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It seems like we've been seeing a lot of new faces lately, and from them gaining a lot of strong, smart new members. In the spirit of the City I thought maybe we could throw out some ideas on how to be successful here? Here are a few of mine.. 1) Welcome. We're glad to have you no matter what your certification level, experience, education or what type of service you happen to work at. The fact that we're glad to have you doesn't mean we don't argue these points, it simply means that we value thoughts, and the people brave and kind enough to share them, from every point on the compass and political spectrum. 2) You can gain very little here if you don't participate. Learn here, where it's safe, to air your ideas and encourage constructive criticism. If you can't push yourself out front here then you need to question if you'll have what it takes to push yourself to the front when people are suffering. Also, doing so causes most of us some pressure, allowing you to learn to think with that pressure and accept the consequences of those decisions. 3) No one here, regardless of how it may sometimes seem, wants to see you fail, here or in your career. Too often it seems that criticism is considered derision when in fact the exact opposite is true. We thrash each other's ideas to make each other stronger, not to try and prove our superiority. There is nothing that makes the smartest people here happier than to see those that have been mentored here succeed and even surpass the high standards most often expected here. I'm always very aware when someone has commented on one of my thoughts that this is a smart, successful person that had better things to do, yet made time to help me try and get smarter. I try and remember to be grateful for that. Nothing makes me happier than to lose an argument, because it means that I've fought with every tool in my toolbox to defend something that seemed perfectly logical and evident to me, yet...I was wrong. And now, thanks to someone smarter, that fought harder, I don't have to continue to be wrong tomorrow. 4) Do not Google your answers and then pretend that they are yours so that you don't feel stupid. Being wrong isn't stupid. Being afraid of being wrong, and so allowing yourself to remain wrong is stupid. Give answers from your head, use your own brain, create your own logic trees, that is how you grow and become stronger. Think I'm kidding? Follow my posting history and you'll see some of the most idiotic thoughts you can imagine, but many didn't remain idiotic because I was allowed to work them out with help from my friends here. And when I say friends? I'm talking about some really smart folks that left my ego bruised and bleeding at the end of some gnarly discussions. 5) Please understand that when we critique your spelling and grammar that it is not to belittle you but to help you grow as a professional and separate yourself from the significant number of your peers that everyone else is laughing at every day. Hanging out is fine, but use that time to improve yourself. We all make mistakes. We're looking not for perfection, but for the effort that says you're trying. Spelling and grammar are a practiced skill. We all make mistakes, that's why we push each other to constantly keep practicing. 6) Chat is chat and the forums are the forums though often the two overlap. Please don't bring your playful chat dialog and insert it into forum conversations. Not because 'chat is stupid' because of course it's not. It's just easy sometimes to take the fun, carefree familiar attitude of chat and allow it to distract from conversation in the forums. Besides, most of the people reading the threads won't get your references anyway. One's not better than the other necessarily, they just don't often mix well. 7) Have fun, be brave, make friends, find mentors, ask for help, help others…but most importantly, use this as a resource. This isn't a place that you come to prove how smart you are, but to prove that you want to be smarter. Almost everyone here respects that. Some of the most intelligent people I've ever met I've met here and my life will never be the same because I was gifted with their patience and advice. Use them, but as you do, remember to be grateful and give back. And in case I was somehow not clear...If you see my posts, and you find a bad idea, wrong thinking, bad attitude, poor logic, spelling, grammar, and choose to ignore it to 'be nice?' I will never thank you for that. I will never be grateful that you allowed me to be weaker today than I needed to be..Just sayin'... I'm hoping that many here will add to my silly little list…what do you think guys and gals? Dwayne Edited about a gazillion times because, for some reason, the text I see in my edit window isn't translating well when posted. I don't think I'll cut and paste from Word next time. No contextual changes made. Formating only.

