Community Highlights: Meet Chris Bailey of A1 Medic Team LLC

Today we’d like to introduce you to Chris Bailey

Hi Chris, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My story? It’s all God’s work, this is all God’s doing. Back in 2015, I had been working as an EMT with a local company since 2011, making a modest living. I struggled to make ends meet. For me to be able to afford a decent living space, catch up on child support, and take care of my basic needs, I had to work a minimum of 20 to 30 hrs. of overtime. In addition, I had to do personal training on the side to have pocket money after paying bills. Before EMS, I worked in telecommunications. Telecommunications was cool, until 911 hit. After 911 the business became very inconsistent, forcing me to rely on personal training to subsidize my income. Thank God I had personal training. Although it was inconsistent, my clients would always come back around when I needed them. If I didn’t have my fitness business, I would’ve depended on my family more than I did, and I depended on them a lot, especially my mother. After going to my mother, Aslee Bailey (Boots) for help one too many times she sat me down and told me “Something has to give.” Since I didn’t have a degree, I needed to get a certificate or a license in something. As she watched me struggle for years, Mom would often say “You need something to fall back on son.” After our “Come to Jesus” meeting, that day was the day I decided to listen to my mother and pursue that something I could fall back on. When I was a senior in high school, my mother noted all the times I jumped into action to help others. As a child, I admired my father’s medical knowledge and ability. James Bailey (The JB) removed splinters, pulled teeth, and mixed concoctions to remedy just about any and everything. At one point, I thought this Chevy worker was a doctor. I wanted to be the doctor; I thought my dad was.
Mom suggested I pursue a career EMS back when I was 18. I took a few classes back in 1992 but left the program to pursue my football career in Canada. Some 18 years later, I revisit becoming a 1st responder. In 2010, I finally got my EMS license and started my new career as an EMT at the rightful age of 36. I finally established something to fall back on. I loved it, but I still had to hustle.

In the spring of 2015, I had no idea my life would change forever. I worked a 5p to 5a shift. As always, I did my normal routine. Pack my lunch, pack my gym bag, hit the gym, then report to work. Shortly after clocking in, my partner and I were dispatched. We got  an out-of-town transport. We celebrated because this meant we would only have one call for the day. Easy money. We agreed I would drive the first leg of the shift. That meant picking up the patient from the hospital and driving the patient to their door, four and a half hours away in Donaldsonville Georgia. He agreed to drive back, Sweet!  After dropping off our patient, I noticed the glossy eyes of my partner.
Me – ay man you good?
Partner – yea man I’m good
Me – nah man, I knew you were gone pull this stunt. I told you to get some rest while you were back there.
(My partner was on his laptop and entertaining the patient the entire 4.5 hr. ride)
Partner – man I’m good, I’ll drive. I don’t want you crying all the way to the station.
Me – How bout this? It’s about 45mins to the highway. Once I get us there, we can switch then.
Partner – Bet
Me – Get some rest and when we get to that gas station, get you some coffee or energy drink.
Partner – Bet
Note: My partner and I are very respectful of one another. We are great friends and support one another to this very day.

I drove to the gas station near the highway. We fueled up, he got his coffee, and I hopped in the passenger seat ready to chill. My partner shook it off and took the wheel. I dozed off as he drove. I felt the ambulance sway, so I woke up. I see my partner struggling to stay awake. I tap him “Ay yo, you good man”? My partner shakes it off and assures me he is ok. He complained about my music and requested something more upbeat. I found something he approved but I still suggested we pull over and both shut it down. It was obvious we were both tired. My partner considered it but stressed how he had to be home by a certain time. My partner continued driving. I watched him closely until I dozed off again. Then “BANG!, SCRAP!, BANG!, BANG!”. My partner fell dead asleep, drifting from the far-right lane across the highway to the far-left lane slamming the driver’s side of the ambulance into the high median wall. We both woke up yelling. My partner grabbed the wheel and regained control of the ambulance. Startled, he got off at the next exit. We checked ourselves and confirmed the damage to the side of the ambulance. I was angry, but I was also very grateful. I thanked God for keeping us safe because this could’ve been the end for us both. As for the job, we knew we were gonners. I called dispatch to inform them of the incident as we made our way back to the station, both wide awake.

As a result of the incident, we were both suspended. I don’t know about my partner, but that hurt me tremendously. I was taken off the schedule and lost all my overtime shifts. I didn’t know how I was going to recover from this or what I going to do. I needed all those hours. My mother told me not to worry. Boots assured me, she would help me until I got back on my feet. Boots also reminded me “How fast we forget how God made it so you could walk away from that incident unscathed”. She also reminded me, “If it was God’s will for that day to be your last day, you wouldn’t be here.” “That mean he ain’t done with you yet”. Boots most certainly believed God had something better lined up for me and my partner. I wanted to believe her, but I struggled with it. Maybe God had something better for my partner, but not me. I struggled to believe I had God’s favor, and I was just lucky. My lack of faith didn’t stop me from praying. I prayed figuring, what can it hurt? I just didn’t believe my prayers were heard or I was worthy, but what if my prayers were being heard? Despite feeling unworthy, I prayed for a remarkable testimony anyway. In the past, I’ve heard so many remarkable testimonies but never had one of my own. Or at least one I could recognize. Could this be the making of my wonderful story? I hoped, but I still didn’t believe I had God’s favor.

