PA EMT Loves ‘Emotional’ Job She Almost Quit

Patrick Buchnowski The Tribune-Democrat, Johnstown, Pa. (MCT) Dec. 28—Laura Penatzer has spent 33 years as an emergency medical technician treating car crash victims, heart attack victims and more recently COVID-19 patients. Love for her job and the community keep her motivated. “I’m very lucky that I have a job and a job that I love,” said Penatzer, assistant manager and office manager for Forest Hills Area EMS in St. Michael. “No matter where I go, I’ve been in almost every house in our coverage area,” she said. “I do love my job. Not many peopled can say that.” It wasn’t always the case. Penatzer said she nearly quit the job not long after she began. “When I first started in 1988, we had a vehicle accident on 219 and the lady who was ejected looked identical to my grandmother,” she said. “My grandmother was the most important person in my life. I almost didn’t stay in the job. Eventually, I got over the trauma.” As COVID-19 continues to spread, Penatzer said many people underestimate the threat of the disease. “Initially we all kind of thought it was in New York and wasn’t going to come here,” Penatzer said. “It’s here, and it’s going to be here for awhile.” Staff are working overtime during the pandemic, she said. “If we take someone to the hospital, we might have to wait an hour or more be...
Source: JEMS: Journal of Emergency Medical Services News - Category: Emergency Medicine Authors: Tags: News News Feed Patient Care COVID-19 EMS Pennsylvania Source Type: news