Ray Pettit - EMT Instructor

Ray Pettit cares about people in emergency situations, both the people in crisis and trauma, and the people who are there to help. He wants to serve his community by being a paramedic and by teaching others.

Working as a National Registry certified EMT/paramedic since 1981, Ray has a tremendous depth of experience that he shares with his EMT students. Currently a full-time field training officer at Medshore Amublance services, Ray also works part-time in the area, with Cherokee County EMS, Ambustar Ambulance Services, and the Westview-Fairforest Fire Department among others. He has worked as flight medic with helicopter services as well. In addition to EMT Basic, he teaches CPR and occasionally First Aid. 

“When you get to the scene, it’s important to know what to do, not to freeze up, but to know how to do the correct procedures when a life may be at stake.”

He provides “trauma moulage” sessions in his classes once students get the initial course information. He sets up an accident scene, even using a makeup artist to provide realistic looking injuries for students to get a sense for the realities of the job. He gives students much clinical practice so that they will be ready for their certification exams, and he offers career counseling on an informal basis to help people know if EMT is the right career path.

Ray credits his mentor Steve Manning with presenting this career to him when he worked with Hilltop Fire Department in Spartanburg. His instructor, Shane Atkins, also encouraged him to become a paramedic. It’s not just a job for Ray Pettit. Being an EMT is a calling, and he loves to share his knowledge and expertise with people who are serious and dedicated to helping people in emergencies.