"Given that I have several years of experience as an ECA, I am able to assess and understand a situation quickly. Time is always of the essence, so arriving on the scene and quickly forming a plan of action or care helps me succeed each day. Another skill I possess is the ability to remain calm in a stressful situation. Again, having been an ECA for so long, I have been exposed to hundreds of intense, high-pressure situations. I'm not easily rattled, and I have found that the calmer I am, the more calm the patient tends to be, and they trust in my ability to assist and care for them. I'm also resilient in dealing with other people's extreme emotions. I know I'm usually the first to a scene where someone is injured, so they or their loved ones are often hysterical, panicked, or afraid. I always try to put myself in their shoes to understand their perspective better, and I'm able to help them remain calm, and if they are upset, I never take anything they say personally. My job is to help them, no matter what, so I focus on the situation and tasks rather than becoming upset by their strong emotions."
