In this powerful episode of Voices of Valor, we sit down with Maddy Gartner, an EMS professional with 10 years of experience, including 9 years with SFCAD. Maddy is not only a dedicated first responder, but also a wife and a new mom to 5-month-old twin girls.

Maddy shares her journey with raw honesty—opening up about the lasting effects of bullying during her high school years, the mental-health-altering calls she’s experienced throughout her EMS career, and the emotional toll that comes with answering the call day after day.

She also discusses the challenges of balancing a demanding career in emergency services with motherhood, marriage, and personal well-being, offering insight that will deeply resonate with first responders and their families alike.

This episode highlights resilience, vulnerability, and the strength it takes to keep showing up—for your community, your family, and yourself.

🎙️ Voices of Valor is a platform dedicated to sharing the stories of firefighters, EMTs, dispatchers, law enforcement officers, and veterans—because every story matters.

🖤 Turning courage into conversation.