Meet Paramedic Karen McIntyre with YRPS - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Public safety - It plays a critical part in ensuring residents of any community have the opportunity to live well and reach their personal full potential. Public safety is about protecting the general public and prioritizing an individual's physical safety. First Responders - including firefighters, police officers and paramedics - are most often providing the hands-on support that makes any community physically safe.
York Region Community Open House - Join us in celebrating International Women's Day and the first responders of York Region on Saturday March 5th from 10am to 2pm.
The individuals who protect and serve their communities are professionals dedicated to being their best with each situation they face. In honour of International Women's Day and together with the Ontario Provincial Police, York Regional Police, Central York Fire Services, York Region Paramedic Services, and Neighbur, we are excited to present eight female emergency first responders who represent their professions with honour and distinction. We invite you to read each of their stories and learn more about how their aspirations, motivations, celebrations and strong ethic of caring for themselves and others have shaped their respective careers.
More Her First Responder Stories:
Meet YRPS Deputy Chief Paramedic Natalie Kedzierski - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Meet YRP Police Officer Mina Rahravan - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Introducing CYFS Firefighter Amber Bowman - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Meet CYFS Firefighter Amanda Leigh - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Meet CYFS Firefighter Kristy Paterson - Celebrating International Women's Day 2022
Introducing Karen McIntyre - York Region Paramedic Services Primary Care Paramedic & Lead Community Paramedic
Video courtesy of neighbur.
Q: How long have you been a first responder?
A: I have been a paramedic for 6 years, mainly working on the ambulance. For the past year I have been working as a Community Paramedic.
Q: Did you grow up wanting to be a first responder?
A: Funny enough I did. Being a paramedic was the first job I ever recall wanting to do when I was growing up. As a child, I used to love helping people when they were sick or injured, being the first to run to the medicine cabinet to grab some bandages, gauze or medicine. My mother used to call me her “little paramedic” from a young age. I was always interested in science and healthcare and knew that was the direction I would go toward for my career someday. As I got older I toyed with the idea of becoming a doctor or nurse, but while I was in university, I ended up circling back around to paramedicine. I loved the program and have enjoyed my work ever since. It's been a great fit for me.
Q: Where did you go to school to learn to be a first responder?
A: I studied paramedicine at Centennial College. I now teach there as a Lab Instructor which has been very rewarding.
Q: What has been the highlight of your career?
A: I don’t have any one big special moment that jumps out to me, rather many smaller ones over my career thus far. I'm very passionate about my work and I take pride in being able to help people every day. It’s not every day that a paramedic is performing high acuity calls and saving lives, but I do enjoy the daily interactions with patients, making a connection with them and helping any way I can. I do remember the lives I’ve saved and the lives I’ve lost, but my favourite moments in this job are usually when I was able to provide reassurance to a patient or family member and experience the positive impact on someone when delivering compassionate care.
One particular highlight in my career thus far would be my time within Community Paramedicine. It has been a fantastic learning opportunity where I have gained skills and perspectives beyond my initial training and has allowed me to deliver better tailored service to vulnerable populations based on their needs.
Q: What do you do to keep physically fit and take care of your mental wellbeing?
A: When I first started my paramedic training, I got a personal trainer for a couple years and worked out in the gym regularly to prepare for the physical demands of the job. Now I try to stay fit and active through at-home workouts, playing sports and going for walks. I like to do activities that keep my body busy and mind quiet.
In terms of my mental health, I'm lucky to have a great support system of friends and family that I can talk to when in need. I try to check in with myself regularly and reflect on how my mental health is doing and reach out for support when needed. Self-awareness is a really important part to maintaining mental well-being and helps me stay resilient in this field.
Q: What’s your favourite thing to do outside of being a first responder?
A: Some of my favourite things to do outside of work are traveling, playing volleyball, rock climbing and spending time with family. We’re all big euchre players. I also very much enjoy a quiet day in with my spouse relaxing after a busy week.
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