Joe Bryson is a volunteer EMT at the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He joined WVAC just three short months ago and according to WVAC has quickly become one of the most engaged and active members. 

To the Editor:

I’m not running out of my office through a turnstile and into the streets to save lives like Superman, but I’m not too far off either!

My name is Joe. I’m an apprentice member of the Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps (WVAC). Some of the volunteers who have been doing this longer are used to the transition between their mild-mannered, day-to-day lives, and their superhero job at night or on the weekends. But for me, this is new and exciting!

About 18 months ago, I was reflecting on my job satisfaction, thinking of my kids, and what I wanted to be when I grew up. Working in accounting, I was pretty far away from the goal of superhero I set for myself when I was five. I also felt a little sad. Forty was looming, with two kids, a full-time job (with a commute into the city), and making a change didn’t seem possible. Don’t get me wrong, I was grateful for my life, but I also wanted to do more. I wanted to help–to make a difference.

One day, while talking with a friend about it, he recommended I think about volunteering. So, I researched. I wanted to do something meaningful, to really help people in need, and I wanted something exciting—the opposite of sitting behind a desk at a computer.

I’d never thought about being an Emergency Medical Technician. I didn’t even realize people did the job as volunteers. I looked up the requirements, signed up for a course, passed the national exams, and here I am writing this article with a full heart while on the train into NYC for my desk job.

My heart is full because I’m as close to being Superman as I can get. I’m making 5-year-old me proud. By day, I work in accounting, and by night (not every night of course…just three a month), I’m in my blue uniform, hanging out with other superheroes at our headquarters, and rushing out when we have a call, to jump in the ambulance and go help someone when they need it most. Words can’t capture the satisfaction one feels when seeing someone smile or hearing that thank you, after you’ve helped them through one of the scariest times in their life.

If you feel like you’re missing something, think about volunteering. It doesn’t have to be as an EMT of course, but if you think you can help people when they’re sick or injured, I hope you’ll give it a shot.

Joe Bryson

If you are like Joe and have the need to do more and to help others when they need help the most please contact the WVAC membership coordinator, Diane McDermott, via email or call 203.834.6245.

The Wilton Volunteer Ambulance Corps is a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation and separate from the Town of Wilton.