Madison122web

SALUTE
to First Responders
What made you decide to work in EMS dispatch/
law enforcement?
NARLISE (EMS dispatcher) I work for Pafford because I’ve been in the
medical field my entire adult life. However, I have never seen what it was
like to be on the end with the caller on the line and literally be the first to
send a responder—the first person that the patient speaks to during an
emergency.
JUSTIN (City of Ridgeland Police Department) I wanted to work in a
meaningful field where I would be able to impact a community in a
positive way.
How long have you been with Pafford EMS/Ridgeland
Police Department?
NARLISE I have been with Pafford since April of 2021.
JUSTIN I have worked for the City of Ridgeland since October of 2018.
Tell us about your family.
We are a small family of two with big hearts. We both come from loving
families where our parents gave their all to make sure we knew what it
was like to help others.
What is the toughest thing you have experienced
in your job?
NARLISE The hardest part about being a dispatcher is being the one
who transfers the call to the ambulance but not being able to physically
handle it yourself. We are working with assault victims, or heart attack
and stroke patients whose family members have never been placed in a
situation like this before.
JUSTIN I believe the toughest thing that I have experienced in this job is
being confronted with the negative stereotypes about police from the eyes
of the people that I genuinely try to serve. Although, attempting to be a
positive example that overcomes the stereotypes can be very rewarding.
Justin & Narlise
SONES
PAFFORD EMS
RIDGELAND POLICE DEPARTMENT
Who is someone you admire and why?
NARLISE My mother. She has molded me into the care-giving person
that I am today. Without her, I would not know what it was like to give
and want nothing in return but to see someone else’s life made better.
She has instilled in me the art of giving back. From working with Habitat
for Humanity and Mission on the Bay to the Canton Stewpot and shoe
boxes for our soldiers, everything I have done has been because she gave
me the opportunity.
JUSTIN My parents. They raised six troublesome kids and continuously
worked hard to provide for us.
54 • JANUARY 2022