911 call leads to EMS career for new Dodge Center Assistant Ambulance Director

Amanda Schmidt knows all too well what it is like to call 911 on your worst day.
She was in sixth grade, and she had what she described as an “interesting medical issue” in her family.
She had to call for an ambulance, and that was the day she decided she wanted to become an EMT.
“When I was kind of taking in everything that was happening as a 6th grader at that time, that really left an impression on me of ‘Wow, like I wanna do what these people do.’”
To this day, she said she still tries to emulate what she saw all those years ago.
“I want to apply what they did and be there for people when it’s their worst day and provide that quality care for the people,” Schmidt said.
Now after over a decade working in the profession, responding to emergencies like the one that happened in her own family, Schmidt was recently named Dodge Center Ambulance assistant director.
Start In rural EMS
Schmidt started her career in 2015, working in rural EMS. She said everything she had done in life was to fulfil the commitment she made to help people on their worst days.
“Everything I did as far as work up until then was to hopefully have an end goal of being a paramedic, and I stuck with it,” she said. “I definitely don’t regret that decision.”
Schmidt, who is from Dakota County, would commute to Wabasha, where she began her career. She found inspiration to serve rural communities during her schooling in the Twin Cities.
“I had one particular instructor while I was in medic school who was really passionate about rural EMS, and he said It takes a special person to do rural medicine because out here we have to…really think on our toes, be high functioning and… have a longer transport time,” Schmidt said, noting the differences from working in the seven-county metro area.
Schmidt worked in Wabasha for two-and-a-half years.
While there, she met John Fox, who is the current Dodge Center Ambulance Director.
“Dodge Center Ambulance is excited to bring Amanda Schmidt on to our team as our Assistant Director,” Fox wrote in an email. “Amanda has a strong clinical background with a decade of experience in a variety of settings including suburban, metro, and rural. Amanda will be a great asset in achieving our goals of providing high quality, reliable, and sustainable ambulance service to our communities.”
He added: “I personally am encouraged by her passion for rural medicine. In her interview a particular phrase she used really helped me decide she was the right person for the job. ‘Your Zip Code should not determine the level of care you receive.’ I fully expect her to be a great addition to our team.”
Schmidt later took a job with Alina Health EMS. She said she will continue to work there as a paramedic from time to time.
Back To Rural EMS
Her first job provided the connection that landed her the position in Dodge Center. She knew the director, John Fox, from their days at Wabasha.
It would be a new challenge, Schmidt said.
“I missed rural EMS and I was looking for an opportunity to once again kind of challenge myself and, and push myself. This is a very different position that I’m used to, but I have a feeling I’m definitely gonna love it here. I already love it here. It’s been a fantastic time. I’ve only been here for three weeks, and I’ve already met so many great people.”
One of the highlights Schmidt pointed to is that, no matter someone’s job title, they have “such a high functioning crew.”
“It doesn’t matter whether or not they’re an EMR, EMT, paramedic, everyone is thinking on their toes all the time and being innovative, and I really enjoy that and hope to continue that culture where we can just brainstorm and work together,” Schmidt said.
For Schmidt, being able to ride on and help run an ambulance wasn’t just a dream she had as a kid. It’s something she’s been able to do with no regrets.
“Being a paramedic has probably been one of the best things ever, and I’m excited in this position to be able to have such a high functioning crew here at Dodge Center and to be able to hopefully create an environment for them to continue to thrive,” she said.