Learn more about Amy Richardson in the Q&A below:

Q. Tell us a little bit about your career history leading up to now.

My introduction to Fire and Paramedicine began when I was 17, and I enlisted as a combat medic in the Virginia National Guard. I found that I enjoyed that form of the medical field so much, I desired to follow the civilian path of Fire and EMS. After returning from military schooling, I attained my Associate’s in Paramedicine, volunteered at a local Fire Department while becoming a certified firefighter, worked doing interfacility transport, and joined BCOFR in 2017.

Q. You started out in combat medicine. What led you to that field?

My grandfathers and several uncles served in various branches during WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. One of them, my Great Uncle Pete, was wounded in a battle in Korea. A Navy corpsman ran to him, stopped the bleeding, and saved his life. Sadly, as he tried to move Pete to cover, the corpsman was also shot. As the corpsman bled out beside my uncle, he spoke of his faith in Jesus and led Pete to become a Christian there on the battlefield. The corpsman died, and Uncle Pete survived, never getting to learn the corpsman’s name. No one in the family has joined the military since, and I felt our family owed the corpsman and his family a great debt. I am not fond of ships, so I chose to enlist as a combat medic, the Army’s equivalent to a corpsman.

Q. How did your experience in the military shape the Paramedic you are today?

The military provided a degree and scale of trauma/mass casualty training that is unparalleled to anything I’ve faced in civilian medicine. Every mobilization and deployment offer invaluable experiences and networking opportunities. Because of these experiences, I am able to provide tactical medicine training for Active Shooter Operations in Bedford County.

Q. You also mentioned interfacility transport. How did your time in that role change your perspective now that you are responding to 911 calls?

Interfacility transport provided me with a fantastic foundation as a paramedic. Being able to see the course of hospital treatment and outcomes has given me better insight into what patients need in the prehospital setting, how to prepare them mentally and emotionally for what may occur in the hospital, the capabilities of various facilities, and more.

Q. What do you like about working for Bedford County Department of Fire & Rescue?

I very much enjoy how large and dynamic the county is. We see a great variety of medical and trauma calls, and this offers more opportunities for critical thinking and time to see medications and interventions take effect while transporting. I am blessed to work with some amazing colleagues, especially my partner who is phenomenal. Our administrative staff are incredibly supportive, especially as I balance civilian and military careers.

Q. What future career goals do you have?

I am almost done with my B.S. in Crisis Counseling and will follow it with a Master of Divinity in order to become a Chaplain in the National Guard. I have found the skills I’ve learned in the program to be incredibly helpful on many calls already, and I look forward to being able to continue improving my patient care.

Q, What advice would you give to someone wanting to start a career in Fire & Rescue?

This career is beautiful and complex. Never quit learning, because your patients deserve the best medical provider the world has to offer. Don’t be afraid to offer empathy and compassion to patients or family members. Finally, take care of yourself by learning how to process difficult calls.