Siffaliss

I am doing the things I need to succeed Dwayne, although I keep forgetting to report my progress to you in a timely fashion. I think perhaps you're the one with the arrogance here. I don't run from things that make me uncomfortable; perhaps in my younger years before I got a backbone ... Let me tell you something about me. Something about me: - sounds corny, but when adversity hits and takes me down, I roll with the punches after my 5 minute mope and get back up again - I don't sit around feeling sorry for myself when something goes wrong in my life, I do something about it - I run with my successes and learn from my mistakes - when I want something and have set my sights on it, I work hard for it and I goddam get it ... nothing is for free I've yet to apply for registration or take a serious look at moving to a different country, so there's still no guarantee for me if that makes you feel any better. Possibilities are there, so please stop being jealous or mad or whatever it is you're doing. Just be happy someone can be successful by working for what they want.

Snap what?

It's merely one option I'm considering. I realize the difference in systems and costs; scope of practice is much different than what I currently have. Health care for myself is a concern in the US, as I recently saw the ambulance bill for my dad's AMI in November (he lives near San Diego). $2700!!! They fuggin' charged $80 for oxygen and $30 a mile for transport? Come on ... Anyhow, I'm looking at several options. Certainly not for the $$ if I move south, I make more than twice as much here as I would in any US state. I'm looking for new experiences and have several options.

It's one of the states I'm looking at might be visiting there in May/June ...

Actually the OP is Canadian chick I have an American dad (no relation to the infamous Stan Smith we see on TV), and a Canadian mom. My dad moved back to the US after being a 1) landed immigrant, then 2) permanent resident after 9/11. He never gave up his US citizenship and moved back in 2005. I'm just tired of the short summers and would rather move somewhere with steadily 'reasonable' weather. Plus I want to explore more, and my occupation allows me to do so. I am looking into both OZ and AZ (along with a couple other states). Time to change things up for Siffy

I'm exploring three options for within the next 12 to 18 months. The more time I spend away from my city the less I want to be here when I get back. Tired of the long, cold winters ...

That helps a bunch DFIB, thank you. I didn't realize EMT courses were available online there so that's great info. I've got 6 years in the field here already, so if I have to do a couple of online courses it will be good review. PERCOM was the name of the school? As for a green card, not a problem for me. I have several relatives who are Americans residing in the US including my dad, and the Consulate has told me (in no uncertain terms) that I have an ace in the hole with that. Again, thanks for the info

Questions to those who have moved to the US for EMS ... asides from citizenship - what processes did you have to follow? - what state did you move to? - documents from education you had to provide? - did you have to write any exams? - etc etc? - etc?

Been city for 4 years now, not long compared to some but my senority has moved wayyyyy up due to high turnover ... Anyhoo, I've never seen morale this low.

I've received this survey and have filled it out. Why wouldn't I do so simply because I work in Edmonton? Because I won't paint my job with a happy shmappy brush? Finally after nearly 3 years, AHS is starting to realize "whoa wait a minute, maybe we aren't doing as well as we have been telling everyone" ... they might actually be starting to listen to us.

It's not the job that's tough, it's generally the BS surrounding it. Some issues which have already been stated are: - shift work (mental and physical exhaustion) - lack of free time (also see above) - work politics (stay out of this completely) Make every effort to keep yourself "balanced", as this will certainly contribute to longevity in the field.

Well said.

A couple good points rom. He has however due to previous issues worn out his welcome with me. Not that it means much, so I guess after trying to take time and being lied to I'm being a dismissive asshole. Have fun with him.

He's a 16 year old kid who hasn't even started school yet. These guys are correct, he will ask a random question, hasn't done any reading, contributes nothing to the post he started.

