Meet-A-Medic: Eric Gordon, Commander
Hello, I’m Eric Gordon, currently serving as the Safety Commander for Austin Travis County EMS. I have worked for ATCEMS for 15 years and have been in my current role just over a year. I have spent the majority of time working within the Special Operations division, and I was fortunate enough to spend 5 years as an Academy Captain. Additionally, I am on the ATCEMS Honor Guard, a Technical Search Specialist with Texas Task Force-1, and involved with the Emergency Medical Task Force program. I have an amazing wife and a wonderful 7-year-old daughter. You can find us playing in a pool somewhere, hiking, camping, in the garden, boating, working out, or enjoying some great food on a patio.
Where are you from originally and what brought you to Austin?
Originally, I am from the Dallas Area and moved to Central Texas in 1994 to attend college at Southwest Texas State in San Marcos. After graduating college, I moved to Austin and started working at the Children’s Hospital of Austin.
What inspired you to become a medic/What attracted you to this career choice?
Prior to EMS, I worked as an ER Tech in the old Brackenridge Hospital and Children’s ER. At the time, The Children’s Hospital of Austin was attached to Brackenridge. There I learned what emergency medicine is and what medics did. The idea of providing emergency care outside of the hospital environment was very appealing to me.
How long have you been with ATCEMS and what motivated you to work here?
I have worked with ATCEMS for 15 years. When I learned what it meant to be a medic, I did research around the country and talked with those involved in the department at the time. I love living in Central Texas and with what I learned, I decided ATCEMS was the place for me. It didn’t take much for me to decide that this is the place where I wanted to build a career.
What is your favorite part about working here at ATCEMS?
The people and the opportunities. There are truly some great people that work for ATCEMS. Also, working here gives you the opportunity to branch out into different aspects of emergency response. This department truly allows you to expand your scope as a first responder.
If you had guests visiting Austin for the weekend, where is the first place you would take them?
Valentinas Tex-Mex BBQ for breakfast followed by a day exploring the Texas Hill Country.
What is your favorite taco joint in town?
That is a tough question! There are so many, but you can never go wrong with Veracruz or Torchy’s.
What do you do on your days to relax and unwind?
We enjoy time at the pool, watching movies, and boating around the lake.
Who inspires you?
My daughter. She is so amazing, smart, inquisitive, honest, and joyful. She keeps me striving to be the best that I know how, to allow her to grow into a caring and successful adult.
What is the next place you would like to visit? Why?
Iceland. For the culture, waterfalls, glaciers, and food.
Word of advice for an aspiring medic?
No matter how long you have done something, there is always something new to learn. Keep yourself educated. Stay humble, treat others how you want to be treated, and don’t forget that the patients you treat are people. They have mothers, fathers, daughters, sons, brothers, and loved ones just as you do. And have fun and enjoy life!
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*
