A Mid-Michigan paramedic is speaking out about her experiences helping victims of Hurricane Michael in Florida.
She sat down with FOX 47 News' Cryss Walker to share her story.
Jackson Community Ambulance Senior Paramedic Amie Jeglic says Hurricane Michael devastated communities that once thrived.
“Pretty much everywhere had some sort of damage”, Jeglic said.
“It kind of looked like a war zone, honestly like you see videos from like Syria and places that have recently been bombed, like everything's just leveled.”
Jeglic said she was dispatched operating bases in Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee.
“By the time we they had the roads clear and we were able to get in there had been some 911 calls that hadn't been answered in several days.”
The senior paramedic had a big job to do that required her to stay focused on helping as many people as possible.
“By and large, it's just a sense of empathy like, ‘Yes I'm here’. I understand that something awful has just happened to you, I'm ready to help. What do you need”, Jeglic explained.
“When you knock on that door you don’t know what's going to greet you so you kind of need to be ready for anything.”
Jeglic admits that the mission was a challenge.
She experienced long days away from home without contact with family and friends.
Jeglic said she ran off MRE’s or meals ready to eat and slept on cots night after night, but the paramedic said she dedicated herself to the mission.
“I guess I'm grateful for my brothers and sisters in my job”, Jeglic told News 10.
“Despite going into what was essentially a war zone, I never felt particularly unsafe.”
The Jackson Community Ambulance is a part of a National Response Team that assist victims of natural disasters and other tragedies.
According to NBC News, the death toll from Hurricane Michael is at 39.
