CPhT

My condolences to you and your department. RIP Chief!

The state trooper post about 2 miles from me, up until around 2005 (I think) had a supercharged Camaro SS as a highway pursuit car. It was dark blue, had no external police markings, had low profile antennae, and all of the lights were either hidden inside the passenger compartment, or inside existing lights. Pulling up near the car, the only way you could tell it was a police vehicle was by the X on the license plate. Berkley PD also has a late 70's-early 80s Chevy Malibu 2 door DARE car that runs the 1/4 mile in 9 seconds. They use it mostly for shows and DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education, grade school anti-drug program), but they'll bring it out for patrol during the Woodward Dream Cruise. That's not to say I wouldn't ever put it past someone to take a completely irrational vehicle and make it a department car, but the wording on the article, and the "build out" of the car are just too suspicious. After all, I do live near Detroit, where the Mayor was scamming Navigators and Escalades from the city funds.

Am I the only one who noticed that the original article was a satire piece, and that the picture is photoshopped? I mean, the last line in the link is "Check out the full tongue and cheek post of the Fire Chief’s new Corvette at capecodtoday".

In my particular program, we're just now starting clinical rotations. We were given a "choice" of three ambulance companies (all private), and among those companies were 7 shifts, scattered along all 7 days of the week. The shifts start anywhere from 0400 through 1000, and run for 12 hours. We have to complete 2 ambulance rides (so 24hrs total). Then, we have one local hospital sponsoring our ER shifts, which run from 1500-2300, on either Friday/Saturday or Saturday/Sunday. We only have to do one hospital weekend (so 16 hrs total). In my opinion, 40hrs of clinical rotation isn't nearly enough. As I said in the "third rider" thread, I know what we had the pharmacy tech and pharmacist students doing at the pharmacy, and it seems like people really didn't "hop in and do it" until well into the 2nd week. Anyways, I'm not sure how other schools schedule their rotations, but it really seems like they were willing to work with us at my school. I was sure I would have to take time off work to complete my rotations, but it works out that I don't have to take off any time at all.

Teachers, cops, firefighters, EMTs, Paramedics, soldiers.... there's a reason these are called THANKLESS jobs. If someone feels the need to be thanked for their job, perhaps it's time to move on to something else.

It's all about what your schedule and abilities can handle. If you're able to process and store information on a variety of subjects without confusing the two subjects, and if you have the time to do so, why not take more classes? I know my EMT-B courses right now are 9 credit hours for the semester, so the college would let me take up to 7 more credits without any additional counselling from the dean. Although, the dean of the Public Safety program at my school said "your priority, class-wise, is and should always be your core classes". At my school, you have to pass each section from your first EMT-B class through your last Paramedic class with a 3.0 ( or higher, otherwise you have to repeat that section. With my working full time, and my desire to do well in all of my core classes, I'm only taking the EMT classes this semester. Next semester, I do my Pre-hospital emergency care preparatory class, which is 5 credit hours. I'll probably tack on my next anatomy and physiology course to round it up to 9 credits again, and also wipe out 2 prerequisites for both Paramedic and Nursing. Anyways, to answer your questions short and sweet... take on whatever you think you can handle, but remember you'll be handling it for the next 3-4 months. Talk to a student adviser and see if they can help you plan a course that takes care of several requirements in as short a time as possible.

My operations manager, when I first started at my current job, had a "Klaxxon" horn style ringtone. It was the exact same ringtone that my previous employer would use when a hazardous/toxic release was occurring. Needless to say, when his phone rang on my first day of work, and I jumped out of my seat like a bee just stung me, he was too busy laughing for me to tell him WHY I was so anxious. Seems like we're all in agreement regarding professionalism and the "appropriate" usage of your cell phone. Personally, I don't see why anyone who isn't either a 16 year old girl, or actively engaged in filming a cell phone commercial, would use anything but the stock "ring ring" style tone. Sure, having a fun tone for your friends is hilarious, but is "I like big butts" really the song you want playing when you're on the job? I like Sir Mix-a-lot as much as the next guy, but seriously?

Are you talking about receiving personal calls while "on the clock" or just the ringtones themselves? I can't speak for any of the services around here, but I know my employer right now (the pharmacy) has said to keep your phone on silent/ vibe. Also, no answering calls while working with a patient. Do people stick to that? Not really... I know back in the lab, where I worked most of the time, I would answer my phone whenever needed, kept it on low ring volume, and would go into our chemical store room to talk. Yep... I'm a bad employee. However, in the EMS setting, I can imagine the rules would be similar. If you're not actively engaged with a patient and not driving the truck, why couldn't you take a call? As for the ringtones, what are we talking about? The best rule of thumb is to keep it professional. At the minimum, if you're going to use something other than a "ringing" noise, make sure it's work appropriate (ie; Lil' John songs= probably not a good idea).

I've enjoyed reading this topic so far. I wish I could have some of you guys as preceptors (Dwayne, wanna come to Michigan for a visit?), but I'm hoping that my crew(s) are as helpful (albeit to-the-point) as the folks around here. I start my rides in November and have my hospital shifts in December for my Basic courses. It's a nervous anticipation, honestly. I WANT to do the clinical shifts, and I WANT to be in the ambulance with a crew. I WANT to see what the "real world" is like (quoted, because in class, the instructor is always talking about how things are in the real world... time to see it for myself). I'm nervous about the crew I'll be placed with most of all though. I've been a preceptor for several pharmacy students, so I know the attitude that our techs typically displayed to the new students, and I just hope I'm given a chance before I'm written off as "just another dumb student". I know there is a job to do and I just want to be able to learn as much as I can without getting in the way.

