RYE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT
Trinidad high school student Gabe Martinez and friends came upon what appeared to be a car accident. They pulled over and called 9-1-1. Martinez didn’t know for sure until several weeks later, but he literally watched a guy take his last breath.
That destiny with death changed Martinez’ life “I felt so helpless,” Martinez shared. “I was volunteering at the time with the local fire department, and that accident motivated me to pursue emergency medical service training. The very next week they offered a CPR class at the high school. I took that and then volunteered with a local volunteer fire department in Las Animas County for almost 10 years, while working with the local ambulance district as well. For 15 years I have been involved with EMS as an EMT, working, teaching, or helping mold the next group of young EMS students.
Martinez, who was born in Colorado Springs but grew up in Trinidad, spent 12 years on the local ambulance crew He currently works full-time for Spanish Peaks Ambulance in Waslenburg, Colorado, as an EMT-B / Supervisor. He also works full-time for Flight For Life Colorado on the ALS/BLS ground unit, and works parttime for the Rye Fire Department.
Martinez has his EMT Basic training plus IV and just completed Paramedic School. He will take a test next month to be listed on the national registry. He also has certifications with Fire Fighting and emergency medical services.
Martinez is looking forward to passing the Paramedic test so that, instead of being on the ground crew with Flight for Life, he may get to take to the sky.
“Being a first responder-EMT is the best job in the world,” exudes Martinez. “It never seems like a job. I feel like it is more a calling and that some people are born to do it.”
Martinez takes every call seriously. In fact, of all the things we talked about this is the primary point. “If you need us, don’t hesitate to call,” he shared. “Anytime anybody calls we respond.
We don’t judge, we respond to your needs.”
Martinez continues, “We are often the best part of somebody’s worst day; and when you are able to save someone’s life or lessen their pain or get them to people who can help them, it is humbling.”
“I work with really great people,” Martinez assessed.
“We work with the same guys and it is almost a brotherhood, a family. Sometimes you have petty disagreements like any close group of people, but when the tones go off (alarm) it’s all about the patient.”
When Martinez has rare time off from his three jobs, he devotes it to family and likes to just blend with the crowd and be an ordinary person.
Critical care medicine is a passion for Martinez and his paramedic license is only the next step in a job he loves.
But he realizes, “Certifications don’t mean squat in the ambulance.” He recognizes that learning must become part of your skill set.
He summarizes, “Rye Fire has such a deep comradery.
Chief Bennett does an amazing job. As a transplant here, everyone is so friendly. It is an amazing community where people try to help their neighbor. It’s great doing what I do in such a strong community.”