Monday may end the weekend and mean you have to put on your business clothes, but that’s okay because you get to meet our #MedicMonday! Don’t worry, he isn’t a fan of Monday’s either!
Today, Director & Paramedic Chris Runyon wanted you to know more about him!
Tell us about yourself.
Besides being old, and constantly being reminded of that when I’m at work, there’s not much to know. I am married to Angela, we met in high school and after a few years of her trying to decide if I was “the one” we married in 1990 – yes that’s 30 years ago, thanks for doing the math! We have two children, our daughter, Sarah, who is currently working on her graduate degree in education (yes, it’s true she gets all her smarts from me); and our son, Seth, who, thanks to the pandemic, had to give up living in sunny Florida and move back to Kentucky. He is an aspiring rock star (hard to believe but yes, it’s true – he gets all his talent from me). We also have a granddaughter, Bristol who will be 2 this summer (lucky for her she gets all her adorableness from me). What fortunate kids to have such good genes! Of course, I couldn’t NOT mention my 11-year-old dog-daughter Lilly. She really is the best!
1)Where are you originally from?
Pike County, KY.
2) What are your hobbies, interests, etc.?
I am a big sports fan; football, basketball, baseball, NASCAR, poker – pretty much if it involves competition and somebody is keeping score count me in! I also enjoy woodworking, a good book, and a good glass of bourbon (come to think of it I don’t think I’ve ever had a bad glass of bourbon).
3) What got you interested/started in EMS?
I was working in the coal mines in WV when new laws were passed that required each mine to have a certain number of EMTs on the jobsite. The mining company offered an opportunity to attend EMT Class and I volunteered. When I did my ride time during EMT Class I knew immediately what I wanted to do with the rest of my life.
4) What brought you to Georgetown?
I moved back to Kentucky, from South Carolina, in 2013 to help the family with some medical issues. We moved to Lexington and I worked there for a few years before accepting a position with GSCEMS.
5) What is your position at GSCEMS?
Director or Head Flunky – I’ll answer to either. Those are the titles people call me in public, the other ones aren’t suitable to mention here.
6) Where did you go to Paramedic school?
Marshall University
7) What is your favorite thing about EMS/your job?
The camaraderie, for me it’s always been about the relationships I’ve developed in this job. I’ve never met a profession with so many sincerely caring, genuine people. I still have friends from my first EMS job waaayyyyyyy back in 1989 and so many more I’ve made along the way! EMS folks really are the best!
8) What is one thing currently that you would change about EMS as a whole?
For me, I think it’s the recognition and the respect. The truth is not many people understand the adversity and the challenges we face on a daily basis. Because of that we often get overlooked when people refer to the first responder community. I may be a tiny bit biased, but in my opinion, EMS is where you find the heroes!
9) What is one place in Scott County that you would take a visitor?
GSCEMS HQ of course! There is no better place in the county!