EMS Week Poster Chain of Command

Janice Olszewski is a supervisor of EMS lieutenants, paramedics and emergency medical technicians. She is also the commander of an EMS ambulance battalion. She oversees the work done by EMTs and responds to serious emergencies such as major fires, plane crashes or explosions.

On the quieter side of the job, she has administrative duties that includes keeping track of schedules for EMS staffers, meeting with the operations staff to make sure the EMS is running as smoothly as possible, and working on the computer to set up and execute special safety projects.

Janice started by volunteering for the Pearl River Volunteer Ambulance Corps and received her EMT training through that organization. She found the work very fulfilling and decided to pursue a full-time career. Once she had her EMT certificate, she sent fliers all over the state to apply for a job. She landed her first job in 1987 and has been involved in the EMS ever since. She has won pre-hospital life saving awards and has worked her way up the ranks to lieutenant and then to captain.

"This career is not for everyone" explains Janice. "There is a great deal of physical and emotional stress when dealing with people who are very sick or badly injured. But if you are strong of heart, it is worth trying." A few personal qualities that Janice feels are important to doing well at this busy job are:

• Having compassion
• Maintaining your composure (even in stressful situations)
• Being good at dealing with other people
• Using good judgment
• Being able to adapt to all kinds of situations