Two years ago, Portage native Cassandra Bolstridge was involved in a devastating car accident. Her car was destroyed and she severely dislocated and shattered her right ankle. She was flown to Eastern Maine Medical Center where she endured a five-hour surgery. She spent the following six months unable to walk.
“If it had not been for the quick and careful actions of the Crown Ambulance emergency medical technicians (EMTs) and paramedics, I probably would have lost my foot that night,” she said. Although the accident was a traumatic experience, it opened her eyes to the role of an EMT. “They can truly help a person and save their quality of life. For me it was just my foot, but for others, it’s their life,” she said.
From the time she was a child, Bolstridge knew she wanted a career in the medical field. “I love helping people. It’s very rewarding.” She also has family ties to the emergency medical services (EMS) field. Her father was the fire chief in Portage and her mother is an EMT.
“I wanted to follow in my mother’s footsteps and become an EMT as a stepping stone to something else,” she said.
Bolstridge spent one semester studying EMS at Southern Maine Community College in South Portland, but knew she wanted to return to Aroostook County. Now a student at Northern Maine Community College in Presque Isle, she plans to continue her education to become a physician’s assistant and work as a paramedic after she graduates from NMCC with her associate in applied science degree in EMS.
She is happy she chose NMCC. “My experience here has been amazing. My instructors are not just teachers. They work in the field and share their personal experiences.” She also likes the individualized attention she receives from her instructors. “They are very focused on you. They want you to succeed and be knowledgeable about EMS.”
She has developed friendships within the program and enjoys working with her peers to acquire skills in EMS. “The program gets you ready to work. I love it.”
Bolstridge has had a lot of exposure to EMS. In addition to having several friends and a boyfriend who works in the field, she had the opportunity to do her clinical experience at the Caribou Fire and Ambulance while completing the basic EMT course. She admits that she was somewhat nervous in the beginning and questioned if her male colleagues were going to like her. She speaks highly of Adam Chartier, a firefighter/paramedic at the facility, stating that he made her feel welcome.
“EMS in Aroostook County is like a family. Employees are helpful and supportive of NMCC students,” she explained. “They are there to help you. They have been in your shoes and know what it’s like.”
Her hard work and guidance from others has paid off, as she recently became a nationally certified EMT.
She discussed the strengths that women can contribute to EMS. “Women are nurturing, so patients tend to be more comfortable with a woman,” she said. She stated that women also have smaller hands, which makes it easier to perform certain tasks.
According to Bolstridge, potential challenges for a woman in EMS include less physical strength compared to men, the possibility of being second-guessed by others, and the lack of contact with other women in the workplace.
She advised females who may be considering a career in EMS not to be discouraged because it is a male-dominated profession, but to develop a sense of humor and have thick skin.
“If you respect them, they will respect you,” she said. “Don’t sell yourself short. You can do it.”
She also offered tips to be a successful student. “It’s okay to struggle. Just keep going and don’t give up. Focus is key. To stay focused, you need to study. Keep your drive,” she said, adding a desire to learn is crucial.
She is passionate about the EMS field. “You never know what you are going to do on a day-to-day basis. Helping people and being a part of that moment gives you an adrenaline rush. It also makes you appreciate life.”
