SAN DIEGO — The ambulance provider AMR is working to bring more women into the workforce and is offering them free EMT training at Miramar College.
"It's a very male-dominant field and the more women we can get in here the better," said Gabriella Douglas, an associate supervisor at AMR.
Douglas says nearly 70% of EMTs are men. She's hopeful more women will get involved in the industry.
"I think the most rewarding part about this job is providing the best care I possibly can to someone on the worst day of their life," she said.
That's what inspired Judith Ramirez to become an EMT.
"It's very special that I'm able to be in this position and be the help that's arriving to help a person in a medical emergency," Ramirez said.
She graduated from the first 'Earn While You Learn Program,' at Miramar College last year. Now she's excited to see an all-female academy offered this fall. Participants get free tuition, books and are paid to go to class. After the academy and passing a national exam, they're hired by AMR to work as EMTs.
"I get to go home and tell my daughter and share this experience with her. The more women we inspire, it's amazing. It's a very good thing."
She says one of the best parts of this career is being a role model for her daughter.
"Even at a young age she realizes this is not a job which most females normally land in but I think we can change this with each generation and the younger ones look up and say I can do this too," she said.
Learn more about the program, here.
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