Your EMS Week Stories: Chris McCarthy and Kate Soons

Chris McCarthy and Kate Soons are amazing educators who have been strong pediatric champions not only within their services but also across Vermont for many years. I have had the pleasure to have both as mentors and role models in a heavily male-dominated world. I was new to Vermont and fairly new to EMS when I got involved in the Vermont EMS for Children program. Chris and Kate helped me learn Vermont EMS, as well as how to promote the integration of pediatrics into the EMS system.

This dynamic duo has spent countless hours traveling across the state teaching many rural, volunteer EMS services to be better prepared for challenging and often stressful pediatric calls. I remember one evening when they organized a skills night for my EMT class; we spent the evening attempting to backboard an 8-year-old boy and perform pediatric assessments on a toddler. Both children had EMS parents and so were quite familiar with scared EMT students afraid of kids. The 8-year-old was a true Houdini: No matter how hard we attempted to secure him to the backboard, he kept wiggling out of the restraints. The toddler sat in mom’s lap, warily observing the unsure students as they attempted to find a brachial pulse and listen for lung sounds. Though I was used to interacting with my nieces and nephews, it was awkward working with other people’s little ones. That exposure better prepared me for future calls with kids and their families.

Chris McCarthy and Kate Soons have been resilient leaders in Vermont EMS. They have taught and guided so many into the EMS family. I would not still be in EMS had I not had these strong women in my life. EMS needs amazing women leaders to help shape the next generation of EMS. I can only hope to be such a mentor in my own career.