In all sincerity, I'm happy to see EMS being compensated well for a change. It's rare, very rare, to see anyone in EMS making six figures as a base. I think the median medic income is around 39 or 40k. Why, just for example, we'll use my last employer, Charleston County EMS. As a medic, they start you as a crew member. That's at around 38k. After six months, you bump to around 45k/yr. You top out at 68k, but that takes ten years. I think a station LT, which is a senoir crew chief, makes maybe 5k more. Now, there's a posting for asst director. Here's the link, it should be good for the moment: https://jobsweb.charlestoncounty.org/hronline/public/vacancylisting.aspx They only pay 60-74 grand for someone with a bachelors and 10 years managerial experience. I personally find this sad and pathetic. This is basically second in line under the director. I'm making that now. Charleston County has no excuse to compensate so poorly, since they're the richest county in the state. Their EMS also pays the highest. I think it's a great thing to make a six figure base w/o OT where you are. It's sad here. At least you guys have your stuff together. Check my above post. Supervisors with bachelors degrees can't even break six figures.That's why I think that EMS degrees past the AAS don't give much clinical content. If they did, it would be all the easier to branch off to another medical field where they're treated better, compensated better, and have more opportunity for advancement. As such, I don't see EMS growing and advancing into the roles of critical care and other areas that are currently handled by RN's. If one has most of the knowledge and/or classes required by nurses and maybe PA's, then they'll eventually migrate in that direction. Unless things change regarding working conditions, salary, and such, I don't see the clinical education for the paramedic passing the level of the EMS AAS here. I could see the AAS becoming the minimum standard for entry, but not much where clinical knowledge is concerned.

I disagree. This is a largely anonymous internet forum and I think it is important that we continuously compare ourselves with our peers to get perspective. If you don't want to participate then nobody is twisting your arm.

Don't be such an amateur. You need to draft some form letters that everyone can use to mail/email to their local and state politicians. And while you're at it, provide links to these state govt's, and ask others to provide contact info for their local govt's as well. One major consideration is that most politicians' main objective is getting re-elected. How do you think all these entitlement programs stay in effect? That's where the votes are. Numbers game. Anyway, you'll need money to effectively lobby, so you'll need to collect donations. You'll also need to assist in these legislators' PR campaigns for re-election. Photo ops, PSA's, charities with said politicians, billboards with your organization endorsing them for the upcoming election. You'll need organization for this to have any chance of working, of course. By the look of things, you have your work cut out of you. This is the best the profession has to offer at the moment, the NAEMT: http://www.emtcity.c...nefits-jemscom/ Remember this thread? I'm sure that many don't. It received quite the underwhelming response, and nearly half of them were mine. Since many single role providers are outraged, frustrated, and hopping mad at the fire service and the IAFF, I would think that the thread would have at least sparked some sort of discussion, perhaps about how to organize and lobby effectively. Guess not. Most would rather bemoan the actions of the fire service towards EMS rather than take any active role in opposition. Everyone jumping on a fire based EMS thread, giving each other high fives, boosting their rep points to 300 on an anonymous internet forum may be therapeutic for venting purposes, but it changes nothing. Why does a fire bashing thread (right or wrong) get upwards of 30, 40, 50 or more posts and a very (suprisingly) infrequent thread speaking of EMS organization and advocating a better deal for the profession gets a passing glance at best? I've said it time and time again, the EMS profession will remain transient so long as benefits, wages, working conditions, call volume, retirement and such remain undesireable. The idea of raising educational standards is a good one, but requires organization. The majority of employers won't compensate degreed medics more generously when tech grads are still available. Hard to organize when the majority of the workforce gets in, then gets out when the have the opportunity after being used and abused. For every happy, gainfully employed EMT or medic, there are probably five to ten that are miserable, or will soon be after a few years. Unions, strictly EMS unions, are the only short term remedy to blunt the epidemic of attrition in this industry. If you say that unions are evil, that they do nothing, that you would rather keep the dues to yourself, then I don't know what to tell you. Many are so ignorant that they don't understand that unions in right to work states are strictly voluntary, and enrollment isn't mandatory. We get what we want by doing the above things, using a portion of dues to effectively lobby, donate campaign contributions, and assist the politicians that serve our needs by providing positive PR in their election/reelection campaigns. The photo ops where we bring our spouses and young children are particularly effective. Check out this video from a session of the County Board of Supervisors. Our President was responding to the take home car "scandal" by admin, and more importantly, to squash the County Executive's proposal of 89 uniformed RIF's. We were successful. Notice the members of the Local 2068 wearing yellow t-shirts (I mentioned this on another thread when someone joked that the opposing group took red first), and also the tactic of bringing our spouses and young children to the session. We enter at 43 seconds into the video. http://www.myfoxdc.c...n_prompts_audit We saved all 89 jobs, and we'll be able to save the 30 proposed for RIF this year as well. That's what I'm talking about! What politicians care most about is getting re-elected. See my above post. I could never imagine those in the fire service ever choosing to allow things to change in the manner that you describe.

