DETROIT – Speaking to Local 4 Wednesday, Detroit EMT Alfredo Rojas was in surprisingly good spirits for having just survived a vicious attack while on the job.

Rojas, 25, and fellow EMT Kelly Adams, 49, suffered stab wounds to their faces and hands when they were attacked by a man while on Third Street treating a woman for an injured ankle.

Interim Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said when the EMTs asked the man to step back and calm down, he attacked Rojas with a knife or some other sharp object.

"He pulled the knife out and slashed my partner and I stepped in to try to help her out," Rojas said. "I felt him hit my face and I thought it was just a punch. I didn't know he actually slashed me. I think the adrenaline kicked in. It wasn't until the whole thing was done that I realized my hand was cut and I was really bleeding bad from my face."

Rojas nearly lost his right eye in the attack.

Rojas and Adams were released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon.

Aside from some numbness in his hands, Rojas said he's feeling good and is thankful for the outpouring of support that's been shown by the community.

"We feel the love from everybody," he said.

Rojas said he's not sure he'll be back on the job, but he will.

The man who attacked the EMTs has been identified by police as Michael Montgomery. He and the women the EMTs were tending to are both in custody in connection with the attack, but they have not yet been charged.

Montgomery is already facing charges in two other cases, including the murder of a 16-year-old.

Story: Police arrest 2 in connection to EMS attack

Families of injured EMTs speak out

Christie Adams, Kelly Adams' sister, said Adams puts her life on the line every day for others.

"Kelly is an amazing woman," she said. "She's always trying to help others."

Family members said the ordeal has been like a nightmare and they're still in disbelief that someone would attack two people who were only trying to help someone in distress.

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"I feel so bad because he (does) his job with all his heart," said Rojas' mother. She said Adams recognized the suspect when the EMTs got to the scene because he had allegedly given them trouble in the past. She said Adams told Rojas to be careful around the man.

Doctors said there's a chance that there will be some permanent scarring, but both EMTs are expected to make a full recovery. 

Fire commissioner: EMTs came 'within inches of dying'

Interim Executive Fire Commissioner Eric Jones said the EMTs drove themselves to the hospital after the attack and came "within inches of dying" from their injuries.

"(They drove) to save their lives," Jones said. "They decided that they needed to get to the hospital right away. The medics drove themselves, and I'm glad they did. I'm glad they're here."

Jones described their injuries as "some very, very deep lacerations."

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"It was a horrific scene," Jones said. "The EMS rig, the scene inside of the rig is horrific, their injuries are horrific. They're upset, they're concerned about the safety of how they do their job and their colleagues."

Jones said he's determined to give officials the training and equipment they need to protect themselves in the field. He said he will speak with Police Chief James Craig about de-escalation and defensive tactics training.

Attack raises concern over EMS safety

The attack on Rojas and Adams has raised concern about the safety of EMS technicians working in Detroit. The demands for safety training are intensifying.

"We've dropped the ball for some time at Detroit EMS," said Joe Barney, Detroit EMS union president.

Barney said he and EMS workers have been asking for safety training for some time, including self-defense, de-escalation and more.

He said the fire and EMS departments weren't interested.

"They worried more about lawsuits from citizens than technicians getting injured," he said. "And last night was probably the most brutal, savage attack I've ever seen on EMS technicians."

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It was just his second day on the job, but Jones said that he will meet with DPD to ask for training.

"I understand the situation that the men and women of the Detroit Fire Department and Detroit EMS Department are experiencing right now," Jones said. "I'm working aggressively to get them the training and the equipment they need."

Many agree that safety training would not have prevented the attack. But Barney and Mayor Mike Duggan agree that the injuries might not have been as serious.

"We need to give our EMTs every possible tool for their protection," Duggan said. "Commissioner Jones is working on that right now."

"They're going to need some prayers." Barney said, fighting back tears. "There's going to be a lengthy recovery. And in some cases, they might not be normal again."