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Doherty I know I sure did.”
Although Doherty is in a different line of work now, he did
say that the main things the public could do to help EMS, is
From Page Nine simply get out of the way. “Move over to the right when an
ambulance is coming through. Back away from the scene
doctor wants him checked out just in case. This makes you when medics are trying to get in there and save a life,” he
question why you do what you do sometimes,” Doherty said. said. “Don’t call for an ambulance and then block the front of
On top of these things, a lot of emergency runs aren’t the home with your car. This goes for police cars and fire
emergencies. People call for an ambulance to go to the ER trucks as well.”
and get pain meds, or Doherty spoke about how tough the Doherty said one other thing people can do before they
job was at times, especially when they were called to help call an ambulance is do a wellness check. “Make sure you
people who wouldn’t help themselves. “I don’t understand are actually needing medical responders before calling,”
people that won’t put their cigarettes down, yet they are Doherty said. “We understand mistakes are made, but
constantly having to call us because they are experiencing many can be prevented.”
shortness of breath,” he said. For the future, Doherty said he would like to see restric-
“People just don’t realize the environments EMT’s and tions put on how long a crew can legally be on the road.
Paramedics are exposed to,” Doherty said. “At times we “They regulate truck drivers, why not EMS crews?” he
have to enter residences that are in less than ideal condition asked. “I’d like to see the pay match the responsibilities,
to treat our patients, but regardless of our surroundings, we and I’d like to see legislation that would hold ambulance
always try and treat every patient with the same amount of abusers responsible for their actions.”
respect.” Doherty explained who or what fits the description of
“Most people wouldn’t know that EMS doesn’t pay very a hero to him. “My definition of a hero is someone that
well per hour,” Doherty said. “The only way most people can exhibits selflessness in the duty of helping others. Some-
make it, is to work at more than one agency, which would ef- one that lowers themselves so they may lift others up,” he
fectively, take even more time away from home and family.” said. “A hero is someone that faces their fears and keeps
When asked if he considered himself or his line of work as going.”
being heroic, this is what he had to say: Although he has never considered himself a hero, others
“I don’t know if my family ever considered me a hero. I was do. “No, I’ve never considered myself a hero,” Doherty said.
told that they were proud of me, but nobody really ever got “But I guess that’s not up for me to decide. I’m just a regular
specific as to why,” Doherty said. “I figure my boys saw their guy, trying to live up to the expectations of my Lord and Sav-
daddy as a hero, but I don’t know many little boys that don’t. ior Jesus Christ, for without Him, I am nothing.”

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