Slippery Rock EMT Doreen “Puddie” Taggart has been serving the community since 1980. Seb Foltz/Butler Eagle

This is first of three articles about female first responders.

Doreen “Puddie” Taggart never intended to become an EMT back in 1980. If you ask her today what serving the Slippery Rock community is like, she’ll tell you it’s a gift from God.

“Not everyone can say they like their job, or that they love their job,” she said. “I’m more about people thanking me as I walk out the door than the paycheck, you know?”

Taggart recently stepped down as the medical officer for Slippery Rock EMS, after serving her community for 16 years in that role. While she still serves as secretary on the Slippery Rock Volunteer Fire Company board and as its bookkeeper, she said her love for the service makes leaving full-time difficult.

“It’s been a struggle weaning off from full-time,” she said. “It’s definitely rewarding, helping people and being there for them.”