Joseph Dougher in the EMS Week spotlight

As National Emergency Medical Services Week spotlights the people behind the sirens, Defense Logistics Agency Fire and Emergency Services in Columbus is highlighting the voices of its first responders under this year’s theme, “Improving Outcomes, Together.” One of them is station captain and firefighter/paramedic Joseph (Joe) Dougher, who serves the Defense Supply Center Columbus and DLA Weapons Support (Columbus).

“I grew up in a family that was always in the public service field. Many of my family members were firefighters or police officers. I believe this is my true calling,” Dougher said.

He brought years of military and civilian emergency response experience to DLA. “I transferred to DLA FES in January of 2017. I previously worked at Dahlgren Naval Base and Fort A.P. Hill – both in Virginia. Prior to becoming a civilian employee, I was in the Army.”

Dougher said his days start before the alarm ever sounds. “I arrive at the station early and assign the firefighters to either the fire truck or medic unit. My fire gear is checked and placed near my spot on the truck, so I am ready to take an emergency call. Our trucks and equipment are then checked out. Our crews go to the gym in the morning and usually do some kind of fire or EMS training in the afternoon.”

The work can be emotionally demanding. “Unfortunately, in our jobs we encounter many negative things. We have seen families lose everything in a house fire or even lose a loved one from a medical emergency,” he said. Still, moments of joy endure: “One positive event that stands out to me is delivering a baby while enroute to the hospital. It was a bit scary and exciting all wrapped up together.”

Even for a hands-on profession, not every requirement plays to a firefighter’s strengths. “Online training is the hardest part of this job. We are firefighters. Most of us want to be hands-on, not stuck in front of a computer screen.”

What keeps him coming back, Dougher said, is the tight-knit culture. “The camaraderie, the family type atmosphere. We basically live together for 48 hours. In most cases it really is a second family.”

After long shifts, resetting is essential. “For me, I have a two-hour ride home. I use that time to let go of the shift (leave work at work). I enjoy spending time with my wife and when schedules line up right going out with my son and daughter-in-law.”

Dougher’s story is part of DLA’s EMS Week series honoring the firefighter/paramedics and firefighter/emergency medical technicians who serve as first responders for DLA Weapons Support (Columbus) and Defense Supply Center Columbus.