News Talk 94.1/AM 1600 Where The Upper Cumberland Talks
Roane State’s Director of EMS Education David Blevins named the 2022 Advocate of the Year by the National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians.
Blevins is one of three in the entire country to receive the designation. He said that he entered the field some 20 years ago inspired by his grandmother.
“I was looking at the retail community and business management and then some things came along,” Blevins said. “She was the 653rd licensed EMT in the state and through many different opportunities, she always advocated, and it just kind of became a passion of mine. So I made the decision to come into the public safety community, I went through fire service and then to EMS.”
When it comes to being a good advocate, Blevins said that the main requirement is a passion for the job.
“The more that you have within your heart for the profession,” Blevins said. “The more opportunity you’re going to take to go out and communicate and see all the excellent things that are going on in the emergency medical services industry.”
Blevins said that he wants those considering entering the EMS field to follow that feeling. He said that not a lot of people will take the step toward the unknown.
“Thinking that these guys and gals that are doing this stuff and saying ‘Oh I don’t think I can do that,’ but you absolutely can,” Blevins said. “Our healthcare practitioners that are taking medicine out to the field, are our neighbors, our colleagues that we never thought could do it, and you can as well.”
Blevins said that there has never been a better time for folks to join this industry. He said that all it takes is asking that first question: How do I get started?
