Sullivan County EMT Dies in the Line of Duty

It happened on Sunday in Sullivan County and is the first time a Mobilemedic EMT has died in the line of duty in 25 years.

James Shields loved what he did, loved it so much that he spent most of his time trying to help others.

According to the Times Herald Record, Shields was incredibly dedicated to the emergency medical service field, that if there was a medical emergency in Sullivan County, the odds were that you would see Shields there.

Shields worked full time as an emergency medical technician for Mobilemedic, he had a part-time job with the Mamakating First Aid Squad, and then volunteered as an EMT and firefighter with three other agencies.

The director of Operations at Mobilemedic EMS, Walter Saunders, told the Record that “He just loved taking care, getting involved and helping people out.”

Saunders also said that Shields came to work Sunday and wasn't feeling well and shortly after his shift began, he stated that he was having chest pains. His co workers took him to the emergency room at Catskill Regional Medical Center, where he died.

Shields was 39.

Services for Shields are scheduled for today (Thursday) at 4 p.m. at the Hebrew Aide Society Cemetery in Harris. That will be followed by a procession to the Woodbourne Fire Department.