Paramedic of the year fulfills multiple roles

By Latreecia Wade

Paramedic Fred Biermann said making a career change sort of late in life was one of the best decisions he could have made.

"God had other plans for me," said Biermann, who recently was named the St. Charles County Ambulance District's Paramedic of the Year.

Biermann, 51, of south St. Louis County, said his career with the ambulance district started when he was a 45-year-old St. Louis city firefighter and decided to go back to school.

"At first I went to paramedic school so that I could continue to work in the city of St. Louis," Biermann said. "My wife joked with me, saying, 'We all know you won't be going to school if it's just to be a paramedic.'"

Biermann, however, said he fell in love with being a paramedic and has been for five years.

"We don't just respond to emergencies to assist the patient, but we help their families, too," Biermann said. "Some of your calls (as a paramedic) are seeing people on their worst days of their lives."

In addition to his duties on the ambulance, Biermann plays a pivotal role in the district's training and public education programs, according to a news release from the ambulance district. He is an adjunct instructor for the district's EMT, paramedic, Advanced Cardiac Life Support and CPR programs.

"He is a highly sought-after preceptor for students wishing to obtain their clinical hours and practical experience," said district spokesman Martin Limpert.

Each year, paramedics nominate a fellow employee for the district's highest honor. Nominations are forwarded to a panel comprised of former paramedic of the year recipients for final selection.

Nominees must meet a certain set of criteria.

"Fred possesses a wonderful, caring bedside manner. He treats every patient as if they were a family member," Limpert said. "His holistic approach to patient care ensures that the family's needs are being met as well as those of his patient."

"I'm just grateful they (the ambulance district) took a chance on hiring me. When you're changing careers it's kind of an uphill battle that your waging," Biermann said. "I'm thankful that God put me here."

Biermann said he still remembers helping a 16-year-old boy three years ago who was having some psychological issues and just needed someone to talk to.

"He was just a really good kid," Biermann said. "I told his mom that and she started crying."

The boy asked Biermann to pray for him, a request that Biermann said he still honors.

"For some reason I always remember him," Biermann said. "Sometimes it's the uncommon calls that get to you."

Biermann also assists with the district's child car seat installation program and serves on an eight member advisory committee for L'arche USA, an organization that began in France with a mission focused on the care of children and adults with disabilities.

"I just think it is a great honor to be selected by your fellow workers," Biermann said. "To think that they thought so much of me is truly an honor."