By Bethany Clough
The Fresno Bee
FRESNO, Calif. 鈥� Lululemon shorts. Vintage lamps. Handmade cards.
Buying any of these things can help out the worker who shows up in an ambulance if you ever have to call one.
That鈥檚 because a new store in northwest Fresno, marketplace and thrift boutique, is run by a nonprofit organization that benefits Emergency Medical Services workers.
At Bullard and Marks avenues, Resuscitated is between and the newly opened (It鈥檚 in the space once occupied by , which moved to 7089 N. Marks Ave.)
It was started by Kim Damico 鈥� and a couple of partners 鈥� after she spent a 34-year career in the private-sector emergency services field.
EMS workers, including paramedics, emergency medical technicians and dispatchers, respond to some of worst tragedies people face in their lives after someone calls 911. They may be car accidents, shootings, plane crashes, catastrophic injuries and more.
鈥淚t鈥檚 every trauma and every tragedy you can imagine,鈥� Damico said.
EMS workers
The EMS workers employed by private companies don鈥檛 always have the same benefits as some of their first-responder counterparts such as firefighters and police officers employed by government agencies, she said.
鈥淲e have to focus on these folks that are private sector, because these are the ones that are showing up at your door,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a community that needs a little extra, that gets overlooked.鈥�
She started a nonprofit organization, Paramedic Resilience Society , that runs the store. It has more than 20 vendors selling antiques, vintage, handmade and new items. A percentage of their sales goes to the nonprofit. And part of the shop is also a thrift store, where an even bigger percentage goes toward the cause.
EMS workers may have a 401(k) and not a pension like firefighters would. EMTs and paramedics working at private companies generally get less sick and vacation time than their government counterparts, and are less likely to be unionized in the Fresno area, said Shelli Alaniz , EMS education coordinator for the Fresno County Paramedic Program.
Damico has worked in EMS all over the state and her sick time usually averaged about four days a year, she said.
A recent California law that went into effect in January mandated that healthcare workers be paid at least $23, and eventually $25 by 2026. The to most EMT and ambulance workers employed by a private company.
Pay rates vary, but many EMS jobs in Fresno pay , according to ZipRecruiter salary information. Higher-trained paramedics make more. Many will go on to become firefighters and police officers.
鈥淭hey are kinda like the forgotten first responders,鈥� said Alaniz said of the EMS workers.
Resuscitated is a way to help out. Damico has been doing that for years, selling pulled pork sandwiches to raise money for co-workers with serious medical issues, or for families of co-workers who died or were injured. She hosted an appreciation dinner for ambulance workers in Tulare .
鈥淚 think it鈥檚 important that they have a safety net,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f they鈥檙e falling on hard times, I鈥檇 love to be able to pay an electric bill.鈥�
Her first goal is fund some scholarships for EMS training.
Resuscitated the store
The store is still getting on its feet. It doesn鈥檛 even have a sign or a website yet. The sign costs about $7,000 and they鈥檙e looking for someone willing to donate one or the money for it.
The store is also accepting monetary gifts and donations of lightly used clothing and other items for the thrift portion of the store, said Laura McAtee , one of the other partners in the store.
Part of the mission is also acknowledging the impact the job has on mental health. Damico was in a dark place when she left the field.
Retail therapy 鈥� shopping 鈥� made her feel better and she eventually started selling the treasures she found at resale shops. That inspired the creation of the store.
Damico still tears up when talking about the things she鈥檚 seen in the profession.
鈥淲e see the worst of the worst,鈥� she said. 鈥淭o speak of that is difficult. Obviously, I still struggle.鈥�
But a little community is forming around the store, McAtee said.
鈥淚t鈥檚 all coming together,鈥� she said. 鈥淓verybody wants to help.鈥�
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