Happening Heroes: Keith Moran, EMT & Firefighter

Keith Moran, EMT & Firefighter

Every single day, members of our community dedicate their time, resources, and effort towards making Bucks County a better place. These everyday heroes are a big part of what makes Bucks County such a wonderful place to live. At Bucks Happening, we are dedicating a new feature to recognizing these individuals, our local everyday heroes.

Central Bucks EMT captain, volunteer firefighter, & naval reserve officer- Keith Moran has served both the local community and nation in more ways than one since the age of 16. Keith describes, “Walking past the firehouse and the doors were open, was 14, filled out application on spot to be junior firefighter.”

While most of his 16 year old peers were trying to figure out ways to get out of homework or bend the rules, Keith's report cards were being sent directly to the fire chief who closely monitored behavior. “They became part of your family and kept you in line,” he describes.

Now a Captain at the Central Bucks Ambulance and Rescue Unit, Keith Moran started his career in service while still attending Levittown's Harry S. Truman High School, signing up in junior firefighter school in 1994. After graduating, he continued his education at the Naval Aviation Technical Training Center, where after 18 months of schooling, Keith remained an active Naval reserve until October 2000.

His career as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) came later as he was elected to receive basic medical training from the fire department. Fast forward a few years and now, as Captain of the Central Bucks EMT services, Keith leads a team that serves 6,000 emergency calls a year for incidents such as car accidents, fall victims, industrial rescues, house fires, motorcycle accidents (wear helmets!), and heart attacks.

“I treat everyone as if they were my mom or my dad.”

During natural disasters like August's Hurricane Irene, EMTs can serve up to 36 hours straight. In fact, Pennsylvania EMTs were even deployed to help victims of Hurricane Ike and Gustav in Baton Rouge, staying 2 weeks to help with recovery (Bucks County actually had the largest showing out of all PA regions- go Bucks!). For all the challenges, though, Keith reflects on the gratification that comes with saving someone.

“It's all worth it. I mean with this kind of job you have to take it all. You can't just pick and choose parts that you like because they're so few and far between. The whole job, you either love it or you don't. I happen to love it.”

In between the high pressure situations, Keith relieves stress by enjoying his hobbies- flying airplanes, fishing, biking, and riding horses- and spend time with his girlfriend, also a local paramedic and firefighter. Keith may someday explore combining his passions as an aviation EMT.