Req 15b — Interview an EMS Professional

A great interview is a conversation, not a questionnaire. This option gives you the chance to understand the human story behind an EMS career — what drew someone to this work, what keeps them in it, and what the reality of the job is when the adrenaline fades.

Who to Interview

“EMS professional” covers a wider range of people than you might expect:

• EMT (Emergency Medical Technician): Basic life support certification; the entry-level EMS provider on most ambulances.
• AEMT (Advanced EMT): Intermediate certification with some advanced skills.
• Paramedic: Advanced life support certification; the highest pre-hospital level; 1,000–2,000+ hours of training.
• Flight nurse or flight paramedic: Works on medical helicopters; combines intensive care nursing or paramedicine with aviation medicine.
• ER nurse or emergency physician: Hospital-based but intimately connected to the EMS system; sees the patients after the ambulance delivers them.
• Wilderness EMT or WEMS provider: Applies EMS skills in backcountry and remote settings.
• Dispatcher: The 911 dispatcher is part of the EMS chain; they can be fascinating to interview about the communication side of emergency response.

Finding someone to interview:

• Ask your parents or family friends if anyone in your network works in EMS or healthcare.
• Contact your local fire station or ambulance corps and ask if anyone would be willing to be interviewed by a Scout.
• Many EMS agencies have community outreach contacts who coordinate exactly this kind of educational request.

Preparing for the Interview

Before

• Research the basic EMS certification levels so you understand the answers you receive.
• Write out your questions in advance — you’ll be a better interviewer if you’re not thinking of questions on the spot.
• Decide whether you’ll take notes by hand, record audio (always ask permission), or type.

During

• Start with open-ended questions that invite stories, not yes/no answers.
• Listen actively — follow up on interesting things they say.
• It’s okay to pause and think before your next question.
• Thank them at the end.

Suggested Interview Questions

About choosing the career:

• What made you decide to go into EMS?
• Was there a specific incident or experience that influenced your decision?
• What did your path look like — school, certifications, first job?

About daily work:

• What does a typical shift look like?
• What types of calls are the most common? The most challenging?
• What’s the most satisfying part of the job?

About training and continuing education:

• What certifications do you hold, and how do you maintain them?
• How do you stay current with new protocols and skills?
• Is there specialization within EMS?

About working in your community:

• How does your work connect to the fire department, hospital, and other agencies?
• What do you wish more people understood about calling 911?
• What first aid knowledge would you most want Scouts to have?

About career outlook:

• Would you recommend this career to a young person today?
• What’s the hardest part of the work — not just the calls, but the career?

Discussing Your Interview with Your Counselor

Come to your counselor conversation with specific things you learned. Shallow answers (“it was interesting”) are not enough. Engage with the content:

• What surprised you most about the work or the career path?
• How does the reality of EMS work compare to what you expected from TV or movies?
• Is there anything about this career that genuinely appeals to you? Genuinely concerns you?
• Whether or not you pursue EMS professionally, how might understanding this field make you a better community member?