When Carrie Schwartz wanted to supplement her knowledge as a Registered Nurse, she figured an emergency medical services program would be a good way to do that.

Carrie has been employed as an Emergency Room RN and as an instructor at Blackhawk for more than 30 years. She currently serves as an instructor in the Emergency Medical Technician program and teaches several EMS-related courses, including Basic Life Support, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and Pediatric Life Support.

The Monroe native has seen the EMS field heavily evolve since getting involved with Green County EMS in 1975, the same year she graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Carrie started going on ambulance runs as an RN and then took classes at the EMT-Basic level before working her way up to the EMT Critical Care Paramedic level.

With her experience instructing in the EMT program over the years, Carrie says studying hard and practicing are good ways for students to be successful in a program where they are trained to save lives and make a difference. They also need to be versatile problem solvers when placed in the variety of circumstances.

“Be open to learning in various ways and to be able to look for various options to care for the people we serve,” she said.

Additionally, the use of specialized equipment makes working as a team and supporting each other more important. It’s also important to have family support.

“I am truly blessed to have been able to have been there and doing the care and comforting during a person’s worst day of their life,” she said. “This gives my life meaning and purpose through EMS.”

Outside of work, Carrie enjoys spending time with her seven grandchildren as well as gardening, crocheting, reading and traveling.

For more information on Blackhawk’s EMT program, go to blackhawk.edu/emt.

National EMS Week is observed from May 21-27. In 1974, President Gerald Ford authorized EMS Week to celebrate EMS practitioners and the important work they do in our nation's communities.