On a typical spring morning, Rebecca McCallin would be on the Allegheny River with over 40 of her teammates for a 6:00 a.m. practice. Now at that hour, the Duquesne junior rower may be found wrapping up an overnight shift with a different team, on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
McCallin is currently serving as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) with the Port Washington Volunteer Fire Department in her hometown of Port Washington, N.Y., located on a peninsula saddled between the Hempstead and Manhasset Bays on Long Island.
 
McCallin has volunteered with the department for the past two years after becoming certified in the state of New York through a program offered at her high school, Kellenberg Memorial.
 
"My initial reasoning for being certified was to join some part of the healthcare system," said McCallin, a biology major. "They were offering the program at my high school and my instructor was an ex-chief in his hometown, so it was great to learn from him."
 
After completing the program, which is provided in cooperation with the Nassau County Emergency Medical Services Academy, she learned of the opportunity with the Port Washington Volunteer Fire Department.
 
"I thought volunteering with the fire department would allow me to earn hands-on experience, while also making a difference in my community," McCallin stated. "Now I am extremely happy with my decision."
 
McCallin has certainly gained plenty of hands-on experience in working a number of nine-hour overnight shifts per week as of late. She even recently became qualified to drive to calls and serve as the technician in charge.
 
"I thought I'd step up in the event our staff was spread thin," McCallin said.
 
Volunteering her time as an EMT, McCallin has surely 'stepped up.' She described that no two days on the job are the same, and with the COVID-19 pandemic, that is especially true.
 
"Shifts are extremely variable," McCallin observed. "Before COVID-19, it was mostly responding to calls of geriatrics falling, motorcycle accidents, diabetic emergencies, things of that nature. Once the Coronavirus outbreak started, it has been a lot of panic, with far more frequent calls. Some days we will get five-or-more calls in a row. The next day you could get just a few, no day is typical."
 
McCallin's schedule is anything but typical. In addition to her work as volunteering as an EMT, she has her rigorous course load as a biology major. With the semester moving online, it has allowed her to view lectures and complete assignments when her schedule allows.
 
McCallin noted that her experiences as a student-athlete at Duquesne have helped her conquer the challenges of the unconventional schedule, especially when it comes to time management.
 
"Being part of the rowing team has given me the mental strength to manage my time, especially with the overnights as an EMT plus school and workouts, just being able to balance everything," McCallin said. "Some days it's easy, most days it's not, but I'm used to the schedule because of rowing and my challenging academic program. A lot of college students are coming back from school – and they're struggling with the online schedule, but I am used to it."
 
She is certainly used to having a lot on her plate, as McCallin is also working with fellow students on a team for the NASA SUITS (Spacesuit User Interface Technologies for Students) Competition.
 
The objective is to create a modified spacesuit helmet that will be utilized by astronauts on NASA's Artemis mission for a 2024 moon landing.
 
"My team's plan is to utilize the Microsoft HoloLens to develop the AARDVARK (Astronaut Assisted Retrievable Database Vehicular and Reconnaissance Kit) with the ANT (Astronaut Navigation Tool) which will be worn around the wrist," McCallin explained. "These devices will be used to create an augmented reality extravehicular activity (EVA) helmet that can navigate the lunar surface, monitor vitals with display, and provide project relevant information to astronauts as needed."
 
Additionally, McCallin's NASA team was able to connect with aerospace company Blue Origin to secure a spot on one of its launches. The team will be testing how bacteriophages can be used to treat infections in space.  
 
Following graduation, McCallin plans to attend medical school.
 
Despite the hectic schedule as an EMT, biology major and student-athlete, one thing which McCallin says keeps her motivated is the community's support of the fire department's efforts during the pandemic.
 
"People have been especially appreciative now more than ever, donating food baskets and more personal protective equipment (PPE), things of that nature," McCallin remarked. "It has been really great to see."
 
In serving her community as an EMT, McCallin expressed that seeing patients recover as well as building trust with families are the most gratifying parts of volunteering with the department.
 
"Seeing people that recover out of the hospital, you'll see them in town at the grocery store and they say thank you. Just knowing you contributed to that is a great feeling," McCallin said.
 
"Many times families don't know what to do in emergency situations," she continued. "To reassure them we are doing what we can to help – and seeing them feeling comfortable with you because they know you are helping their loved ones – is rewarding."
 
The Port Washington Fire Department's motto is "Neighbors Helping Neighbors." Rebecca McCallin is undoubtedly living out that motto, at a time when her neighbors need her the most.