How to Become a Volunteer EMT

Love helping people when they need it most — and not squeamish at the sight of blood?

Perhaps you’ve been considering volunteering as an EMT. Being a volunteer Emergency Medical Technician can be incredibly fulfilling on a personal level while allowing you to help out your community in a very direct and real way. Just take it from Brady Kutz, who works full-time as a quality assurance technician at American Family Insurance and volunteers as an EMT in his spare time.

Brady has been an EMT-Basic for over three years and typically volunteers anywhere from 24-36 hours a month — so when it comes to this field, he knows what it takes to succeed.

We sat down with Brady to learn more about the life of a volunteer EMT, from tips and key traits to be successful, training and certification, and much more. With the help of Brady’s firsthand experience, we’ll cover everything you need to know about being a volunteer EMT so you can decide if this dream pursuit is the right path for you!

Advice for all Dreamers

When asked what the biggest life lesson he’s learned since becoming a volunteer EMT, Brady says, “I’ve definitely become a very non-judgmental person. As an EMT, you help people from all ethnicities, backgrounds, ages and gender. It’s broadened my horizons, made me a diverse thinker, and makes me appreciate where I’m from and where I’m at now.”

If you’re looking to pursue a dream outside your full-time job, Brady says, “Try different things. Something will click. You never know what might guide you to something you enjoy.”

According to Brady, research is something he always starts with. “Dig into it. Put an hour on your calendar to research something you’ve always wanted to do. Reach out to people. People love talking about what they do and sharing their passions with other people. Someday, hopefully that’ll be you sharing and giving back.”

He also says to lean on your support networks. While that may look different for everyone, having people in your life who support you and push you to take that step is a key element of fruitfully pursuing a dream.

Support for Your Dream

Becoming an EMT is a noble pursuit — one that’s not for the faint of heart. But pursuing any dream takes hard work and ambition. Don’t let the fear of failure stop you from taking the leap. At the end of the day, it’s about finding passion in your life and doing something that fulfills you. As Brady points out, “We’re not all perfect. That’s why you have your partners. That’s why you have your training.”

At American Family, we’re dedicated to helping you on your dream pursuit. We’ve got a collection of articles that’ll help you along your journey, as well as stories of other dreamers like you. Check out inspiring and motivating stories for more ways you can make a difference.