Becoming an EMT Connects Her With Our Community and Confirms Her Career Path
Meet South Branch Emergency Services Volunteer Mimi Powers
Mimi Powers was always drawn to helping others and health care. Her first year as a volunteer South Branch Emergency Services EMT has shown her she can use those interests to give back to her community and also helped her realize that she wants to be a nurse.
A Place in Her Community
Not quite 21, Mimi is a special education teacher’s aid at High Bridge Middle School, has worked as a lifeguard, and recently earned an associate’s degree in exercise science. Last spring, her friend, SBES volunteer Tiffany Osti told Mimi how much she loved volunteering with SBES and that she thought that Mimi would, too. Tiffany was right.
“The other EMTs and the officers are wonderful, and so are the patients and the nurses, doctors, police officers, firefighters, and everyone you meet,” she said. Mimi lives in Bethlehem Township. “In a spread-out area like Hunterdon County, it can be hard to feel like you’re part of a community,” she said. “Now that I’m older, I wanted to try to find my spot, and South Branch has given me that. Every time you meet somebody new, it makes you realize you are part of an organization that’s an important part of this community.”
Making a Difference
Mimi became a certified EMT in December after taking classes at SBES’s training facility. “My favorite part about it is I get to provide more direct, one-on-one patient care and get to talk to them a bit more – it’s really special,” she said.
But volunteers can ride the ambulance and assist EMTs and paramedics as soon as they have CPR training. “You are very quickly in the thick of it and making a difference,” Mimi said. “You learn to anticipate what the EMTs and paramedics need. You can get equipment ready, or get the stair chair to help move the patient, which saves time. And especially if someone is having an emergency like a heart attack or a stroke, that time can make a big difference.”
Nursing Calls
Mimi was not certain of her career path when she joined SBES, but the more she learned, trained, and helped her neighbors, the more she knew she was meant to be a nurse. “Being at South Branch has really helped me realize what path I want to go on, when I had been really unsure,” she said. “It made my decision easy.”
Her nursing classes start at Raritan Valley Community College in the fall, and they will be easier because of all that she’s learned and will continue to learn as a South Branch volunteer EMT.
SBES is for Everyone
A person doesn’t have to be interested in medicine as a career to provide emergency medical care, rescue services, and hospital transport with SBES or to take on a non-emergency role with the organization. “It’s such a good opportunity to learn useful skills, and meet people, and grow your understanding of the community we live in,” Mimi said. “There are countless reasons why a person should join.”
If helping your Hunterdon County neighbors while learning new skills and forging new friendships appeals to you, reach out to learn more! Fill out a contact form and read more about the many volunteer opportunities SBES offers at sbes365.org. No experience is necessary and training is free for members.
A Place in Her Community
Not quite 21, Mimi is a special education teacher’s aid at High Bridge Middle School, has worked as a lifeguard, and recently earned an associate’s degree in exercise science. Last spring, her friend, SBES volunteer Tiffany Osti told Mimi how much she loved volunteering with SBES and that she thought that Mimi would, too. Tiffany was right.
“The other EMTs and the officers are wonderful, and so are the patients and the nurses, doctors, police officers, firefighters, and everyone you meet,” she said. Mimi lives in Bethlehem Township. “In a spread-out area like Hunterdon County, it can be hard to feel like you’re part of a community,” she said. “Now that I’m older, I wanted to try to find my spot, and South Branch has given me that. Every time you meet somebody new, it makes you realize you are part of an organization that’s an important part of this community.”
Making a Difference
Mimi became a certified EMT in December after taking classes at SBES’s training facility. “My favorite part about it is I get to provide more direct, one-on-one patient care and get to talk to them a bit more – it’s really special,” she said.
But volunteers can ride the ambulance and assist EMTs and paramedics as soon as they have CPR training. “You are very quickly in the thick of it and making a difference,” Mimi said. “You learn to anticipate what the EMTs and paramedics need. You can get equipment ready, or get the stair chair to help move the patient, which saves time. And especially if someone is having an emergency like a heart attack or a stroke, that time can make a big difference.”
Nursing Calls
Mimi was not certain of her career path when she joined SBES, but the more she learned, trained, and helped her neighbors, the more she knew she was meant to be a nurse. “Being at South Branch has really helped me realize what path I want to go on, when I had been really unsure,” she said. “It made my decision easy.”
Her nursing classes start at Raritan Valley Community College in the fall, and they will be easier because of all that she’s learned and will continue to learn as a South Branch volunteer EMT.
SBES is for Everyone
A person doesn’t have to be interested in medicine as a career to provide emergency medical care, rescue services, and hospital transport with SBES or to take on a non-emergency role with the organization. “It’s such a good opportunity to learn useful skills, and meet people, and grow your understanding of the community we live in,” Mimi said. “There are countless reasons why a person should join.”
If helping your Hunterdon County neighbors while learning new skills and forging new friendships appeals to you, reach out to learn more! Fill out a contact form and read more about the many volunteer opportunities SBES offers at sbes365.org. No experience is necessary and training is free for members.