By OBBM Network Editorial Staff

Derived from an episode of Locked In With Ian Bick.

Brendan Thomas has been on the streets of Connecticut as an EMT since 2020, responding to everything from routine senior transports to catastrophic crashes. In a candid conversation with host Ian Bick, he recounted the night a motorcycle accident left a victim’s brain exposed on the highway, describing how his crew arrived to find the rider’s head split open, “you could lay a two‑by‑four across her shoulders.”

From License to Lifesaver: The EMT Path

Thomas earned his EMT license originally in 2016 but let it lapse, officially reinstating it in 2020. He explained that EMT school lasts about six months, focusing on passing the national test, after which on‑the‑job training teaches the real skills. In Connecticut, the emergency response hierarchy includes EMRs (basic responders), EMTs (basic life support), and paramedics (advanced life support). Paramedics can administer drugs, interpret heart rhythms, and intubate, while EMTs like Thomas are limited to basic interventions and managing ventilators.

Technology on the Road: AI Dash Cameras

Modern ambulances now sport AI‑driven dash cameras that speak to drivers. “We call it Martha,” Thomas said, noting that the system warns, “please reduce speed” and monitors following distance. While the law permits EMTs to exceed speed limits when necessary, the cameras still enforce a “due regard” policy, reminding crews they must balance urgency with safety.

High‑Pressure Calls and the Human Cost

One of Thomas’s most vivid memories involves a four‑month‑old baby and a mother pinned under a falling air‑conditioner. “I scooped her up while her dad ran out the back door,” he recalled, describing the chaos of arriving on scene before he was even allowed to drive an ambulance. Calls like these, he said, leave a “heavy” feeling that lingers long after the shift ends.

Thomas also highlighted the emotional toll of the job. He noted that EMTs and paramedics often develop PTSD after just two years, and he himself sought professional counseling weekly. Coping mechanisms for him included golf, skiing, and the camaraderie of teammates – especially two close friends, Greg and Alex, who he says he would “run into a burning building for.”

Balancing Duty and Well‑Being

Despite the relentless pace, Thomas praised his employer for accommodating schedules and fostering a supportive environment, stating he has “zero complaints” about the agency. However, he warned that there is no extra pay for overtime, and downtime is scarce, underscoring the need for systemic support for EMS personnel.

His story illustrates the broader challenges facing emergency responders across Connecticut: the blend of life‑saving urgency, evolving technology, and the mental‑health strains that accompany a profession where every second truly counts.

As the conversation wound down, Thomas expressed gratitude for the network of colleagues who check in on each other, reinforcing that while the work is demanding, the bonds formed on the frontlines are a vital source of resilience.

The full episode of Locked In With Ian Bick is available on OBBM Network TV.