Recently I arranged a tour of the Boothbay Region Ambulance Service facility for three Boothbay Region High School students, who shared with me an interest in health care. Eleanor Erwin, Arabella Hodgdon and Addie Barter, all sophomore student athletes, were met by BRAS Chief Kristen Roberts and EMT Emily Densmore, a 2023 BRHS graduate.

Chief Roberts and EMT Densmore started by showing a mock ambulance which is used for training. Next, we sat inside an ambulance, where all the medical equipment was spoken about in detail. We finished up in the training room, where everyone was able to practice CPR.

It was a great exchange of information from Chief Roberts and EMT Densmore to the three students, who had many questions. The students were quite energized from this meeting and expressed their appreciation to Roberts and Densmore. I asked everyone if they would be willing to share a bit about the tour, their background and future plans for an article in the Boothbay Register.

Eleanor Erwin said she has always been interested in healthcare, which is spread so wide. She said there are so many amazing opportunities to help save lives and benefit people. Eleanor enjoyed the entire experience of learning how ambulance service works, the schooling required, the home life of paramedics, how they receive calls, and trying CPR for the first time.

Eleanor said Chief Roberts and EMT Densmore were very specific when talking about working in emergency service. She said they made her understand how it works. Eleanor said Chief Roberts and EMT Densmore were so nice and so open to answering any questions we had. They definitely started to grow an interest in her about becoming a paramedic.

Arabella Hodgdon said it was great to tour the ambulance station and have a hands on experience to do CPR. She enjoyed all the knowledge she gained through being in the ambulance and seeing how all the medical equipment worked. Arabella said Chief Roberts and EMT Densmore were quite knowledgeable about their field and also very nice. She said his tour gave all of us a better idea of what our futures could look like. Arabella said she would like someday to be a labor and delivery nurse. 

Addie Barter shared how she enjoyed learning about all the costs involved in the operation of the ambulance station. She was quite impressed with the specific costs for the ambulance and all of the equipment.

Addie liked learning how the ambulance attendants operate in this demanding line of work. She gained a deeper appreciation for the dedication and teamwork which goes into responding to emergencies and supporting the community. Addie is interested in becoming a family medicine physician. She would welcome the opportunity to gain the experience of being an EMT.

Emily Densmore said after graduating from BRHS in 2023, she went on to study biology with a concentration in pre-med at University of Maine in Orono. After learning about the Volunteer Ambulance Corps, {UVAC}, a fully functioning, student run ambulance on campus, she applied for a position and was accepted.

At first Emily was not sure she wanted to work on an ambulance but shortly discovered her love for EMS. She started with no experience, having no knowledge what pre-hospital medicine would involve. Emily found everyone who she was working with was willing to teach her and answer all her questions.

She learned a lot from UVAC clinically about herself and what life in EMS is all about. Emily appreciated the type of family you form from working so many hours a week with your co-workers. This included the type of relationships you form when you work 12-24 hours straight with just 1 person. After two months, Emily took the Ambulance Operator Course and became a driver, working during the summer for BRAS.

When she returned to UMO, Emily said she was looking for a change. She wanted to be working on the ambulance. Emily completed the basic EMT course and got her license. She is now pursuing an Advanced EMT License.

Emily shared the best thing about EMS is there is always something new to learn. This could be clinical skills, using new equipment, and better understanding and support of your patients. 

Chief Roberts said how happy they were to welcome local high school students for the tour and to learn more about careers in EMS and other areas of health care. The students had the opportunity to explore our ambulances, seeing lifesaving equipment up close and hearing what it’s like to respond to emergency calls.

Chief Roberts said the students were engaged, asked thoughtful questions and showed genuine interest in the profession. Visits like this help inspire the next generation of EMS professionals and demonstrate how students can live, work, and make a difference right here in their own community. We encourage other students, who may be curious about EMS or healthcare to consider visiting the station and learning more about this rewarding career path.