German medics learn abroad in Virginia Beach through EMS exchange program

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — A learning experience abroad will create a lifetime of memories for four medics hailing from Hassel, Germany.

Thanks to the decades-old Virginia Beach Emergency Medical Services Exchange Program, the group of Red Cross paramedics and EMTs will be able to tour hospitals, police, fire, rescue stations and even historical sites in Virginia for the next two weeks.

Monday's tour was lead by Virginia Beach EMS paramedic Laura Grabarczyk, who traveled to Germany through the program, in which she saw many similarities and differences in the lifesaving services.

"The main difference that we saw was there are doctors that go to the EMS calls," Grabarczyk said. "We have that in Virginia Beach, but very little. They also have ventilators and a lot of different medications that we have."

As part of the program, the group is currently staying at Gerber's home before traveling to their next stops in the Commonwealth.

"They get to meet my whole family and my dog, all my friends and everything," Grabarczyk said. "So, yeah, it's been really great getting to have them here. We've been trying to get some American meals. We got them Halloween candy because they don't celebrate Halloween in Germany. "

At Station 14 in Virginia Beach, the medics were able get a bird's-eye view of an American style ambulance and equipment. Luisa Hornschuh with the German Red Cross said what they find most fascinating is the multiple roles paramedics play here in Virginia Beach.

"They're allowed to do everything on their own," Hornschuh said. "For example, a cardiac arrest cell — we need to call a doctor for a special medication. And so, they are really allowed to do everything on their own. It's impressive because it's so much to know."

Over the next two weeks, the German medics will go on to tour Richmond, Fredericksburg, Blacksburg and Bristol, Virginia.