Aaron Natali has been the operations supervisor for the Butler Ambulance Service for the past six years, but he’s been involved in fire and paramedic services since he was 16.
That’s when he joined the former Lyndora Volunteer Fire Department.
“I started at the Lyndora fire company as a firefighter,” said Natali, who was recognized as a Hometown Hero on Sept. 11 by the Butler Rotary Club PM.
His reasons for joining were twofold, he said. “My family members and friends were involved, and it was something interesting to get into.”
He is also a current member of the Evans City Volunteer Fire Department.
In between answering fire calls, working part time at the family business, Evans City Auto Parts, and being employed by an Elwood City ambulance service, he’s spent 19 years being called out on alarms.
“Between the two jobs, I worked about 90 hours a week,” he said.
Still, he doesn’t regret the time he’s spent in the firefighter/paramedic field.
“Once it gets into your blood, it’s hard to get rid of,” he said.
These days, he oversees the daily crew at the Butler Ambulance Service and assists when needed.
Paramedic supervisor Aaron Natali, right, helps Advanced EMT Michele Kriess put on a protective vest at Butler Ambulance Service in 2022. Butler Eagle File Photo
Joseph Ressler
He said contrary to popular belief, the busiest time for the ambulance service is during the week, not the weekends.
“There are more people on transports to doctors’ appointments through the week,” he said.
Natali is certified as a paramedic and intends to keep his certification by completing continuing education courses offered in a variety of places: at Butler County Community College, at Butler Memorial Hospital and online.
Natali said the paramedic field has been struggling to recover the last three years.
“In 2020, that was when COVID turned everything upside down,” he said. “The whole job marketplace, it created a crisis. A lot of people left the EMS field because of that.”
“It is very hard to find people,” Natali said. “There are not as many people coming into the field as there once were. It’s an industrywide problem.”
“We’re working to build things better than they were before 2020,” he added.
Mitchell Natali nominated his son, Aaron Natali, for the Hometown Hero Award for the Butler Rotary Club PM.
His father said Aaron takes his paramedic duties very seriously.
“His heart was always in it,” Mitchell Natali said. “One time at Christmas at St. Paul (church), a woman fell; she had just had knee surgery. He came and was very calm and took charge of the situation.
“At the All Saints Parish 5K and 1K Walk/Run a year ago, he volunteered to be the medical help if something went wrong.”
A woman fell and suffered a wrist injury. Aaron Natali not only tended to the hurt joint, but he also wheeled her across the finish line when she could not finish on her own.
Aaron Natali said of the nomination, “It’s awesome to be recognized, but I don’t do the job for recognition. In a way, it’s kind of embarrassing. I feel like we are a team, and it is the group as a whole. I can’t do anything without them.
“Rather than accepting the award for myself, I wish I could give it to all my people,” he said.
Accepting their Hometown Hero awards are, from left, Aaron Natali, operations supervisor for Butler Ambulance Service and a firefighter; Larry Shuler, a firefighter with the Butler Bureau of Fire; and Kory Fleming, a patrol officer with the city police department. The ceremony was Sept. 11 at a meeting by the Butler Rotary Club PM. Submitted Photo
David White, president of the Butler Rotary Club PM, left, and Jack Cohen, right, president and CEO of the Butler County Tourism & Convention Bureau, congratulate Hometown Heroes, from left, Aaron Natali, operations supervisor for the Butler Ambulance Service and a firefighter; Larry Shuler, a firefighter with the Butler Bureau of Fire; and Kory Fleming, a patrol officer with the city police department. The ceremony was during the group's Sept. 11 meeting. Submitted Photo
