Reeves County, TX — Six months into his emergency medical services career, EMT Luis Alvarado says he has found what he calls “the best job.”
Reeves County Emergency Service District No. 2 featured Alvarado, who is assigned to B-Shift, as part of its Medic Monday series.
Before becoming an EMT, Alvarado spent several years volunteering with a local fire department. After friends working for the ESD encouraged him to apply, he entered the district’s EMS Cadet Academy, completed the program and earned his EMT certification.
Alvarado described the academy as a “roller coaster of learning” and credited Chief Davis and Captain Johnson with preparing cadets for more than simply passing an exam.
“They prepared us to meet the toughest challenges we would face working as EMTs,” Alvarado said.
For others considering the profession, Alvarado said they should be willing to adapt to challenges and be prepared to help people on some of their worst days.
Originally born in Veracruz, Mexico, Alvarado moved to Austin at age 5 and has called El Paso home for the past four years.
And life at the station has already included one important rite of passage: cooking for the crew. Alvarado rated his spaghetti and meatballs a confident 10/10 — although he figures his coworkers would give it an 8/10 after discovering the meatballs were frozen.
