Meet Vickie Gruver, Emmaus Ambulance Corps EMT

Full name: Vickie Gruver

Tell us about your family:

Gruver has been married for 29 years. She has two grown boys, one granddaughter (age 6) and one grandson (age 3).

Where do you live? Emmaus

Job Title/Description:

Part-time Emergency Medical Technician, for 23 yrs. Gruver also works as a full-time certified nursing assistant (CNA) and a part-time security guard.

Explain what you do on a daily basis:

"As an EMT, I am responsible for being the right hand to the medic. They rely on the EMT to know what they will need. 

"When I am on the clock at Central Station, we are responsible to be sure that trucks are ready to respond, having fuel, oxygen and all the required equipment. We are responsible for doing trip sheets after a call if it was a call that did not require a medic to be in charge."

What inspired you to do what you do?

"I decided to become an EMT when, one day, my husband was having chest pain, and I had no idea what to do."  

What's your favorite part of your job?

"I really like helping people, and hope that I can make a difference in their lives."

In what other ways do you serve your community?

• Volunteer with (EYA) for 18 years; EYA Chairperson for four years
• Parks and Recreation Commission for 10 years

Tell us a story you'll never forget from your experience.

"It is my very first call after my Advanced First Aid training. The call came in as an ‘unresponsive.’  It turned out the patient did not know that he was a diabetic. His young son tried to wake him, but was unable to and woke up the mother/wife. She called the ambulance. I still stay in touch with the family."

What would you tell people interested in joining the Emmaus Ambulance Corps?  

"Emmaus Ambulance is a second family. You have people that you can depend on to be there when you need them. It is a fantastic learning experience."