Days into my suspension, I was offered an overnight shift under drive restrictions due to callouts. This could be God, but I didn’t think so. Nevertheless, I took the shift. Around 2 AM we were posted and were waiting for our next call. Still dejected, I laid on the stretcher when I got a call from my good friend Walter. Walter asked if I was free the next day and if I could work in his place. I declined then he told me it was for a new production in town and the pay rate. The location was an hour outside Atlanta. I never had the opportunity to work on set before and up until then I didn’t know anyone that would bring me on. Well, my partner had a way in, but he hadn’t worked on set yet. After hearing the details there was no way I was going to turn that opportunity down. Walter advised me to pull up to his job and get more instructions and medical equipment. At 2:20AM, I told my then-partner to take me to the station because I was not feeling well. I called dispatch and told them I had to leave immediately. I got to the station and headed right to Walter’s job. I called Walter once outside his job. In moments he came to my car with a box full of medical supplies. He gave me instructions and contact information. I dumped my gym bag and filled it with the medical supplies he gave me. I headed to my apartment to get ready for this new experience. I wasn’t aware this was a new beginning, I wasn’t aware this would be my testimony.

The name of the show was “Home Free” with Mike Holmes Season One. Home Free was a home improvement game show running 24 hours for 10 weeks straight. Walter and I had to come up with a plan to cover this production since he was in nursing school at the time. Walter gave me his availability and tossed me the keys to the production. He was still the lead Medic, but he entrusted me. That meant a lot. Walter gave me one other person to add to our team and I took it from there. That show was the first time I acted as a manager / supervisor in this business. I gathered a team of EMTs and Paramedics and hired them as contractors. We covered that show like we had been doing this for years. We worked well together and made a good name for ourselves in the process. During those 10 weeks, I couldn’t help but reflect on just weeks ago I thought it was over for me. I just walked away from a potentially life-altering wreck and a suspension from my job. Weeks ago, I didn’t know how I was going to be able to pay rent or child support. It was God showing his favor. I was humbled and grateful.

I never made that much money as a 1st responder. I thanked God every day for that opportunity. I was so very grateful Walter called me, I am still grateful to this very day. Byu the time Home Free wrapped, I was caught up on everything I once was behind on. Praise God.

Production jobs didn’t fall into my lap like Home Free did. After working in production, my days of working on an ambulance were numbered. I had to make a move. I had to get off that ambulance. So, I went back to school and I tried to get into the Physical Therapy Assistant program…denied. I got into Gwinnett Tech’s radiology program only to flunk out in the second semester.  March of 2017 was a dismal time for me. Again, feeling outside God’s favor and blanketed by failure at 43 years old. Not realizing God’s blessings I was in the dumps again. I had another meeting with my mother. This time she reminded me to be grateful for what I have and what I have achieved. Boots encouraged me not to give up and things are sure to turn around, keep the faith she said. I didn’t believe her, I couldn’t. After wallowing in self-pity another day or so, I finally got the nerve to start my own business, A1 Medic Team LLC. After failing radiology, I decided to put all that energy and effort into I used for Radiology, into myself. The little money I had I invested into medical equipment. I become a CPR instructor and start creating my own EMS identity. The calls started to come in. I worked on music videos, commercials, and sporting events. Later that year, I got a call from Swirl Films. Swirl booked me over and over again. Swirl Films made it so I could step away from the ambulance permanently. A1 Medic Team was in full effect and officially employing up to 3 to 5 medics at a time. In the middle of writing checks, I stopped to give God praise. Before I knew it, I was walking in my testimony again. The sting from failing out of radiology school was slowly fading away.

