SSG G-man

I read about 75% of this thread before I was forced to reply. I love how everyone assumes volunteers only run a call a year and loose their skills. I am a volunteer, and volunteer only, but it is not standard at my station. I would say close to half of our active members are paid ff/EMT/Medic somewhere else. One of our members is an officer in Arlington County Va, a top rated department. He enjoys being a volunteer on his time off. My department will not allow you to respond to a scene from home unless you are a chief level officer. No lights and sirens on POV's. Most people give several hours at a time to be at the station. I am an NREMT-B and proud of it. I am proud to be a volunteer, and resent the fact that someone said volunteers do it to feel go about it not help other. So I guess the paid folks only do it for a paycheck, not to help anyone. I do do it to help. Just like I volunteered to join the National Guard in 1992. I joined the Guard instead of the reserves since the Guard handles state emergencies. I bet those that want to do away with Volunteers, want to get rid of the Guard and reserves. Be a real Soldier or don't join? Where would our country have been for the last 200 years with out the Citizen Soldiers? I digress, so I will stop ranting!!

Wish I had know about linking to Amazon. I just ordered from there a few days ago. I will go through this site next time. Ordered season 1 and 2 of Emergency! on DVD!! I am a Soldier and read books about other Soldiers all the time. Some are novels and some are autobiographical. I also read Field Manuals, and other "training" material. I do not think there is anything wrong with reading about a subject you are obviously interested in, since you chose it as a profession. Hell, as a Soldier, a lot of these those of books are on the Recommended Reading List put out by the Army Chief of Staff (the HMFIC). So I say read what makes you happy. I the last several months I have been reading Richard Marcinko fiction, Dale Carnegie(misspelled I know) How to Win Friends and Influence People, The Maryland State Protocol Book, The Brady Text book from class. That does not include the periodicals I read, such as Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, JEMS, Flex and Soldier of Fortune. I do not think any one of us has the right to judge another for what they choose to read. Just a thought SARGE

Missouri, like he said in the post!!

Watching a recent episode of either Dallas SWAT of Texas SWAT, I saw one of their teams had a MD as a member. IF I remember correctly, he was armed and was close to the entry point. This incident barricaded subject eventually shot himself, do not know outcome.

I recently was in an Army Combat Life Saver class and we had to stick each other. I have to agree that getting the needle through the skin quickly is key. I am sure that you will become more and more comfortable as you do it. My county recently added an IV tech program. But you have to be an EMT-B for three years and ride at least 100 calls as an OIC. (Semi Rural county with all Volunteer EMS). Makes no sense since you can end up being a medic before you can qualify for IV tech program.

I applied with Six Flags America. Got called in to interview, the guy to interview me was not there. He was supposed call to schedule, but I have not heard back. I heard they only pay about nine an hour anyway, so I probably would not take it for that!! SARGE

Be nice if we could figure a way to get all the "City-Dwellers " together while there. Would be neat to put faces with emails!!

IS anyone going to the EMS Today conference/convention in Baltimore later this month? Might be worth it just to meet John Gage, I mean Randolph Mantooth!!

Is anyone going to the EMS Today conference in Baltimore, MD in 2 weeks? Sarge

I heard it in a military version. 10 officers and one Sergeant. He gives rousing speech...

Hey, Jimwall, I am Army National Guard AGR! Work at NGB. Hooah!

I am a volunteer, but my full time occupation is Soldier in the U.S. Army. HOOAH!!!

In my county about 90% of EMS services are Volunteer. We have some paid paramedic crews to ensure ALS support. System works well where I am because the majority of the county is rural, and the paid crews are based in the more urban area so thry can cover the area.

Seems in my area it is up to the station. My station requires EVOC and Training time before you can drive. I think it is 5 hours day, 5 night, 10 Emergency responses and 5 patient transports before you are cut loose. I know of a station that is 100 miles, then some responses and transports. Have of driving 50 miles from station and 50 back, then if it is a busy weekend can get responses and transports and be cut loose in a day.

I had been up in the air on this and had not posted. I was in my POV on Thursday and got rear-ended. I now say yes! I would wear a helmet. There are many times when I am not secured and should something occur could easily be tossed around. My accident was no fault of mine, I was waiting to make a turn and got hit. I realized, no matter how good my driver is, it is the other idiots we need to worry about. I always wear gloves, I wear eye protection when necessary, and I will always wear what ever protective equipment is available!

Just wanted to clarify one thing that has been said. Just because you have a degree does not mean you have to go in as an officer. It is one thing that qualifies you for to try to become an officer. I had a BS in History and a BS in Political Science when I enlisted and I to this date am not an officer. I have known enlisted Soldiers with Law degrees, Masters, doctoral level degrees from places like Oxford and Harvard. It is all about what you want to do. I am recommending that route, no. I just want you to know you could be a doctor and enter as a enlisted Soldier.

Chances of 18D in Army are slim. Few even get selected for Special Forces, even fewer can complete 18D. You are almost PA level. The army medic is 91W, soon to be 68W. First part of course gets you ready to pass NREMT-B. The rest goes into more advanced tings, IVs and hospital work. I don't know enough to comment on the others. Sarge

There is a EMT-B at my Volunteer Station who lost an arm as a child. His full time job is director of communications for the county Emergency Services. I have only run with him a few times, but have always heard he is a good EMT.

I run with a volunteer company. When you first start riding you get a jumpsuit. Not bad, lots of packets and reflective material. Made from a fluid resistant material. When you become a full member you get a duty shirt, which is a blue t-shirt with reflective material on it. On the front is our company shield and the back has the initials for our station and "fire-ems" below. Once you have been there a while and proved you are going to stick around you get a two piece set of gear. Pant and a jacket, similar to turnout gear in style. Still blue with lots of reflective material.

Wow, I am agreeing with Dust!!! I have never had luck with boots ordered from somewhere. The boots I wear now, I have had for several years, don't even know the brand. The company was trying to get the USMC contract in the late 90's when they change boots styles. (Prior to the shine-less.) They are a knock off but I love them!! Sarge

Blackhawk make a couple of medical specific packs, I think one might be camelbak compatible. Camelbak has a pack that you can get an insert for that is specifically designed for holding medical supplies. Camelbak stuff can be fond on just about any "gear" site, ie Ranger Joe's, Brigade Quartermaster, etc.

I would also suggest haveing it checked again, manually by some one trained. Having worked in grocery sstores in the past with those machines, I know thw abuse they can take. You never know if the machine might be off. They get moved for cleaning, banged by power jackes moving items through the store etc. I would have you BP checked again before you get too freaked.

EMT basic. Also Us Army Combat Lifesaver qualified and hoping to go to Army medic course.

The military pays me a little over $50,000 a year. My EMT volunteer work pays me nothing, but the rewards are still great! Sarge

Dust, I have to cal BS. I am a volunteer (not a wanker, WTF) and did not do it for the uniforms or lights and sirens. Yeah, my cool navy blue jumpsuit!! Great uniform! Sirens get on my nerves, I guess my ears are sensitive from not listen to orders when they told us to wear hearing protection on the firing line! I did do it to give back to the community because if not me, who? Same reason I volunteered for the National Guard, then volunteered for Active status. I can not think of one person I run with who is in it for the reasons you say! We have second and third generation folks doing this. So are paid to do it in other areas and volunteer during their "time off." Yeah, that's just for the uniforms and sirens! I think the stats are opposite, 10% do it for the lights and sirens, 90% do it for altruistic reasons!