If there is an emergency in Honolulu, paramedic Ian T.T. Santee is likely one of the city employees to the rescue.

Having been part of Honolulu's emergency medical services team for 10 years, Santee has proved himself a dedicated and enthusiastic worker in one of the nation's most demanding, high-paced professions.

But Santee, 35, would not have it any other way. It is a profession he chose and one he loves.

“;It's an opportunity where you can make an immediate impact on somebody's life,”; he said. “;It's a public service job. It makes me feel good that I can make someone else feel a little better.”;

Since he was a kid, Santee was drawn to “;Emergency!”; - a 1970s TV show about Los Angeles County Fire Department Station 51, which had two paramedics on crew.

But it was at the YMCA of Honolulu that he got his start, first as a youth leader, then a swimming pool lifeguard teaching CPR and first aid.

The Maryknoll School graduate went on to become a paramedic and is now the unit supervisor of ambulances stationed at Hawaii Medical Center in Liliha, which responds to hundreds of calls per month.

Santee has been instrumental in the field in more ways than one: He is also training the next generation of emergency services personnel, which is badly needed to address the state's shortage.

Besides launching the Junior Paramedic program for teens in 2005, he taught classes at Kapiolani Community College and helped develop an on-the-job training program for emergency medical technicians which is a steppingstone to becoming a paramedic.

The first graduating class of 19 received their certificates last Friday, and will go to work for the city immediately.

Santee considers it the “;high point”; in his career as a paramedic and instructor.

He was appointed to the state's Emergency Medical Services Advisory Committee in 2004 and reappointed again this year.

Working as a paramedic means waking up every morning to the unexpected.

“;You never know what you're going to see or do every day,”; said Santee.

“;It ranges from delivering a baby to making a pronouncement.”;

Santee will never forget the day he helped deliver a baby boy in a Waikiki hotel lobby. He has also seen his share of blood, gore and trauma - the aftermath of car accidents, stabbings and shootings, some of which will never be erased from memory.

Paramedics, besides navigating through traffic to bring patients to the hospital, also stabilize victims at the scene - which can mean starting an IV or putting in a breathing tube.

Part of the job is remaining calm and in control while helping people in crisis.

What keeps Santee going day after day are the positive outcomes - the man who went into cardiac arrest but later walked out of the hospital, for instance.

Learning new skills for the job is a never-ending process, said Santee, who holds a master's degree in public administration from the University of Hawaii.

Sometimes people write thank-you letters to the paramedic team, but seeing people make it is the best reward.

Honolulu emergency medical services spokesman Bryan Cheplic said what makes Santee stand out is his personality.

“;Honestly, it's his work ethic,”; said Cheplic.

“;Ian is really somebody who goes above and beyond the call of duty. He's just a great human being.”;