Grab your cup of Monday fuel and join us in getting to know one of our new third platoon paramedics’ Bobby Carpenter!
Tell us about yourself:
My wife Patty and I, with our German Shepherd Emmy Lou, are from the Eastern Kentucky town of Prestonsburg. We have been married for 40 years and have three children and four grandchildren, with the 5th on the way. I have been blessed with a 43-year career in Emergency Services; I have served the Lexington Fire Department as a FF/Medic, The Prestonsburg Fire Department as Fire Chief-Building/electrical inspector, and Kentucky Emergency Management as the Area 7 Manager. In addition, I have worked with Transtar, Lifeguard, and Morgan County EMS. I also served eight years with the KY National Guard. I still enjoy working and plan to be around for a while
1)Where are you originally from?
I was born in Detroit, MI but my parents returned to their childhood home in Prestonsburg when I was 12, and I claim Prestonsburg, KY, as my hometown.
2) What are your hobbies, interests, etc?
I enjoy spending time with Church, Family, Cooking, Woodworking, Swimming, and anything outdoors. In addition, I enjoy teaching and spending time with the Grandkids and rewatching Andy Griffith Show reruns.
3) How did you become interested/get started in EMS?
I lived near a fire station when I was a child, and they became my hangout; they all took care of the little brat that kept coming around. The TV Show Emergency was popular, and I wanted to be Johny Gage, so here I am.
4) What brought you to Georgetown?
During my tenure with Lexington Fire, Central Kentucky became home. But, unfortunately, or should I say, fortunately, Toyota stole the kids and grandkids from us, so we decided to join them here in central KY again.
5) What is your position at GSCEMS?
Paramedic Platoon 3.
6) Where did you go to Paramedic/EMT school?
Lexington Fire Department Paramedic Academy in 1991.
7) What is your favorite thing about EMS/your job?
First, being able to assist our patient’s on the worst day of their life; second, being a part of two distant families, EMS is part of the first responder family and part of the medical community.
8) What is one thing currently that you would change about EMS as a whole? (Pay is not an appropriate answer, sorry)
The misconception is that EMS is only a ride to the hospital rather than trained-skilled professional medical providers. Our duty to act modestly prevents us from articulating how unique EMS is. This failure to toot our own horn causes us to short-change the profession and recruit future practitioners.
9) What is one place in Scott County that you would take a visitor to?
There are many hidden gems in Scott County, and I think everyone needs to visit downtown and its shops, Toyota, and of course the orchards. I am looking forward to finding what I haven’t yet discovered.