I will most likely start my Medic class next month. What do you all suggest I look at before the class start so that I am a bit more prepared? Drugs? Drug calculations? Reading an EKG?

Screw the side effects! http://natebloch.com/

All that is required for evil to triumpuh is for good men to do nothing, Ella Wheeler Wilcox

That has to be one of the most naive comments I have ever seen in these forums. If you truly feel those things don't happen in other fields, you are truly either willfully blind, or truly naive. EVERY organization has those things... EVERY profession has those that are willing to sleep with whoever, buy off whoever, bribe whoever, and do whatever it takes to get what is in the best interests of themselves over the profession.... oh yea - I am speaking to the person who decided to go fire department not for the passion of the work, but to cover their ass with benefits... what have you done to help EMS become more of a profession? And please... don't give me the "my service does...." line again... how are you personally improving EMS? Do you instruct? DO you mentor? Are you vocal about better pay and better working conditions for EMS? Do you do everything in your power to educate the public that EMS is a valid profession, and not just "ambulance drivers"? You want to see cronyism, favoritism, and lack of professionalism? You ask a female who works in a male dominated field of any kind.... and I can say that, having been a commercial bank manager for 15 years.... I was the only female in my region in that senior a position, and even though I held a portfolio bigger than most, I wasn't paid as well, I didn't get the "perks" that others did, and I didn't get other promotion opportunities - why? because I wouldn't f*** my boss... By your own words, you show your lack of experience in other fields, and your complete willingness to follow the lead of the lemmings who choose not to learn more... please.... educate yourself, not only in EMS, but in other fields, and you will learn that the comment you made above is an embarassment to your intelligence.

Ok, let's step back and take a deep breath. First off, from what I got, the OP didn't say that old people grossed him out. From what I perceived from the post was that he was stumbling for words and may have led the interviewer to that conclusion. I haven't seen the OP getting 'snippy' because they didn't get the answers they were looking for, but rather was willing to 'look into it'. I can understand being nervous during the interview and ultimately meaning to say one thing, but having it come out completely ass backwards! I once had an interview with General Motors, and I was asked if I had a problem with drugs or alcohol. I wasn't being a wise ass when I said "Yes, I do have a problem with it." The interviewer got this real 'understanding look' on her face and asked me to 'tell her all about it'. I proceeded to tell her that being a Firefighter and EMT, I saw the effects of drug and alcohol usage (refering to prior to or while driving). As I was about to continue explaining my position, it dawned on me just exactly what she meant... ...needless to say, I didn't get the job, or any other interviews with General Motors (this was before all the plant closings). Some of the responses I've seen in this thread prove the need to read ALL the words of a post, instead of just skimming through it to get the 'general idea' of what the OP meant!

It's not funny that is the thing. The elderly should not "gross you out" and if they do you lack the understanding and maturity to be an Ambulance Officer. Most of my workload has been older people or the elderly and they have a very unique set of needs, as do all patients but them particularly. They also have a lot to give and some of the best moments I have had on the road are at Nan's house sitting down with her having a cup of tea. Do you think they want to be in a position of having higher health needs, reduced mobility, a list of meds a mile long and to top of all off have you who doesn't want to be there because "they gross you out" helping them back into bed at 1am when they have fallen out and toileted on themselves? I notice you mentioned things to help you prepare like ECG interpretation and drug calculations. Yes, those will help but I notice everything you listed is limited to psychomotor or cognitive "skills". What if we told you the best pre-EMS experience you could get was volunteering at the nursing home or working at rehab? Would you still be interested because those things don't involve the "fun" stuff like cardiac arrest and IV analgesia? Go away and come back when you've grown up a bit.

