“Each day that I go into work, I don’t know what emergencies will take place, and what types of calls I will be responding to,” said Chattahoochee Tech graduate Rose Velasco, of Villa Rica, who works as an advanced emergency medical technician (AEMT) for MetroAtlanta Ambulance Service. “The diversity of what we may encounter on a daily basis keeps me on my toes.”
Because of the coronavirus pandemic, it is essential for Velasco to take extra precautions when providing medical help on scene of an accident or emergency. “You never let your guard down,” she said. “A person who is COVID-19 positive could be asymptomatic and not know they have the virus. So as medical providers in the field, we need to be mindful about every encounter we have by wearing the proper PPE (personal protection equipment) to each 911 call we respond to.” The PPE items that have become a vital part of her daily routine include N95 masks, protective eyewear, gloves and face shields.