Dupre’s dedication

Anthony Dupre didn’t necessarily plan on being a paramedic but he is thankful that he did.
“I wasn’t that kid growing up that dreamt of being an EMT or doctor or a fireman,” Dupre said. “At that time, I wanted a stable job and also wanted to truly help people and now 25 years later I am glad that I made a decision.”
The 51-year-old Dupre helps the public as a paramedic for Acadian Ambulance, the privately owned ambulance service that covers most of Louisiana and parts of Mississippi and Texas. Dupre recently was named Medic of the Year for his region for the second time in his career.
“I felt extremely honored that my coworkers recognized me as someone that they would like to nominate for paramedic of the year,” Dupre said.
Dupre was born and raised in Ville Platte and would graduate from Ville Platte High School in 1982.
After graduating, Dupre got himself a job at the local Otasco, the Tulsa, Oklahoma-based retail chain specializing in auto parts and appliances. Dupre worked for the company for six years and earned the title of manager at the company’s Abbeville and Ville Platte stores.
Then the company started downsizing and eventually closed all of its stores in 1989. At that point Dupre was in search of a new profession.
“My wife Roxanne was in school to become a LPN and I decided to get in that field,” Dupre said.
Dupre initially became an EMT before enrolling in the year-and-half paramedic program. Dupre would work 48 on and 48 off and on his off days attend classes. He had to fulfill 225 hours of hospital clinicals and then spend another 225 hours with a paramedic unit.
“I can still remember the first five years,” Dupre said. “I was still nervous when I got to the call and then my training took over.”
In the course of his career, Dupre has had to deal with traumatic incidents such as roadside fatalities and injuries to children.
“I can recall every bad call especially the ones with children,” Dupre said. “They stay with you. Fortunately you don’t see too many of those calls but the ones you do, those are the ones you lock away.”
In the course of his career, Dupre has become a mentor and educator in his line of work.
Dupre speaks to students at Pine Prairie High School a few times a year, teaches CPR classes for fire departments, nursing homes and schools and works as a preceptor which helps transition new employees into the work force.
“On a call someone has to stay clam on scene in cases the new employees get nervous,” Dupre said. “Every now and then we will work with a new employee and if we get to a bad call, and they are doing something wrong I will talk to them calmly. You have to do it in a calmly manner. If they see you being nervous they well get nervous.”
Dupre takes great pride in the fact that two of his six children followed in his footsteps. His son James worked as a paramedic for five years before pursuing his career in music, while his other son Ashton, who is also a musician, has worked for years as a paramedic in Forest Hill.
“I am glad that they did it,” Dupre said. “It gives them a view of what I have been through. They seemed to enjoy it.”
There is no doubting that Dupre enjoys the unexpected career that began 25 years, with working out of offices in Opelousas, Mamou and Ville Platte. Dupre is looking forward for another 10 years or more in the field, and gives thanks to the company that has helped make that happen.
“I thank Acadiana for the opportunity that they gave me and my family,” Dupre said. “We are an employee based company. I would encourage anyone to let this be a stepping stone. A lot of former employees that I have worked with have gone on to become nurses or doctors. It is a good opportunity to try out the medical field.”