Today we recognize Emily Schreiber as our SMS Standout. Emily is a remote paramedic and was nominated for customer recognition. Jon Shaw from Seadrill wrote, “We recently completed our corporate HSE audit. The rig scored very well overall. The auditor passed on to us that this is the first time he has given a perfect score to the medics/hospital. He bragged on the condition of the hospital, the record-keeping, and the overall adherence to Seadrill directives.” Emily is a true asset to SMS and her West Neptune shipmates. Thank you, Emily!
We spoke to Emily about what a typical workday looks like through her eyes.
A.A. Describe a typical day at work.
E.S. While it may seem like the movie Groundhog Day, sleep, wake up, repeat for 21 days, there is some variation. I usually start my day with morning check-offs, checking emails, work any helicopters doing inductions/orientations. We collect safety cards in the morning and after review by the Captain, complete the report in the afternoon. If there are any patients that walk through the door, we take care of them. Depending on the day of the week, there are meetings, inventory, inspections, drills, and phone conference calls. We also handle special projects such as fit testing, potable water collection for lab testing, urine drug screen collection, plus more.
A.A. What was the best vacation you have ever taken?
E.S. I’ve been very lucky and have been able to see some amazing places all over this world. Whether it’s getting out of town with my husband just because we can, taking my nieces and nephew on their first SCUBA diving trip to the ocean, or sitting outside a cabin on a lake in Canada with my parents just gazing at the stars, there is not one vacation that’s “the best”; they’re all special.
A.A. Describe yourself in one sentence.
E.s. To quote someone very dear to me, “You’re freakin’ Pollyanna!!!!”
A.A. What is your favorite thing about your job?
E.S. The time off. It offers me an escape and a break from my job that keeps me refreshed and loving what I do. I can travel, I can take time to do extended projects, or I can spend more than a couple of days at a time with any immediate family who don’t live close.
A.A. What food could you live on for a month?
E.S. Any of my Gram’s homemade soups.
A.A. Do you have a side hustle, hobby, or volunteer group that you’re involved in outside of work? What else do you spend your time doing?
E.S. I have a serious SCUBA habit and don’t earn nearly enough as an instructor to pay for itself.
A.A. How do you stay motivated at work?
E.S. I gave up caffeine so there goes that quick answer. I really don’t know. My parents instilled a work ethic in all of their children that pushes us to do our job right/ the best you can, even when you don’t want to.
A.A. What has been the most fulfilling moment in your career so far?
E.S. As many medics can relate, there are lots of little moments that are often forgotten that shape the medic you are and the medic you will become. It’s those many little moments and how they have shaped me that has kept my career fulfilling.
A.A. Who would play you in a movie?
E.S. Melissa McCarthy. I like to think I’m funny. She seems to be the only (short) comedic actress whose characters end up being as awkwardly funny as I think I am.
A.A. Tell us about a moment that changed your life.
E.S. WOW, that’s a tough one. How do you pick just one moment, positive or negative? I’ve really thought about this and have had so many flashes through my mind. I think a nice neutral moment would be my first ocean SCUBA dive. I had gotten certified in a freshwater quarry. It was cold, the visibility was lousy, and the brim would sneak up from behind and nibble on your ear. It made you wonder why you were doing this in the first place. That first ocean dive on the boat sitting there waiting my turn to get in the water, nervous, excited, and afraid I might forget everything I learned. Once in the water, everything on the surface faded. My world became the colors of the fish, the sight of the bubbles from the other divers, and the silence. I knew at that moment that I had become a diver, not just someone who dives but someone who embraces, protects and shares the world I discovered that day. Diving has given me a whole new world of opportunity and a means of escape. It has allowed me to push myself beyond my comfort zone, gain confidence in my abilities that I always knew was there but couldn’t quite get out, and a connection to the greater world around me. It has allowed me to go to places I have only dreamed of and meet people from completely different walks of life that have become a part of my chosen family.
A.A. What would be your advice for future [safety professionals]?
E.S. Get out while you can! Seriously though, don’t take yourself too seriously. Learn and accept that you will make mistakes, take those mistakes and grow from them and don’t let them eat you up. Find your escape. This job is not easy, it will stay with you, and you can’t unsee some of what you see. When all else fails, remember to smile and be kind.
A.A. What is your favorite activity outside of work?
E.S. Other than my SCUBA addiction, I love to work on projects around the house, drive my husband and father-in-law batty, cross-stitch, travel, read, cook/bake, and pretend that I am working on my classic car.
A.A. Name one book that inspired you professionally.
E.S. Nope – don’t have one. I read for the pleasure of getting lost in my imagination through the words of others.
A.A. Which talent or superpower would you most like to have and why?
E.S. I don’t need any more superpowers. However, I would like to play the piano better.
A.A. What was the best advice you were ever given?
E.S. Don’t eat yellow snow served me well as a child. As an adult, there have been many great pieces of advice that resonate and I’ve told myself I need to remember that, but of course, I don’t. One of my favorites is, “your outlook determines how you handle everything life throws at you. Will you choose positive/survivor and come out the other side, or will you choose negative/victim and let life chew you up and spit you out?”
A.A. Do you have a bucket list? What are the top 3 things on it?
E.S. No bucket list.
A.A. Do you have any pets? What are their names?
E.S. A Miniature Schnauzer named Rocky that thinks he is part cat.
A.A. A penguin walks through the door right now wearing a sombrero. What does he say and why is he here?
E.S. “Does my butt look big in this hat?” Does there have to be a reason? Who doesn’t have a sombrero-wearing penguin walking through their door on a regular basis?
