Essential Voices with Wilmer Valderrama

The Heart Behind The Sirens

First responders like EMS professionals are often on the receiving end of the calls we wish we didn’t have to make when an emergency hits. A job that not only sees emergencies but also the beginning of new lives, EMS responders support medical transitions of all kinds. Anthony Almojera has witnessed the full spectrum of these medical calls throughout his time as an EMS paramedic in New York City, a job that was greatly amplified when the pandemic hit. As the vice president for Union Local 3621 and an FDNY EMS Lieutenant, Anthony is also a mental healthcare advocate and support system for his fellow EMS professionals.Learn more about: EMS FDNY Help Fund (<a href="https://emsfdnyhelpfund.com/">https://emsfdnyhelpfund.com/</a>)  Learn more about Anthony Almojera (<a href="https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/Riding-the-Lightning/9780358652878">https://www.hmhbooks.com/shop/books/Riding-the-Lightning/9780358652878</a>) Episode Transcript: <a href="https://app.trint.com/public/d70c636d-d43f-4045-a8f3-fce466de7c52">https://app.trint.com/public/d70c636d-d43f-4045-a8f3-fce466de7c52</a> Learn more about your ad-choices at <a href="https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com">https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.com</a>See <a href="https://omnystudio.com/listener">omnystudio.com/listener</a> for privacy information.

The Covid-19 pandemic introduced the term “Essential Workers” for a class of people who existed before and will persist long after the virus is gone. Vital to society, but rarely heard from, this “essential” class is often hit hardest by the imbalances and injustices of our culture. In each episode, host Wilmer Valderrama will have intimate conversations with people on the frontlines of the food system, transportation, child-care and other workers who are so often overlooked. That conversation leads to a round-table discussion with activists and politically-active celebrities, discussing themes, issues and areas of needed change. The show seeks to reveal the invisible connections between all of us.