Meet Ahnna Paige | Disaster Response EMT

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ahnna Paige and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ahnna, any advice for those thinking about whether to keep going or to give up?
I don’t give up because I truly enjoy making videos. If my only goal was to make money or have thousands of subscribers, I would have quit long ago. But because I enjoy the process, and I enjoy making people happy, I keep going.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have been an Emergency Medical Technician for ten years. I have worked in fire camps treating sick and injured firefighters for seven years. I was deployed at the beginning of the pandemic to screen employees at critical companies. I was deployed in the middle of the pandemic to vaccinate citizens in mass vaccination clinics.

I love the community feel of my job. I love that everyone comes together to contain a fire, save homes, and save lives. I feel part of something larger than myself. When I drive to fire camps, I see Thank You signs made by children. When I was working ten hours a day, seven days a week at the height of the pandemic, I listened to people banging pots for frontline workers everyday. When I was working at the vaccine clinics, I developed close bonds with FEMA employees, firefighters, and volunteers. Moments like that will always stick with me.

My career can be difficult at times. I never know when I will be called to work or for how long I will be deployed. My job is inconsistent and unreliable. Occasionally, I see people die. These challenges impact my life. The older I get, the more I reflect on my career choice and wonder if I should leave the medical field and the disaster response lifestyle.

I enjoy making videos about my life and job. I enjoy sharing my experiences with others. I like the inclusivity of YouTube. Although I do not have many subscribers, I stick to doing what makes me happy.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I love living in Boulder. I love Colorado. If my twin was visiting for the first time, this is what we would do:

We would start off the day by getting coffee at one of my favorite cafes. Maybe Gabee or Bona. Or I would treat her to high tea at the Dushanbe Tea House.

Then, we would go for a hike. We would hike the trails around Nederland, or go to Rocky Mountain National Park, or summit a fourteener, or rock climb the flatirons. Anything would be great, as long as it was outdoors and in nature. If she was here in autumn, we would make sure to see the golden aspen groves.

Next, we would eat at a restaurant: Flower Child or Fresh Thymes. I love local, organic food.

After all that, we would probably be full and exhausted. We would go home, walk the dog, then watch a movie or play video games. I currently love the video game It Takes Two.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to thank my parents for always supporting and encouraging me to do what makes me happy. I am extremely grateful to have them as my mentors and friends. I dedicate my moral compass to my mother. I dedicate my belief in myself to my father.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ahnnapaige

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/AhnnaPaige