My Other Life: Melissa Steppler, Ambulance Service Volunteer

“I have had more scary moments than I have fingers!” says Melissa Steppler, owner of Impressions of Brilliance Esthetics Services in Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, and a volunteer with St. John Ambulance (SJA), a volunteer organization with trained Medical First Responders who offer medical services at public events. “We cover events such as National and Western Hockey League games, the Canadian Football League, music festivals, marathons, as well as many others,” she says. 

“Our services range from providing directions, Band-Aids for minor injuries, calls for ‘not feeling well’ — which can turn out to be anything — and taking care of really sick patients who are generally transported by ambulance to the hospital. I’ve seen everything from asthma, seizures, and diabetic emergencies to strokes and heart attacks. Unfortunately I have also dealt with death, which is no easy task.”

Steppler is a certified Medical First Responder and also carries a non-practicing Primary Care Paramedic certificate. MFRs are trained in first aid, CPR, and defibrillators, as well as blood pressure, glucose levels, pulse oximetry (oxygen saturation with red blood cells), and oxygen therapy.

“I enjoy helping patients in their moment of need,” she says. “It keeps my training current, I get out of the house, and I meet some really great people. I also see volunteering as helping out my community wherever possible. I remember being little and wanting to help when someone was sick or injured. Once I graduated from high school I went to school to be a Primary Care Paramedic. I enjoyed every minute of the training and clinical practicum, but was unable to find work in the field at that time.

“I get a lot of thank you’s, whether it’s for just being at an event, giving a Band-Aid, or taking care of someone who’s sick. In the end volunteering is so worth it!”