First Responder Spotlight is a monthly column provided by the Sandoval County Optimist Club.
Captain Shannon Farrell started with the Sandoval County Fire Department in 2005, the year the department changed from all volunteers to career firefighters/EMTs. She felt called to do firefighting. Working in security at the Albuquerque federal building, she observed a security officer rush to the rescue of a fellow officer who was having a seizure. She wanted to be able to do that. She went to EMT school on her own and served with Albuquerque Ambulance for twelve years before joining the Sandoval County Fire Department. Since then she has become certified in all areas and was promoted to captain rank two years ago.
Farrell’s current duties are concentrated in community health and safety. When paramedics in the department respond to peoples’ medical calls they also identify their ongoing medical needs and home environments and report to Ferrell so she can assess the need for additional services. She may accompany patients to their doctor appointments to act as a liaison, making sure transportation is available, and connecting the patient with senior services and other county programs.
Farrell went to homes during the COVID-19 pandemic to administer vaccines and teach CPR and first aid. She does home safety inspections, teaches health care, appears at health fairs and school programs, and provides Staying Alive in Placitas and Stop Bleeding classes. In all efforts, she is aided by the department paramedics. As if she were not busy enough when she is at home she and her husband train canine unit dogs used statewide in search and find efforts. We are being well served.