What does it mean to be an ER24 medic?

To mark National Emergency Services Day, three ER24 medics with different qualifications share insight into their roles.

In the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) industry there are three main levels of care from Basic Life Support (BLS), Intermediate Life Support (ILS) to Advanced Life Support (ALS). These levels of care are provided by qualified staff registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) Board of Emergency Care on the following registers: Basic Ambulance Assistant (BAA register), Ambulance Emergency Assistant (ANA register), Emergency Care Assistant (ECA register), Emergency Care Technician (ECT), Paramedic (ANT register), Emergency Care Practitioner (ECP register).

Inspired by her aunt, who worked as a paramedic in Rustenberg, Molai studied to become a Basic Ambulance Assistant in 2015 and joined ER24 the same year. She started working at events and eventually became an assistant co-ordinator in ER24’s Events Department. In that role, she was responsible for allocating staff to events, arranging paperwork, stocking up the ambulance, tracking stock and meeting clients.

She worked in this position until moving into road operations in January 2019, “I wanted to take on a new challenge,” Molai says. While Basic Life Support (BLS) is the entry-level into EMS, it requires dedication and commitment. “Basic Ambulance Assistants need to have critical thinking and problem-solving skills and be able to work as part of a team,” she says. “We aim to deliver the best care possible and improve patient outcomes. Her BAA qualification means she is not permitted to put up IV lines, however she can administer certain drugs provide lifesaving basic life support interventions such as use of an Automated External Defibrillator (AED), suction unit and oxygen, thereby making a positive impact on her patients’ lives. “At the end of the day we all prioritise the best care for our patients,” she says. Molai also ensures the smooth running of operations on her shift. This includes ensuring the ambulance is fuelled, checking for damage to the vehicle and resources, making sure the jump bag is stocked, and oxygen cylinders are full, and that all other equipment is ready for use on the road.

The EMS industry is tough, and the work can be challenging, but she says her motivation comes from knowing she’s in the industry to make a difference. “It fills my heart with joy when I come across people who are thankful to have people like us,” she says. Her relationship with her patients is also important to her, and she likes to bring some levity to the serious business of EMS. “Laughter is the most notable memory when I think about patients,” she says. “Sometimes we will laugh so much together they forget they have pain.”

“I love how quickly ambulances can reach their destination with their sirens on, ensuring patients receive prompt care.” says Bridget Mothupi, an ER24 Ambulance Emergency Assistant, often referred to as Intermediate Life Support (ILS) medic. This is what drove her to choose a career in emergency medicine. As an AEA, Mothupi has more scope and responsibility than a Basic Ambulance Assistant on an emergency scene. She can act as a first responder to patients who have suffered serious but salvageable life-threatening trauma, administer higher-level medications and, in the tragic event that a patient doesn’t make it, can declare them deceased on the scene.

Mothupi says she loves her work because of the connections she has with her patients, her colleagues, and the ability to go beyond the call of duty to assist people.

When Franco Lessing was 16 years old his grandfather suffered a heart attack, and witnessing paramedics working tirelessly to save his life had a profound effect on him. “It solidified my desire to become a paramedic,” he says.

By 2016, he was a qualified Advanced Life Support Paramedic and in 2020 he joined ER24. Lessing has also completed various industry-specific courses, such as Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS), International Trauma Life Support (ITLS), Paediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS) and continuous professional development (CPD) courses. These qualifications make him the “primary medical decision-maker” on any scene, even if he’s working with more experienced Basic Ambulance Assistants or Intermediate Life Support medics. “As an ALS paramedic, I appreciate and consider input from experienced ILS and BLS colleagues, as our combined experience and my clinical judgement ensures the job is done effectively.”

Lessing has further ambitions for his career in EMS and intends to expand his scope in the field. “I anticipate evolving within the profession by exploring different roles,” he says, including volunteering to uplift communities, and moving into a teaching role.

ER24 medics often see the worst kind of hurt and pain and Lessing counts these as some of his most challenging memories to deal with. But he focuses on the positive – such as moments of appreciation or respect from patients. “A simple ‘thank you’ from those we have helped can be profoundly meaningful and reinforces the importance of our work,” he says.

Happy National Emergency Services Day to all our ER24 medics! Your dedication and quick response make a crucial difference every day. We’re incredibly grateful for your tireless commitment to providing exceptional care and support in emergencies.

If you are interested in furthering your studies within EMS, click here.