When Ann Martgan first started her career more than 20 years ago, she had no idea where she would end up. By always keeping an eye out for new opportunities and being willing to take on challenges she’d never faced before, she found a path that was fulfilling both professionally and personally.

The Power of Persistence

Originally teaching and working as an EMT and paramedic for AMR Redlands, Ann later attended medic school at Victor Valley College. As part of her training, Ann taught classes at the San Manuel Fire Department. Immediately impressed with the work, people and enterprise, she knew she wanted to be a part of the community. Ann kept tabs on the department, and when she learned about an open EMS position four years later, “I jumped at the opportunity,” she states.

After being hired and joining the team, Ann’s hard work, dedication and passion was quickly recognized by her co-workers and leader. She was approached to develop and manage the EMS Department for San Manuel, and in June 2021, she became the EMS Operations Manager. “It’s an honor of my career to develop a department from the ground up,” she reflects. “It’s very exciting.”

Evolving the Department, Community and Herself

Ann wasted no time growing the new department and providing valuable tools and resources, not just for her team members, but for the community at large. Some of her implementations included the Stop the Bleed Program, which offers free monthly classes the department oversees, and the AED Program. “We’re giving people the tools to help themselves until we get there […]which is the most important thing.” Ann explains. These important, life-saving programs can be the reason people get to see their families again.

Ann also credits the leadership team at San Manuel who encouraged her to continuously build and grow her new department. “What might seem impossible at first,” she notes, “I’m able to achieve it and look back and go, ‘Wow, I can’t believe I created this thing.’”

Striking a Successful Work-Life Balance

“I always say that it’s a predominantly male field, but it’s not a male-dominated field,” she explains. There are many more women in leadership roles than when she started her career, including her best friend, a director for a local paramedic program. “It’s been wonderful to see that we are getting the support from our families, our friends and our employers to be able to raise our families and to have a balanced approach at work,” Ann says.

Having two children of her own while developing a career in an essential field, an understanding work environment was absolutely essential. For Ann, “It’s been wonderful to see that we are getting the support from our employers to be able to raise our families and continue on our career,” she says. Ann recognizes that the opportunity to achieve both career and life goals can be a rare find. When she looks back at all she’s accomplished over two decades, both at work and at home, she’s proud of reaching so many goals – and looks forward to continuously raising the bar to reach more.

Are you looking to create your own path with a job that matters, while also being able to live a life that matters to you? Visit our careers page to discover your next step.