For anyone, males or females, respect is as previously stated earned and should never be expected or demanded. EMS is an industry where we eat our young which in some cases is unfortunate. Not sure how that works in the fire world as I'm not fire. I've only been in the field for 6 years but what I've learned is this ... you need to learn how to adapt, like FAST. Don't go in anywhere expecting everyone to change to fit your ideal of a perfect job or workplace. As much as it can pain some people, sometimes the new dog coming in is the one that needs to do the changing, hence learning to adapt quickly. Take what he says with a grain of salt. Sounds like he's trying to get a rise out of you, so if you've got thick skin then show him. If not, get thick skin. If you can't, perhaps you should look at another career. But quit letting them take advantage of you and quit doing their work as well as yours. If they're refusing to go on calls, I would think that's negligence on their part. I dunno who will agree and who will disagree with me on this point, but here it is ... as a newb whether it be the industry or just a particular service, probably not a good idea to start running to management with complaints right from the start. But that's just me. Whenever I've entered into a new service during my short time in EMS so far, it's always eyes and ears open with mouth shut. Harsh yeah, but the truth in a lot of situations. For the record, I am also a female.

Yes, it's music that's to blame for everything that went wrong in the world. "If you do not think that the angry lyrics in rap music do not influence young gang members you have your head in the sand". Sure, maybe gang members are influenced by rap. Why do kids join gangs? Perhaps for a feeling of belonging ... maybe intimidation, maybe protection, maybe other friends or siblings ... who knows, that's a whole different topic. Did most of us want to go blow my head off when Kurt Cobain did? No. Did we all want to to hang ourselves when Michael Hutchence hung himself while trying to rub one off? No. Generalizing the inactions of a stupid few does not mean that Nirvana's music will make one suicidal, or that listening to INXS will make one want to try traumatic erotica. Perhaps it's you who has their head in the sand? Doesn't seem like you can look in any other direction.

That stuff is quite typical during flu season ... as ridiculous as it is.

Ok, this isn't particularly funny but I couldn't see another forum suitable for it. I was gritting my teeth a little ... http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2079050/Mary-Ellen-Lisee-calls-911-tell-police-I-ate-food.html

Seriously? It's been banned? My next few comments would be better reserved for another topic ...

New generation. That would be like saying all you homosexuals are nothing but a bunch of rave-going puffs that like to do ecstasy and poppers and wear assless chaps while occasionally dancing around naked to 'Macho Man'. Don't generalize the inactions of a precious few and say it 'pretty much applies to everyone'. I think we all know that narrow minded kind of thinking doesn't get anybody anywhere. Just because there are shitty parents out there doesn't mean every parent now is the same. And just because a few kids are stupid enough to really take a song that far, doesn't mean they all will. Very good point. I have a friend who was telling me about when saying the word pregnant on television or radio would get one fired and a reputation tarnished forever. But do we think we can shelter each up and coming generation from 'whatever happens next'?

I'm no bible thumper either, but what does that have to do with anything? And how do you figure the song has incited violence so far? Got stats? I've yet to find any associated with this song, and I did search. Please, nobody listen to Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, for fear you might be subliminally coaxed to go drop some acid and hallucinate for a few hours. Nobody should listen to Kurt Cobain either, as he posthumously forced several impressionable teens to commit suicide. As much as I was bullied and not helped with it, I knew the difference between right and wrong and never stole a gun and went on a shooting rampage at my junior high school. Besides, most things we watch in theaters or on TV, or video games people play would likely do way more to promote the sort of violence we seem to be referring to here. I knew Steve Martin was strange, but wow ...

Hi Matt, In Edmonton we do have CBRN, TEMS (tactical). I think it's mostly fire and some rural services that would have confined space, etc. Fire and EMS are not amalgamated in this city. A few years ago when I was first starting out in EMS, it would seem that working rural was like a right of passage for newbs coming into the field. They'd have to get experience on car rurally, then MIGHT be considered for urban ALS. Things change however and it seems as though potential applicants are getting younger and younger, and are barely out of the house never mind having any actual field experience for a couple years ...