Signal 8

An ambulance races to the scene of yet another human tragedy-perhaps a road accident, heart attack, shooting, drowning, suicide, or a very sick child. While these events may be rare for most, for paramedics, they are routine. However, continual exposure to such trauma often comes at a significant cost to the paramedic and their family and friends.

In Signal 8, retired Australian paramedic Erik Schanssema shares his experiences and emotional reactions. Through vivid descriptions of the cases he and his colleagues attended, Erik provides insight into the challenges of paramedic work-offering information, not shock. He opens up with humor, sometimes dark, about how this work has affected him, and continues to do so.

His story aims to help paramedics and emergency workers who may feel isolated, leaving them with a sense of pride in their profession and, ultimately, hope.

This personal narrative also covers his struggle with grief and posttraumatic stress disorder.