Editor’s Note: May 17-23 is National Emergency Medical Services Week. In honor of this year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together,” we are presenting a series of spotlights focused on the firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/emergency medical technicians who serve as first responders for Defense Logistics Agency Weapons Support (Columbus) and Defense Supply Center Columbus.
Name: Skyler Dougher
Job title: firefighter/paramedic
What inspired you to become a firefighter/paramedic? One of the biggest things that inspired me was growing up around the fire house. I was shown the fire service from a young age by my dad, who is a fire captain here at DSCC. I distinctly remember the members of the departments always being a giant family and how they were always there for one another.
When did you join DLA Fire and Emergency Services and what did you do before you got here? I joined DLA FES in July 2024 as a firefighter/EMT. Before joining DLA, I was a staff sergeant in the United States Air Force as a fire protection crew chief.
Describe your typical shift in 2-3 sentences. A typical day starts before the 48-hour shift even begins. I usually show up around an hour early so that I can get my personal items squared away and get my truck assignment for the day. After that we will conduct monthly training, respond to various types of emergencies and most importantly, figure out what meal we will cook for that day!
Is there a moment you’ve encountered on duty that stands out? One thing that stands out is a response to an incident when our team was able to quickly assess, treat and transport the injured person to the ER. The teamwork that we have is unstoppable, and we are able to come together no matter the challenge we face.
What’s the hardest part of your job and why? One of the hardest parts of my job is that sometimes we try our hardest and we cannot succeed. I believe that this is the hardest part because even with all our skills and knowledge, we cannot always be the answer to the problem no matter the circumstances we may face.
What do you like most about your job and why? What I like most about the job is that we truly are a family. We eat together, we work together and we are under the same roof for 48 hours at a time. When you are away from your family, you are here with your second family. These are the people that can give you life advice, be a shoulder to lean on and if it ever comes down to it, they may be the ones that save your life.
How do you unwind after a shift? After a shift, I enjoy spending time with my wife and our four dogs. I also enjoy playing golf and going for walks with our pets.