By Corvo Rohwer, Puyallup Tribal News
When it comes to saving lives, Puyallup Tribal Member and Saluda County Emergency Medical Services Captain Rita Jimenez stands ready to answer the call.
Jimenez has been working in emergency medical services since graduating high school in 1999 after a family friend in the field gave her an application. While initially hesitant, this moment would jump start her career path and open doors she never thought possible.
“I never even thought of working on an ambulance before, but they were paying for EMT school and training so I applied and joined,” Jimenez said. “I seemed to fit right in.”
Following up on her success, she went on to continue her training with a fire academy as well as paramedics.
Emergency medical services isn’t like a traditional job, as shifts last for 24 hours and are followed by 72 hours off. Working in an ambulance also requires both a cool head and strong resolve, as Jimenez said the tasks she performs change drastically depending on the situation.
“It’s not just applying bandages and checking blood pressures. We also administer medications, monitor and check for heart problems with cardiac monitors, start IVs, put breathing tubes into people who need it, administer first aid and CPR, cut people out of cars that have been in collisions and so much more,” Jimenez said.
Continuing her work in the South Carolina county of Saluda in 2022, Jimenez received a promotion to captain only a year later on Oct. 1, 2023. Instead of just being responsible for the ambulance she was personally working on, she now supervises six crew members alongside her responsibilities as a first responder.
“I work with such an incredible team of individuals and my big goal is to make them all proud to be on my crew,” Jimenez said.
When the captain position first opened up, she wasn’t initially aware her superiors were eyeing her for the spot. Jimenez said when she received the promotion opportunity from her director, Jacob Starnes, she felt honored that he saw potential in her.
“It was a complete surprise and I was in shock when he (Starnes) called me and asked how I would feel about being promoted,” Jimenez said. “He had seen something in me, along with the assistant director and three other captains, that made him think I would be a good fit. I’ve never had a boss believe in me before.”
Jimenez said one of most rewarding parts of the job is teaching new employees and students who may have never worked on an ambulance before. Citing a memory of her brother, Jimenez explained why sharing the knowledge of how to provide aid to those in need is valuable to her.
“Personally, I think about one of my brothers that had asthma so severe that he would have to be rushed to the hospital often. I couldn’t help him and that feeling was terrible,” she said. “All I can think is, I can possibly fix someone else’s family member now if they need it because I’m trained and ready with the knowledge I have gained over the years, as well as experience.”
With retirement eligibility right around the corner in 2027, Jimenez hopes to continue working as captain of her team until then. Jimenez offered her thanks to her crew members and co-workers in Saluda County, but she wanted to emphasize her profound appreciation for her husband and family for their support throughout her career.
“It takes strong people to stand by your side and support you when you work in careers like these with odd work hours, stress and being gone,” Jimenez said. “My husband and family have shown nothing but pride and support, thank you. Big thank you to my Uncle Don (Coats) whom guides me with Native wisdom and pride.”
Photo courtesy of Don Coats
