Aiding others in tough times

Barnett has spent over 40 years with Raystown.

Looking back from when he started, Barnett says he didn’t envision how everything played out.

“Years ago, it was the just the Red Cross and such with minimal patient care. There were some EMT classes around, and it just seemed like the thing to do.

“I never dreamed as a 21-year old kid that I would still be here today.”

Prior to joining Raystown Ambulance Service, Barnett was an EMT for the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The turnpike began phasing out its own operations, and as a seasonal employee, Barnett needed a more permanent role after also having gone through a positive life change in marrying his wife Connie. The couple celebrated their 50th anniversary last year.

“And here I am,” he quipped.

Over that time, he’s seen a lot in and around Bedford County. Without knowing a particular situation when the service receives a call, Barnett explained that on-the-job training is invaluable when it comes to EMT work.

“The book is a general guideline to go by, but every call is different,” he said. “If you stick to your level of training, you will do a good job. But you also have to think on your feet a lot.”

Though he says he doesn’t have an overwhelming enjoyment of ambulance calls, because he says “that means someone’s having a bad day”, those who Barnett has come in contact with have made being an EMT worth it.

“It’s the people you work with — I’ve met a lot of good people over the years,” he said. “That’s what I’ve enjoyed most.”

Barnett is well known in the community, not just for his EMT position but also as a supervisor in East Providence Township and helps with the Breezewood Volunteer Fire Company.

Unofficially, he’s known in many circles as “Mr. Breezewood.”

“I really don’t know where that (title) came from,” Barnett said. “There’s more people down there that are more deserving of being called that. But bless someone’s heart that they decided to give me that name.”

As for Raystown Ambulance Service, Barnett isn’t retiring, but stepping down into a lesser role where he’ll still be around to help when needed, both on the road and offering advice and training to others.

“When we were going through some changes, Glenn decided to stick it out during a difficult transition to where we are now,” Raystown executive director Jake Welty said. “He stayed on, and now the time has come where he would like to step back.

“We feel he has definitely earned that right and wanted to recognize him for his years of effort.”