First Responder Spotlight

EMSSTAT Paramedic of the Year Tackles Problems Head-On

Josh Ou clearly remembers why becoming a paramedic was so appealing to him.

“Initially, it was the problem-solving skills and science,” said Ou. “It’s a very logical approach to solving problems, but it goes way beyond things like textbooks and labs. You’re interacting with people at what might be their worst possible moment, coming up with solutions that can be life-changing.”

Ou was recently named the EMMSTAT Paramedic of the Year. He says he’s proud of the accomplishment and how it reflects how serious he and his co-workers are about every aspect of their jobs.

“We work hard to keep our trucks and gear in tip-top shape,” said Ou, “And it can be pretty challenging since we do shift work. That means we can have shifts as long as 48 hours where we’re away from home, so we learn to use that time wisely.”

Norman is home to Ou, who was raised in Oklahoma City. He studied biochemistry at OU before becoming an EMT, taking his first job with Norman Regional.

“I fell in love with the profession and the job, so I went on to become a paramedic,” said Ou. “I love the autonomy we have on this job, but even more, it’s how we’re able to help people in the community, to make a difference in people’s lives every time we go out on a call.”

It’s that “taking care of people” that Ou feels is one of the best things about his job as an EMSSTAT paramedic.

“The most rewarding part of the job is when we make a difference in someone’s life,” said OU. “All of our calls are important to us, but I’d say there are something like five percent of our jobs where things become time-critical, meaning life or death. It’s not just a job. It’s the lives and the families of the people we help. They are life-changing moments.”

That sense of profound impact is never far from the minds of Ou and his co-workers. They find ways to balance their lives, relaxing and unwinding when not on calls or training. But the sense of readiness is never far away.

“We’re always, in a sense, hyper-vigilant,” said Ou. “We understand that we could be sitting down to eat lunch or something like that, and then a cardiac arrest call comes out. So, we hop on and perform our jobs to the best of our abilities. It always puts a lot of things into perspective.

Ou loves spending time away from his job with his wife and their two dogs. He also finds some peace and solace outdoors.

“What I like to do to detox and relax is go out hiking and exploring and being surrounded by nature,” said Ou. “Just experience what life offers, you know, because keeping a good work-life balance is important.”

Even as Ou works to achieve that balance, he says he and his co-workers are always standing ready for that next call.

“When someone calls 9-1-1 for help, we are always there,” said Ou. “We understand that whether it’s something less severe or something life-threatening, it’s still probably a dark moment for them. I’m always trying to be positive and shine a little light into those dark moments.