Deanna Adams is an EMS Provider II in Montgomery County and volunteers as a Charge Aide and Driver at the Glen Echo Fire Department. She has been with the department since March 2024. At GEFD, she also serves as the Leadership Development member on the Driver Training Team. In this role, she oversees training for our new drivers, from the start of their EVOC course through to their being signed off on their last evaluated call. Deanna is an invaluable member of our department, and we are excited to highlight her as our Member of the Month for August!

Please introduce yourself!

Deanna Adams, I’m a second-year law student at Georgetown Law, and I want to be a healthcare lawyer. I’ve been with GEFD for 2.5 years. I’m the Saturday night crew lead, I run our monthly membership trainings, I am a member of our leadership development team.

Why did you choose GEFD?

I grew up around the corner from GEFD, and when I was in high school, my mom started volunteering for Glen Echo. I got to watch her go through EMT class, become a charge aide, and work selflessly throughout the pandemic. My mom inspired me to get my EMT license while I was in college, where I volunteered with my college’s EMS program for all four years.

When I moved back to DC after college, I wanted to continue volunteering, and as a bonus, my mom and I sometimes get to ride together. It is amazing to be able to serve the community that raised me.

What is your favorite memory at GEFD?

My favorite memory at GEFD is not one particular memory, but a series of memories over the last year. I have had the incredible fortune of being a member of the Saturday night crew and getting to know and train some incredible people. They have made every shift over the last year something to look forward to.

From CAVA runs and wacky drills to watching my probationary members get checked off as charge aides, one of the most amazing parts of GEFD is the people you get to know along the way.

What is your favorite part of being an EMT?

My favorite part about being an EMT is the ability to serve. We have the privilege of going out into our community and assisting people when they need it most. Whether that means helping someone get back into bed or assisting someone through a medical emergency, I am grateful for the opportunity to serve my community. I love that no two calls are exactly the same, and that every shift brings an opportunity to learn something new or make someone’s difficult day just a little bit easier.

What would you tell anyone who is thinking about becoming a volunteer first responder?

I would tell anyone thinking about becoming a volunteer first responder that it can be a hard job, but if your heart is in it, the work is worth it. The fire department attracts some of the most incredible people I have met, and as a volunteer first responder, you get to become part of an incredibly supportive community.

While the work is not always easy, you will learn a great deal about yourself and the world through it. Becoming a first responder is an opportunity to expand your horizons, challenge yourself, and learn how to be there for your community.

What is your favorite skill to perform/call type to respond to?

My favorite skill to perform is splinting. No two injuries are exactly the same, so finding the best way to stabilize an arm or leg for transport to the hospital becomes a little puzzle you get to solve. I enjoy being creative with the resources we have to make the patient as comfortable as possible.