It gets better
While talking to my mother sometime back in 2017 she was watching her favorite person and her favorite tv show, Family Feud with Steve Harvey, I complained. “Mom all you watch is Steve Harvey this, Steve Harvey that”. Mom looked me dead in the eye and said, “You never know, you could end up working for him someday”. I told Boots that would be nice, but things like that just don’t happen for me. I couldn’t receive it because that was too specific. There is no way God would make that happen for me. Mom says, “You never know”. There I was in 2017, bouncing back from failing out of radiology, working for my friend’s EMS company. I just couldn’t see it. Eventually, I had to step away from my friend’s company to service my growing book of clients. The production jobs picked up as well. Work became more consistent; I was doing pretty good for myself. Sometime in 2019 I received a email from the Harvey team asking if I would be available to work the first season of “Steve on Watch” with the one and only Steve Harvey. I couldn’t believe it. God’s Grace again. Boots called it again. I replied to the email immediately. “Yes, I am available”. I couldn’t wait to share this news with Boots. The first opportunity I got; I went to visit my dear mother. I pulled up the email and said check this out. Mom started reading the email quietly and her voice got louder as she read more into the email. After reading the email my mother slapped the table pointed to the sky and said, “Wont he do it, I told you didn’t I”? We both smiled with tears of joy. I worked the show, and the entire crew and Harvey team were great to work with.  It was like working with family, they were all so cool.  I was the new guy, and they all welcomed me with open arms.  I really enjoyed that experience.  Most of all I needed to hear a lot of what Mr. Harvey delivered. Mr. Harvey constantly drove home how important it is to write it down and make it plan, referencing Habakkuk 2 and 2.  Day after day I couldn’t believe this was my job.  Season one came to an end and I hoped I made a good enough impression for a call back. I wanted to be their guy. A few months later, in August 2020, just landing in Miami for my birthday trip I decided to check my email while the plan taxied. The first email I see is from the Harvey team asking if I was available to work Family Feud. Just as before I forwarded this email to Boots immediately. I tried to contain my joy as I shared the good news with my girlfriend. She and I celebrated on the plan, this was the perfect birthday gift.  As we were making out way to baggage claim my phone rang. I answered and I heard that slap on the table and her saying proudly “Won’t he do it again, won’t he do it?” God showed up for me again.  My girl knew it was Boots when she saw me holding back tears.  I was choaked up and couldn’t speak.  Mom knew, she said; “I know baby, I am so proud of you.  Enjoy your birthday trip, I love you” than hung up.

Since then, God has continued to bless me with opportunities, and I walk with a testimony. A1 Medic Team is well-known and recognized in the industry. I have since worked all of the Steve on Watch Seasons, The Steve Harvey Judge Show season one and two, Nick Cannon’s Wild n Out, and have been on Family Feud since 2020.  I have also had the opportunity to speak at Mr. Harvey’s mentoring camp for young men.  He may not be aware, but Mr. Harvey and his team have been a positive influence in my life.

Today, I have broadened my horizons and started printing my own T-shirts.  I print and design my own signature medic swag.  In an effort to stand out I came up with the idea to merge EMS with hip-hop culture.  I call them my “tribute editions”. The result was a medic shirt using the Wu-Tang logo.  Today my WU-Tang Medic shirt is a hit with production.  As a matter of fact all my Tribute Medic shirts are a hit.  We have Run-DMC Medic and my favorite the Ill-Medic T-shirts and hoodies. These shirts have also done wonders for marketing. It’s been a wonderful journey indeed. I am happy to be where I am, and I am looking forward to seeing what God has next up for this kid from Buffalo.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No. The road is not smooth at all.

Being a business owner is not for everyone. One of the obstacles is insurance. To get certain jobs, your business must be insured. Insurance is ridiculously expensive for healthcare providers. The cost of Insurance makes it very difficult for some business owners. If you don’t have certain coverages, you don’t get the job. Having the funds to afford insurance is one of the biggest struggles.

Getting work is not easy either. There are so many people out here doing the same thing, you have to be versatile. I am always looking for other ways to expand and sustain my business.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?

What is the name of your business – A1 Medic Team LLC

Tell us more about your business – We are a group of healthcare providers / 1st responders teaching CPR and providing on-site medical triage services for events and productions.

What should we know – I’m just a kid from Buffalo, New York. God brought me a long way. This didn’t happen overnight. I went through a lot to get here, and I have a lot further to go. I grew tired of working for a company that I knew; I would not be granted the opportunities I wanted and needed. I enrolled at Atlanta Tech to pursue my license as a Physical Therapy Assistant. I was not granted entry into the program. A year later I enrolled into Gwinnett Tech. I was accepted into the Rad Tech program but failed out of the program in March 2017. That last failure created a monster, I became an overachiever. A week later I started A-1 Medic Team and never looked back.

What do you specialize in – We specialize in providing standby on-site emergency medical services. More like a mobile triage service. We do not transport.

What sets you apart from others – Our service and our set gear, sets us apart from others. We might be the only medical service with our own clothing line.

What are you most proud of brand-wise? – I am most proud of our longevity and our good reputation. By the Grace of God, we get calls and have built some amazing relationships over the years.

What do you want our readers to know about your brand? – I would love for readers to know we appreciate the business, and we love what we do. We love being on set, we love being in the arena, soundstage, set, and amphitheater. We built this from nothing and are humbled by the many opportunities.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I don’t think most people know how much I put into this. I don’t think people know how this business saved me psychologically. People don’t know how devastated I was after failing out of the radiology program. People don’t know how determined I am to never work for someone else ever again. I love what I do and I love helping others.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://a1medicteam.com
• Instagram: @a1medicteam @chrisbaileyis
• Facebook: a1medicteam
• Twitter: a1medicteam
• Youtube: chrisbaileyis

Image Credits
Eugene Coty Jr