HAYWARD, Calif. — Things changed quickly this year for emergency medical technicians (EMTs).

Mandy Dale is no exception.

The former Cal State East Bay softball standout is now an EMT ambulance worker for San Mateo American Medical Response (AMR) as well as for the City of South San Francisco Fire Department ambulance. In addition, Dale is currently in school to become a paramedic.  

The 2014 graduate played two seasons with the Pioneers after transferring from Antelope Valley College. A native of Lancaster, Dale helped lift East Bay to a winning record during her final season, highlighted by a game-winning walk-off RBI against Chico State on Senior Day.

Despite the challenges she faces every day a work, Dale believes she was prepared for times like these by her sports background.

"Being an athlete in college taught me a lot," Dale said. "We work alongside others and work together on calls because we're all on the same team. Softball taught me that."

Dale still has fond memories of her days as a student-athletes, especially the bus rides and hotel stays for away games.

Although there were plenty of challenges during the college years — mainly balancing social life, classes and practice — it also helped Dale adjust to life in the Bay Area when she arrived on campus.

"Being a college athlete was the best time of my life," she said.



A New Normal
Being an EMT in San Mateo County is always a busy occupation. However, it went to another level once COVID-19 set in during March 2020.

Like most of the workforce throughout the country, some EMT units initially shutdown. This led to fewer available workers with more emergency calls coming in.

Dale said she came across several people suffering from COVID-19 during this time.

"It was insane at first because everything changed so quickly," she said. "We're used to being out there. Being around sick people is our job. It's what we signed up for.

"But who would have guessed we'd be in the middle of a pandemic? It's the risk you take."

Although life for EMTs and first-responders wasn't altered to the same degree as other industries, there was still a need for coworkers to lift each other up mentally and emotionally through long hours and unprecedented circumstances.

"Our daily lives went on as normal," she said. "I quarantined when I wasn't at work, but for the most part, I was at work everyday. Everyone was stir crazy except us.

"It's part of history. I can say I was there through all of it, and it makes you stronger. You have to find why you started and keep pushing. I'm more aware of what's going on and how out of control things can get."

 

Road Less Traveled

It's been a long road for Dale on the path toward becoming an EMT, and she still has several more miles to go.

Dale is now back in school to become a paramedic, which is the highest level of pre-hospital care and requires more advanced training than being an EMT.

Following graduation from East Bay with a degree in health science and an emphasis in pre-nursing, Dale was admitted into a six-month accelerated EMT program at a junior college. She then had to obtain an ambulance drivers license and pass a National Registry EMT test.

"I already had a degree, but I was like, 'what do I do now?' I decided to be an EMT and I love  it. I like being out in the field setting."
 
It appears this is just the beginning of Dale's impact on the healthcare frontline. But the daily pressure she faces won't be anything new. 

"It can be crazy, but that's what I love about it," she said.