WSCC News is a presentation of West Shore Community College in partnership with Mason County Press and Oceana County Press.
By Allison Scarbrough, News Editor
HESPERIA — Hesperia High School senior Grace Eichenberg enjoys helping people, and that passion for assisting others seems to be a genetic trait.
“I’ve always loved helping people,” said the 18-year-old who recently became an Emergency Medical Responder (EMR) for the Hesperia Area Fire Department. Grace obtained her EMR certification through a partnership with West Shore Community College and the Newaygo County Regional Education Service Agency Career-Tech Center.
“Some of these times are the darkest times of the people’s lives, and I get to be there to help them.”
“I’m really proud,” said Grace’s dad, Bob Eichenberg, who is the fire chief for the Hesperia Area Fire Department.
Grace’s older sister Lily also serves on the fire department, and her younger brother Lucas, 16, is a cadet.
Often the four family members will all ride to the fire station together to respond to an emergency. “If all four of us go, it’s a whole carload,” said Bob.
“My oldest was born a month after I started here,” said Bob. “They’ve grown up around it. I’m glad they show interest in it, and I am really proud of what they’re doing. I think it’s really fortunate that West Shore and Newaygo County Career-Tech Center collaborate to put that program together.”
Bob has been a Hesperia firefighter for 20 years and has served as the fire chief for the last decade.
“When she graduates, she will have an opportunity to test for an EMT license. So it gives students an opportunity to go out and get a job immediately after high school. They also have an opportunity to test for their CNA certification as well. That collaboration between them is super beneficial. Everything that the career tech does are highly in-demand jobs.”
As a newly-trained EMR with the fire department, Grace had a unique opportunity to put her skills to the test when she assisted with the delivery of a baby.
“About a month ago, we had a call, and it ended up turning into an active labor,” said Grace. “We were called there, because (the mother) needed transport to the hospital. The baby was born when we got there, but we helped cut the baby’s umbilical cord and deliver the placenta and just made sure that both of them were doing well.
“I’m going to go into nursing, specifically labor and delivery,” Grace said of her career plans. “Being in that moment, I definitely felt like I could do that for the rest of my life.”
Grace has been enrolled in the career tech program for two years and just obtained her state EMR license in December.
Being a member of the fire department is not just about fighting fires. “We provide fire suppression type services but we also provide medical first response,” said Bob. “We allow our members to do one or the other or both if they want to, and most do both. Medical calls are the bulk of where our responses come from. Usually about 75-80 percent of our calls per year are medical calls.”
“I’ve always wanted to be in health care — I’ve always known that,” said Grace. “I definitely jumped on the opportunity.”
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