The death of Tyre Nichols at the hands of Memphis police officers has placed scrutiny on more than just members of law enforcement.

After two emergency medical technicians (EMTs) who failed to render aid to Nichols at the scene were fired, the role of first responders in situations where police brutality may have occurred is under the microscope.

Deborah Cortes has nearly 15 years under her belt with the Beacon Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She said it comes from a calling that was shaped by the personal tragedy of her brother-in-law passing away.

“I felt like I wanted to be there for somebody because nobody was able to be there for us,” Cortes said.

Right now, EMTs are finding themselves in a spotlight that typically shines elsewhere.

Following the death of Nichols in Tennessee, two EMTs were fired from the Memphis Fire Department after they allegedly failed to render aid to him. The EMTs also had their licenses suspended by the board overseeing Tennessee's emergency medical services.

Cortes said she hasn’t seen anything that extreme in her years of service. She did share that in the past, she had to advocate on behalf of people in custody so they received humane treatment.

She recalled one incident with two now-retired police officers.

“He’s saying, 'You're not going nowhere, you're not leaving,'" Cortes said. "I looked at him and I looked at the police officer and I said to the patient in front of the police officer, in front of the few officers that were there, 'By law, nobody can refuse you medical treatment, not even in police custody. If you want to go to the hospital, I'll take you to the hospital.'”

Richard Miller, chief of operations of Mobile Life Support Services, said EMTs have a duty to act. This includes rendering care to people and intervening if a situation escalates.

“Regardless of the circumstances that those particular providers found themselves in, they definitely had a duty to treat the patient, and if it was ongoing, to make it clear to the people that were conducting themselves that way, that are just simply unacceptable,” Miller said.

Cortes said EMTs must be able to speak up and advocate for patients who need care, regardless of the circumstances. In many cases, it can be a matter of life or death.

“If you're there as a EMT, a paramedic, a firefighter and you're witnessing this, you know, you need to stand up, step in and get involved,” Cortes said.