A Lifetime of Response: Brothers Mark 66 Years in Emergency Medical Services

Brothers Dennis Jamison, left, and Ross Jamison have found purpose serving as emergency medical technicians. The brothers are both stationed with American Medical Response ambulance service in Linn County. (Submitted photo)

As the Nation Celebrates EMS Week, Two Brothers Reflect on a Shared Legacy of Service and Purpose 

Press release

When Ross Jamison enrolled in an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in 1988, he couldn’t have known it would spark a lifelong commitment — not just for him, but for his younger brother Dennis, too. Together, the Jamison brothers have devoted a combined 66 years to emergency medical services (EMS) in Kansas. 

“We’ve always believed that showing up — calm, skilled and ready — can change someone’s entire outcome,” Ross said. “That’s the heart of EMS. It’s why we’ve stayed in it this long.” 

This National EMS Week (May 18-24), American Medical Response, a division of Global Medical Response, is honoring Ross and Dennis Jamison for their enduring commitment to the community they serve — and to the profession that defines this year’s national theme: "We Care. For Everyone. "

A Family Legacy of Service 

The Jamison family’s dedication to public safety began with their father, who served as both a police officer and EMT. His example set the stage for his sons’ future in Emergency Medical Services (EMS). 

Ross joined first, drawn by the intensity and purpose of the job. Six years later, Dennis followed, inspired by a shared sense of duty and the difference he saw his brother making in people’s lives. 

Although the brothers have never run a call together, their bond is forged by shared experiences, mutual respect and a lifelong understanding of what it means to serve. 

Decades of Change in EMS 

When Ross began his career, equipment was limited, and safety protocols were still developing. Today, EMS is more advanced, better equipped and more deeply integrated into the health care system. 

“It’s about bringing order to the unexpected,” Ross said. “You walk into a moment that could feel overwhelming — but through training and teamwork, you bring calm and care. That’s incredibly fulfilling.” 

The Expanding Role of EMS 

While public perception of EMS has grown, Dennis said many people still don’t fully understand the breadth of care EMS professionals provide. 

“We’re health care professionals who meet people where they are — in homes, on roadsides, in schools,” Dennis said. “We provide care in real time, and we do it with skill and heart.” 

“This job has given me so much — a sense of purpose, lifelong friendships and the chance to make a difference every single day,” he added. 

Still Answering the Call 

Ross and Dennis Jamison have built careers around a simple belief: being present in someone’s most vulnerable moment can change everything. 

Their story is a reminder that EMS isn’t just a career — it’s a calling to care for people at their most vulnerable, no matter who or where they are.