Join us in celebrating National EMS Week, May 18-24, as we recognize the brave men and women who serve in our Fire Department.
It's National EMS Week and this year’s theme – “We Care. For Everyone.” – focuses on meeting the needs of all our 67,000 citizens. In West Chester, every firefighter also serves as an Emergency Medical Services (EMS) professional. They are trained to be ready for emergencies of all kinds around the clock.
Meet Paul Fenech, who serves as a firefighter and paramedic at Station 75. His dedication to the West Chester community exemplifies what EMS Week is all about.
Q: What inspired you to pursue a career in the fire department and EMS?
Paul: I grew up in the area, graduated from Lakota East, went to Miami University in Middletown, and then University of Cincinnati. After college, I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do. I took a tour of the Evendale firehouse and something just clicked. I just knew this was what I wanted to do. It's hands-on work and something new every day, not sitting behind a desk. So I went to Butler Tech for technical education in the field. My first job was with the City of Sharonville, and I've been serving as a full-time firefighter here in West Chester Township since 2010.
Q: What do you enjoy most about the job?
Paul: That it’s something new each day. I also really like the people I work with. It's great to know you're helping people in the community, even when they’re sometimes at their lowest when you interact with them. You know you’re making a difference.
Q: When responding to challenging incidents, how do you try to put people at ease or provide excellent service?
Paul: I make sure they feel heard. Sometimes people are just having a bad day and need someone to listen. Treating them with respect and being a good listener really makes a difference.
Q: What does a typical day look like for someone in your role?
Paul: We’re here 24 hours a shift, so you never know what you’re going to get. In this township, we deal with a lot of variety, from nursing home calls to vehicle crashes or industrial accidents. The variety is what keeps it interesting. It’s also nice having the hospital nearby because we can follow up easily if we need to after an incident.
Q: What’s something you wish more people understood about your job?
Paul: That there’s a lot that goes into being prepared to respond to so many types of incidents. You’re making decisions right on the spot. We have to make those critical decisions at all hours of the day, regardless of how we are feeling, so we train a lot to make sure we are ready for those situations.
Q: What kind of training helps you make those snap decisions in high-pressure situations?
Paul: We go through EMT and paramedic school. Here at the township, we have continuous training with hands-on, video training, and policy review. Our EMS training department keeps us on top of things. The training never stops.
Q: What do you love most about serving the West Chester community?
Paul: I live here, so I know I’m helping my neighbors and people I might run into again. I’ve been approached when I'm off duty by people and they say, “Hey, you came to my house. I’m doing better now. Thanks.” Being rooted in the community really means a lot.
Q: How do citizens typically respond to you and your team?
Paul: It’s almost always positive. People thank us, even when we’re off duty, or at the store or gas station. They’ll say, “Thanks for what you do, I could never do that.” Sometimes they bring kids by the station or drop things off. We feel really well received.
Q: What advice would you give someone considering a career in EMS?
Paul: Do it if you truly like helping people. There are local schools, and you can go to your firehouse and ask questions. They’ll show you the way.
Q: What makes your team at Station 75 special?
Paul: We’re with each other 24 hours, so you build a bond. There’s a lot of trust from knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses, stepping in when needed. That teamwork makes a big difference.