by Danielle Ray
As a freshman in college, 23-year-old Sterling native Erin Cullinane was struggling to find direction. She was unsure about what her future held and what career path to pursue. When a friend suggested she take an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course she did and says she “instantly fell in love with it”.
“It’s very humbling to be the person that people call when they are experiencing an emergency or a tough time in their life,” she says.
Cullinane has been a member of the Sterling Fire Department since 2015, after becoming an EMT-basic. “I wanted to be a part of the fire department in the town that I grew up in,” she says.
Cullinane decided to further her career by becoming a paramedic and graduated from New England EMS Institute in New Hampshire in October 2017. She is currently the only female paramedic at the Sterling Fire Department.
“My hope is to inspire other females to be a part of emergency medicine,” Cullinane says.
Although she admits it can be hard being away at work for family events and holidays, the ever-changing schedule and diversity among her coworkers are what Cullinane says she enjoys most about being a part of the crew at the Sterling Fire Department. Cullinane is also a paramedic at MedStar Ambulance, working in different areas of Worcester County.
“Sometimes I work during the day, and sometimes I work the overnight shift,” she says. “In that way, I get the opportunity to work with many different people.”
Cullinane says her experience at the Sterling Fire Department over the past three years has been great, and that she has forged friendships there that will last a lifetime.
“I’ve had the opportunity to grow as a paramedic by learning from my peers,” she says. “My fellow coworkers and Chief [David] Hurlbut were my biggest cheerleaders when I was going through paramedic school, and continue to be to this day.”
Know a local hero? Send your story to lex@sterlingmeetinghousenews.com