Meet-A-Medic: Edwin E. Reyes, Clinical Specialist — Field
I’m Edwin E. Reyes, currently serving as a Clinical Specialist and a Recruitment Ambassador for ATCEMS. I have been a Medic for over 20 years and started working for the City of Austin in October of 2006. I have three daughters and a son that I adore and love. In addition to working for ATCEMS I also operate a small medical company. During my time off I spend lots of time with my kids. I’m also a San Antonio Spurs fan and attend many of their home games.
Where are you from originally and what brought you to Austin?
I was born in Ponce, Puerto Rico. I did a lot of moving throughout my young life due to being part of a military family. I went to high school in San Antonio and started my medic career as a volunteer firefighter.
What inspired you to become a medic/What attracted you to this career choice?
While in high school I volunteered as a firefighter and became an Emergency Care Attendant (ECA). After that I decided to become a paramedic.
How long have you been with ATCEMS and what motivated you to work here?
I have been with ATCEMS for 13 years. I had always wanted to work here. Years ago it was almost impossible to get a chance to apply here. As a matter of fact, I had the opportunity to apply in 2001 but was not successful at getting hired. But guess what? I never gave up and here I am now.
What is your favorite part about working here at ATCEMS?
My favorite things about working here are the medics I get to work with and the progressive protocols at the department.
If you had guests visiting Austin for the weekend, where is the first place you would take them?
If I had guests visiting I would probably take them out to the hill country, to somewhere like Wimberley or Fredericksburg.
What is your favorite taco joint in town?
Maybe Juan in a Million on East Cesar Chavez Street.
What do you do on your days off to relax and unwind?
Watch television.
Who inspires you?
Both of my parents inspire me. They both raised me to be a hard worker and to never give up. They also told me that you will never know if something is going to work out if you don’t take risks.
What is the next place you would like to visit? Why?
Paris — I’ve never been there and it’s on my bucket list.
Word of advice for an aspiring medic?
Always remember very few calls are truly emergent. Take your time, be thorough, and listen carefully to the patient.
Interested in a career with ATCEMS? Contact our Recruiting team at EMSRecruiting@austintexas.gov or give us a call at 512–974–1098. You can find dates for the hiring process elements here.
Follow us on all social media channels, and don’t forget to fill out a connect profile.
This publication features ATCEMS work culture and the lives of our medics. *Readings from other publications posted to Medium do not necessarily reflect the views or position of Austin-Travis County EMS, the City of Austin, or Travis County*
