’ve learned several lessons working in the Fire and EMS; life is short; life is precious; you never know when your time here on this earth is done.
How do you define excellence? I define excellence as never accepting the mind set of, “what is the minimum amount of effort to get by.” I believe we should always be willing to find areas of improvement in all aspects of our lives. I try to provide excellent service, but I know I can always reflect on past experiences and situations to find ways to improve.
How do you define happiness? At the end of the day, happiness for me is being able to care and provide for my wife and kids. I take great pride in ensuring they have everything they need and I was able to provide that for them.