Bree Reynolds was presented with the Put-in-Bay EMS Volunteer of the Year Award in September. (Submitted photo)

BY SHERI TRUSTY

Put-in-Bay EMS Volunteer of the Year Award recipient, Bree Reynolds, fulfilled a lifelong dream when he became an EMT two years ago. He tried to finish his training earlier, but COVID got in the way. Now, he responds to every call he can.

“It was a lifelong dream. I was never squeamish about blood or needles, and I was always compassionate toward anyone that’s hurting,” Reynolds said.

He trained as an EMR (emergency medical responder), which is a step below EMT. Reynolds refers to it as “like advanced CPR.” COVID forced the closure of the testing facilities, so he had the training but not the credentials to serve. After Ohio reopened post-COVID, the opportunity to train as an EMT opened, too, so he skipped EMR and became an EMT.

Reynolds covers full shifts as an EMT on Put-in-Bay in the winter, but in the summer, he works fulltime as a senior deckhand for Miller Boat Line. In his spare time in the summer – which includes when he’s sleeping in the middle of the night – he stays on call as a volunteer.

Becoming an EMT was a lifelong dream for Bree Reynolds. (Submitted photo)

“When my pager goes off, if it’s serious, I go,” he said. “EMTs keep an eye on the patient – on things like breathing and bleeding. We keep them alive and stable while the paramedics do their thing.”

Being an EMT on an island has unique challenges. Because the island has no hospital, transportation becomes a pressing issue for patients experiencing serious emergencies. They must be transported to the mainland by helicopter or boat, depending on the season and the situation.

“Transportation is a big thing,” Reynolds said. “It may take 45 extra minutes while we wait for Life Flight. Sometimes, the helicopter can’t fly, and we have to use a boat. The township has a boat we can use, but if it’s not available, we have to call the Coast Guard. It’s frustrating that we can’t just take them to a hospital.”

A shortage of emergency workers on the small island poses another problem, but cooperation among the islanders helps ease that concern. Volunteer EMTs utilize a scheduling app and group texts to ensure the island always has emergency coverage.

“The other thing about being on an island is having the completely adaptable, on-the-spot communication. It’s a little more intense,” Reynolds said.

In the summer months, Bree Reynolds works as a senior deckhand for Miller Boat Line and serves as a volunteer EMT every chance he can in his spare time. (Submitted photo)

But he is always ready to go when a call comes in. His competence and willingness to be ever-available was recognized when he received the Put-in-Bay EMS Volunteer of the Year Award at the EMS Annual Picnic in September.

“That was an absolute surprise. It felt very good,” he said.

For Reynolds, responding to countless calls is just living his dream.

“I wanted to be an EMT. I didn’t just want to get the credentials,” he said. “The field is very different. Checking blood pressure on a patient who is having a heart attack is different. You think you’re prepared by your training, but you’re not. There are things you just can’t teach people.”

So, Reynolds responds to calls, over and over again.

“I learn something from every call,” he said. “You have to learn from experience, so I show up as often as I can. I show up whenever I’m available, day or night.”