Celebrating Mother's Day: Mother-Daughter Team Takes Care of Contra Costa County
5.8.2025
Paramedic passes along passion for EMS to daughter, nurturing third generation of women serving others.
This Mother’s Day, we celebrate not only the extraordinary bond between mothers and daughters, but also the unspoken strength that comes from generations of service. Katie and Alyssa Norlin’s story is a beautiful example of how a family’s dedication to helping others can shape a legacy that endures.
Katie begins her day like many mothers, sharing a quick chat with her family about what the day will bring before heading out to work. But for Katie, the workday starts in a very special way – stepping into an ambulance that her daughter, Alyssa, has prepared for Katie’s shift. The mother-daughter team serve their community at American Medical Response (AMR), a division of Global Medical Response, in Contra Costa County. Their work, rooted in a family legacy of service, spans multiple generations, beginning with Katie’s mother and Alyssa’s grandmother, Margaret Bachman.
In Their Genes: A Passion for EMS
Katie developed her passion for EMS while working with her parents at Patient Care Ambulance, which they owned and operated in Alameda County, helping with office tasks and dispatching. She studied another field in college, but after graduating, realized her true calling was EMS and returned to work with her family. When retirement called in 1995, Katie’s parents sold the company to AMR.
After Alyssa was born, Katie transferred to AMR Contra Costa to be closer to home. Katie has served with AMR for 33 years as a dispatcher, EMT, and, since 2012, a paramedic. She has had the unique opportunity to work with both her mother, Margaret Bachman, who returned for several years to work part time in AMR billing departments, as well as with Alyssa.
“I am very lucky to work with Alyssa. I enjoy being able to share how my day is going and hearing about her day,” said Katie. “She is very passionate about her work – in her role, Alyssa shows her strengths and creativity, and her positive attitude shines through.”
A Mother’s Example: Caring for Those in Need
“I have always enjoyed helping others,” said Alyssa, a vehicle service technician (VST) in logistics for the past four years with AMR Contra Costa County. “Having a career in EMS is special to me; I think of it as growing up to be like my mom, because she inspires me to help others and has always encouraged me to be the best that I can be.”
Alyssa grew up in a strong community of EMS professionals – with her grandmother and mother, and their peers at AMR as additional examples of dedication to serving others.
“My mom was my idol growing up,” said Alyssa. “She earned her paramedic license while working full time as a single mom. She showed me what hard work looked like and watching her provide care to others when they needed it most helped me fall in love with medicine and patient care. I hope to advance this passion one day and pursue a career in nursing.”
Working Together to Help Others
Katie and Alyssa’s support for each other as mother and daughter extends to their AMR family members near and far.
Katie has served as a dedicated member of AMR’s peer support team for the past five years and Alyssa joined earlier this year. Offering emotional and practical support to their fellow first responders who have experienced critical incidents or traumatic calls is a privilege and responsibility they take seriously. “Being around my family and seeing firsthand how their hard work and dedication impacted so many people, I know the important role I have in the lives of my patients, coworkers, friends and family,” shares Katie.
Alyssa's passion for helping others is deeply rooted in the values of hard work and dedication she learned from her mother and grandmother. Her role in logistics during back-to-back deployments in 2023 showcased her unwavering commitment to her peers, helping establish new operations in Washington County, Oregon, and assisting in Maui County, Hawaii, following the devastating Maui Fire. Alyssa's efforts with both teams were crucial in ensuring the smooth operation and supply logistics during these critical times.
"Working with my mom has been such an unforgettable experience," shares Alyssa. "Watching her support her peers and nurture them the way she has supported me is amazing. I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life."
Katie and Alyssa's story is a testament to the power of family and dedication in the EMS community. As we celebrate Mother's Day, we honor their contributions and the incredible bond they share, inspiring us all to work together to help others.
Katie begins her day like many mothers, sharing a quick chat with her family about what the day will bring before heading out to work. But for Katie, the workday starts in a very special way – stepping into an ambulance that her daughter, Alyssa, has prepared for Katie’s shift. The mother-daughter team serve their community at American Medical Response (AMR), a division of Global Medical Response, in Contra Costa County. Their work, rooted in a family legacy of service, spans multiple generations, beginning with Katie’s mother and Alyssa’s grandmother, Margaret Bachman.
In Their Genes: A Passion for EMS
Katie developed her passion for EMS while working with her parents at Patient Care Ambulance, which they owned and operated in Alameda County, helping with office tasks and dispatching. She studied another field in college, but after graduating, realized her true calling was EMS and returned to work with her family. When retirement called in 1995, Katie’s parents sold the company to AMR.
After Alyssa was born, Katie transferred to AMR Contra Costa to be closer to home. Katie has served with AMR for 33 years as a dispatcher, EMT, and, since 2012, a paramedic. She has had the unique opportunity to work with both her mother, Margaret Bachman, who returned for several years to work part time in AMR billing departments, as well as with Alyssa.
“I am very lucky to work with Alyssa. I enjoy being able to share how my day is going and hearing about her day,” said Katie. “She is very passionate about her work – in her role, Alyssa shows her strengths and creativity, and her positive attitude shines through.”
A Mother’s Example: Caring for Those in Need
“I have always enjoyed helping others,” said Alyssa, a vehicle service technician (VST) in logistics for the past four years with AMR Contra Costa County. “Having a career in EMS is special to me; I think of it as growing up to be like my mom, because she inspires me to help others and has always encouraged me to be the best that I can be.”
Alyssa grew up in a strong community of EMS professionals – with her grandmother and mother, and their peers at AMR as additional examples of dedication to serving others.
“My mom was my idol growing up,” said Alyssa. “She earned her paramedic license while working full time as a single mom. She showed me what hard work looked like and watching her provide care to others when they needed it most helped me fall in love with medicine and patient care. I hope to advance this passion one day and pursue a career in nursing.”
Working Together to Help Others
Katie and Alyssa’s support for each other as mother and daughter extends to their AMR family members near and far.
Katie has served as a dedicated member of AMR’s peer support team for the past five years and Alyssa joined earlier this year. Offering emotional and practical support to their fellow first responders who have experienced critical incidents or traumatic calls is a privilege and responsibility they take seriously. “Being around my family and seeing firsthand how their hard work and dedication impacted so many people, I know the important role I have in the lives of my patients, coworkers, friends and family,” shares Katie.
Alyssa's passion for helping others is deeply rooted in the values of hard work and dedication she learned from her mother and grandmother. Her role in logistics during back-to-back deployments in 2023 showcased her unwavering commitment to her peers, helping establish new operations in Washington County, Oregon, and assisting in Maui County, Hawaii, following the devastating Maui Fire. Alyssa's efforts with both teams were crucial in ensuring the smooth operation and supply logistics during these critical times.
"Working with my mom has been such an unforgettable experience," shares Alyssa. "Watching her support her peers and nurture them the way she has supported me is amazing. I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life."
Katie and Alyssa's story is a testament to the power of family and dedication in the EMS community. As we celebrate Mother's Day, we honor their contributions and the incredible bond they share, inspiring us all to work together to help others.
