MILWAUKEE, Wis. (SPECTRUM NEWS) -- As the Black Lives Matter movement continues in Wisconsin and across the country, some groups supporting the cause are volunteering their skillset to others.
Street medics work on and off the clock to protect the public's health.
“I’ve worked in the emergency department and the ICU so those type of situations where someone needs to be level headed that doesn’t bother me,” says Emily Seigrist who has volunteered as a street medic.
It's a task that requires courage and special skills to perform.
“You never know what could happen so to anticipate treating someone with tear gas we had milk we had things prepared for that type of protest vs the peaceful marches, I’ve seen both of them and seen both of them so I know what I would have to do for people to be safe," says Seigrist.
Some have acquired the knowledge required to be a street medic through specific training.
“That’s how we were taught in the military you know you triage the person, you do what you can to buy them time…as a nurse you’re always there at the bedside taking care of the patient," says Seigrist.
However, others without the required skillset can train to provide medical care in protest settings.
“I’m signing up for a street medic course which is actually a 20-hour course for people with a medical background. It's a lot of training but I decided I wanted to help out,” says Jennifer R.
The courses help future street medics learn things such as, which tools to keep at hand for emergencies.
“I also had like sugar candies just in case of a diabetic in case their blood sugar got too low…you know just those things you think about…you have exactly what you need in order to treat them," says Seigrist.
It's a way to support a cause they believe in while providing a unique service.
“I think things need to change in our community and protesting seems to be the only way to make that happen at this point, so it's important to me to help make sure everyone is being safe and do what I can with the skills that I have," says Jennfier R.
According to street medics, it's part of their calling and life commitment to provide humanitarian aid under any circumstance.
“It's not just about administering a task, but it's also being a compassionate and human being and trying to be there just being like, 'Hey we’ll get you help we’ll get you out of here and we’ll take care of you,'" says Seigrist.
Becoming a street medic is not only for people with a medical background. Those who want to get involved can start by learning how to administer first aid or CPR.