Photo By Sgt. Micha Pierce | Paul Ringheiser is the assistant chief of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and...... read more read more
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Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Cherry Point, North Carolina, boasts a multitude of assets to support the mission at a moment’s notice. Cherry Point Fire & Emergency Services (CPF&ES) is one of the most unique. Not all installations have a fire department and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) on-base with certified paramedics prepped and ready. In charge of all EMS personnel and operations at MCAS Cherry Point is Paul Ringheiser, assistant chief of EMS and paramedic supervisor.
“A big part of my job I think is bringing unity to everything,” said Ringheiser. “With 9 paramedics, we all have 9 different ideas on how to do things and one of the things I need to do is cast a vision and get everyone’s ideas formed into one common direction.”
Ringheiser manages nine paramedics and supervises all three ambulances at CPF&ES. His job entails monitoring needed training as well as scheduling all EMS related training events, re-certifications for paramedics and Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) basics, all administrative functions for EMS personnel and ensuring all supplies and resources they need are available, including up-to-date medical knowledge.
“One of the things I like to do when I have the time is to quiz the medics and to make sure that they are staying sharp in their skills, in their craft,” said Ringheiser.
Keeping the paramedics on their toes with knowledge questions not only keeps them medically knowledgeable for any situation, it also helps keep them ready for arriving to a scene where the situation might be abnormal. Helping to keep their mind sharp to various other medical emergencies that may occur on base or off base during a mutual-aid call.
“Basics save medics, the basic skills are what is essential to keep someone alive and that’s stop the bleeding, CPR, maintaining and air way when someone is needing respirations to have air exchange,” said Ringheiser. “Now the paramedic takes a step further, the paramedic can do medications and intravenous therapy that are necessary for someone that is coding.”
With this in mind, Ringheiser works hand in hand with the training chief at CPF&ES to ensure all paramedics and firefighters are taught everything they need to know regularly. Not only does the training keep them sharp, it also keeps the paramedics and EMT basics up to date on their certifications, making sure everyone stays qualified.
Paramedics are required to re-certify every four years and EMT basics are required to re-certify every two years. For Ringheiser this is a priority to keep our unique resource active. All the firefighters at CPF&ES are EMT basic certified and can help the paramedics, should a medical emergency occur so they may further assist military personnel, dependents, civilian employees and residents who may need it.
Together Ringheiser and the training chief create a training plan and schedule EMS experts to come in to teach courses for everything the paramedics and EMT basics need to know. Keeping all the personnel at CPF&ES in the fight and ready to assist at any given moment.
“[CPF&ES] have a resource that can do advanced procedures, minor surgeries, and a cricothyrotomy if we need and we can give advanced medications for somebody in crisis,” said Ringheiser. “Having that on base, making emergency response much more accessible rather than having to rely on off base to come to MCAS Cherry Point is incredible.”
But Ringheiser’s dedication to our personnel didn’t stop with ensuring his paramedics and fire fighters are trained to the highest quality. Ringheiser sought a way to increase his ability to help others when he commissioned as a lieutenant in the air force reserves in August 2019, choosing to become a chaplain.
“I’m helping people in a different way,” said Ringheiser. “Crisis counselling and a lot of EMS is stress and stress induced issues. [CPF&ES] go to a lot of calls that are post-traumatic stress disorder related, depressions related issues, anxiety related issues … it gives me the opportunity to talk to people and listen to people, to process trauma and emotional & mental issues before they become physical.”
Ringheiser’s ability to lead by example has set the tone for the CPF&ES. As the assistant chief of EMS on the installation, he plays a vital role in ensuring our personnel are cared for in what could be the scariest situation of their lives.
“I tell the 9 paramedics that work here they have the greatest job on this base,” said Ringheiser. “It’s a fun job, every day is different, you see different people and they have different issues and you get to help them.”
| Date Taken: | 10.06.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 10.14.2020 10:53 |
| Story ID: | 380323 |
| Location: | MCAS CHERRY POINT, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 43 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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