Amie Ebarb has been a familiar face at community events.

The emergency medical technician has been with the Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service for seven years, serving in both emergency responses in public events. Her ability to connect with children and people of all ages along with dedication to her job led her to receiving state recognition as a Star of Life recipient.

“The Star of Life is awarded by the Oklahoma Ambulance Association,” SOAS Operations Director Jeffrey Taylor said. “There is an event every fall to acknowledge and inject EMS into Oklahoma. Local agencies signed up throughout the state and each service usually nominates one or two to receive the Star of Life based on job performance, on and off duty, stepping up and rising above.”

Taylor, along with Executive EMS Director Bob Hargis and Project Manager Logan Hartman nominated Ebarb for the award. She was one of 13 throughout the state to be honored.

“Amie’s hard work and determination, on and off duty has set her above everybody,” Taylor said. “The CPR classes that she has taught. I don’t know how many countless Carter County residents are now certified because of her.

“The look on the kid’s face, whether it be a public event such as Touch a Truck, Kid’s Day in the Park or Easter Egg Hunt, she puts on a superhero cape and their eyes get wide, the smiles on their face.”

Following an opportunity

Ebarb came to SOAS after serving with the Mannsville Volunteer Fire Department. She didn’t intend to follow a career as an EMT, but the opportunity fell into her lap.

“I always had this terrible fear of blood and vomit and stuff,” she said. “I had a friend who was on a fire department and said they had some openings. I joined the volunteer fire department, and they said, ‘We are going to send you to EMS school, by the way.’ It just kind of happened. I just fell in love with it.”

Ebarb said she enjoyed it way more than she would have imagined and ran with it. Her ability to connect with children and serve as a comforting presence in emergency situations has stood out. She can always be found at events such as Truck or Treat, helping children into the truck to take a picture and turn on the lights and sirens.

“I love doing stuff with the kids,” she said. “They get so excited, they get to play with the horn and the lights and sirens. That is my favorite part.

“I enjoy going out into the community and helping out. I also teach CPR. I love teaching CPR.”

The accolades that come with earning Star of Life recognition is icing on the cake for Ebarb, who simply loves serving the community as an EMS.

“I was very excited and very shocked,” she said. “It was very humbling. It let me know that the hard work that I do has been seen. I don’t do it for the glory. I do it because I love it. It just makes it a little bit better to be recognized for it.”

Serving as an ambassador for the state

As a Star of Life recipient, Ebarb will also have the opportunity to represent Oklahoma in Washington D.C. She was one of two recipients selected to go to Washington DC and join other honorees at a national ceremony. It will be the first time Ebarb has visited the nation’s capital.

“There are having a breakfast banquet, and we get to talk to the senators and advocate for EMS, what we can do better for us.” Ebarb said. “We will have a big banquet during which we will get awards too and get recognized nationally.”

Ebarb is the third SOAS Star of Life recipient to represent the state in Washington D.C. Last year, Ebarb’s partner Josh Morgan also went to Washington D.C. as a Circle of Life recipient. Taylor said Ebarb is setting the bar high for SOAS, a sentiment Hargis agreed with in his letter of recommendation.

“What truly sets Amie apart is her connection with children,” Hargis wrote. “She has a magical way of making them feel safe and understood. Whether it’s bandaging a scraped knee or explaining the importance of emergency preparedness, Aima loves to don the EMS superhero costume. She becomes a real-life hero for the kids, teaching them about emergencies while igniting their imagination.

“Amie Ebarb embodies the spirit of compassion, courage and community. Her unwavering commitment to saving lives and educating the next generation makes her an invaluable asset to Southern Oklahoma Ambulance Service.”