Just wake me up when the EMS vs FD wars are over...

So then do it already. This has been going on for longer than I've been alive, and I'll be 34 soon. Get my head out of my ass. Yeah, I guess I should go on a campaign against the IAFF and put myself out of a job. I like being able to afford a home in a desireable area. I like being able to support my family without living paycheck to paycheck. I like being able to take family vacations without stressing over if we can afford it. I like being able to get my car fixed and not even care that it cost me over $500 (today). I like having all this working 10-11 days a month. I haven't found any EMS depts on the east coast that would give me that. I tried Charleston County EMS and was utterly disappointed. I would have been happy with Lee County EMS, but they didn't get to me fast enough. The only other place I'd consider would be Wake County EMS, and their salary range is only 32,600 to 49,900. I'm sure it's a great place to work, and I would suggest it as an option for single role medics that are unhappy at their present employer. That salary range is not generous enough for me, seeing that I'm making 20-30 grand over what my hiring range would have been. I'm doing the same job I was before whe I'm on the ambulance. I've also found that I enjoy the fire side as well. In addition, with the other half of my time that I'm on an engine, we don't have to txp the drunk or toe pain at 0300, and we can clear calls in 15-20 mins and go back to the station. It's nice. I can have my fill of EMS transport, and also get that break when riding the engine. It makes for a long, satisfying career with a much less of a chance to burn out. Pt keeps one fresh. The career advancement/promotional opportunities and ensuing compensation are sick. I wasn't getting that elsewhere, either. You see, I already got my head out of my ass and went to a place where I have great job satisfaction, and a great salary to boot. No place else was offering that. We'll do what needs to be done to protect our interests.

I'm thinking that the cronyism, favoritism, lack of professional (not union) organization and shady discipline/punitive actions prevalent in EMS aren't problems in other medical fields. You do need more pensions and less 401k's though.

When was I snippy? I consider myself to be a pretty smart person. It was the first real interview I've ever had. I was quite nervous. I feel like I was just being attacked by everyone for just sharing an amusing story. I don't really know where that all came from.

Actually, crotchity, the idea has great merit... The infrastructure for most fire departments is already in place - buildings, equipment, vehicles... so those kinds of expenditures could be written into the capital purchase replacement programs already in place for EMS services. Staffing wouldn't have to be increased a great deal, as those EMS staff and firefighters who are willing to crosstrain could work both fire and EMS. There would potentially be cost savings, as departments would not need as many full time firefighters on duty at any given time. Potentially, all "full-time" firefighters could be transitioned into part-time, or casual positions, which would be a huge cost savings in benefits and vacation time. And, given the call volumes for fire calls, the firefighters could be put to good use while they are at the station, ensuring that the station and all the ambulances are clean and shiny, meals are made, equipment and supplies inventories are kept stocked, and handling small administrative duties, like filing EMS reports and photocopying. This would free up EMS staff to do more patient care. And, given that now EMS staff would be able to respond to more calls, as the tedious station duties are now handled by firefighters, billing and income would increase, which would make the politicians happy. Allowing EMS staff to do what they are educated to do, rather than all the extraneous duties, would improve EMS staff morale, and lessen staffing turnover... Hmmmmmmmm....

sorry crotch they want the fires to go out not die of boredom

I'll look into that. But anyway. I just had an interview yesterday with the only EMS agency I really want to work for. And I think I may have told the interviewer that old people gross me out. That isn't what I meant but the more I replay it in my head, I think that's what he got from my answer. Oh, and I forgot what the hell integrity meant, when he asked me

Be ready to be belittled and criticized for every tiny thing you may mention. The attitude here is "you are wrong, so we will trash you for it" no matter what. Ignore those people, some of us here are friendly and understand.