This old farmer was drinking his night away at the bar, downing one shot of whiskey after another. The bartender ventures down to fill his glass and says "Fella, I always see guys like you coming in here to drink away their sorrows and I'll tell ya, it never works. Why don't you tell me what it is that's got your head in a bind and we'll see if it's worth the bar tab?" The farmer says, "Man... there's just some things you can't explain". Bartender: "Try me... I've worked here for 20 years, I've heard it all." Farmer:" Well alright, but only if you pour me another tall one. You see, I went out to the barn this morning to milk our old cow. She's a mean one too. Kickin and gruntin and not wanting to let me anywhere near her... man, I don't know if I want to tell you this. There's just some things you can't explain." Bartender: "Well hell, sounds like a rough day of work, but nothin strange yet. Lemme fill your glass and you can keep talkin" Farmer: "Well, I set down the stool and the bucket to milk the cow and she'd just keep kicking the bucket over. And every time I'd go to pick up the bucket, she'd knock the stool over. Then I'd go to get the stool and she'd kick the bucket again, and well... I dunno, I don't think I wanna tell the rest. There's just some things you can't explain" Bartender: "Have another, it ain't so bad so far, but let's hear it" Farmer: "Fine... so, I looked around and saw my rope. I grabbed that rope and tied that cows leg to the post and sat down to start milking again. Wouldn't you know it? That dang ol cow was back at it with the other leg. So I grabbed more rope and tied up her other leg. Right as I sat down, that cow took her tail and swung it down and knocked the stool over. And... man, I don't wanna keep going." Bartender: "This rounds on me, sounds like this story is getting good". Farmer: "I looked around and tried to find more rope, but the only thing I had left was my belt. So I grabbed that tail, wrapped the belt around it, stood up on the stool, and started tying her tail up to the rafter. As I reached up, my pants fell down, and that barn door swung wide open with my wife coming out to get me for breakfast. And there's just some things you can't explain.

Reminds me of a joke I heard once... I'll post it in another thread so I don't hijack this one any more. Well, any more than this.

Grats on the little one!

That all seems to be really good advice. I'm not sure about the dispatch thing, but that's only because I haven't even considered it an option for me. Everything else though boils down to networking. If you have people who are willing to vouch for you as a person and as a worker, you're miles ahead of the list of randoms they have to interview. I'm not sure how close you are to the nearest volunteer service, but definitely consider that an option. Sure, you'll have to work elsewhere to make your money, but you'll probably have to have a part time job to support yourself as a basic anyways (or so I'm told). Number one, it gets you experience, and number two, it opens up educational opportunities (some places can get you a grant to get your medic training). Hospital jobs are another route. I know in Michigan, having your EMT-B qualifies you to work as a patient care tech, ER tech, nurse's assistant, and I think OR tech. Last, but certainly not least... find out how many people work at your local firehouse and take them coffee+donuts, pizza, burgers, or some other sort of treat. Introduce yourself, let them know you're a recent EMT-B "grad", let them make fun of you for a bit, and just explain the situation. You've got little experience in the field, and you wanted to come check out the real world, see some trucks, meet some people, and maybe get a little advice. See if they'll take you on a tour of the firehouse. See if they'll let you look at the ambulance (BLS and ALS trucks). See if there is anything you can do for them, like maybe hang around and clean stuff up for them. Don't ask, but maybe one day while you're there, they might let you ride along on a call. If you don't think that works, it's how one of my firefighter friends got a job with Detroit FD right out of the academy. Just get your name out there, prove to a few professionals that you're not a whacker, and "you'll go far, kid".

LOL, you win some, you lose some. I've been trying to keep my snacking to the healthier side lately, as I find myself more on my butt than on my feet. I replaced my can of pop with either black coffee (I'm still a caffeine-fiend) or just plain ice water from the brita filter. I've replaced the handful of potato chips with some home mixed "trail mix". Usually I use light-salt sunflower seeds, raisins, dried pineapple, pretzels, and chex. It satisfies all of the salty/sweet requirements, so my wife will eat it too, thus, she'll buy the ingredients so I can eat it. Other than that, if I'm in the lab, we're not allowed to eat or drink so if I can't hide it in the prep room (just outside the lab), I just eat it with lunch.

I grew up at Fenkell and Lahser... I know the area a bit too well. Everyone who knew me when I was living in the area, hoodlum, "straight up", or otherwise, at least acknowledged that we were all in the same situation. Mutual respect, if you know what I'm saying. Granted, that was 15-20 years ago, and you probably wouldn't know that unless I mentioned it. Usually the mention of my old address raises eyebrows with people who are familiar with the area. In any case, thanks for the advice and the knowledge. That's a really good idea about distinguishing ourselves as EMT, NOT police. I'd rather not get shot/stabbed/punched by some crackhead who sees a badge and freaks out. On the flip side, I'll really take the respect and treatment aspect to heart. People don't live in the ghetto for it's appeal and resale value, but they still need to be treated with the same level of respect and dignity as if we were pulling a CEO out of his high rise office. Thanks!

Taking a break from all your worries sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you wanna go, where everybody knows your name. Cheers! And for the next person: Here we come Walking down the street We get the funniest looks from Everyone we meet

Hmm, I'm almost morbidly curious about Taylor Ambulance. My EMS instructor worked from them (I believe in the early 80s) and he claims he got out "right about when things started getting bad". Some of the stories he tells are pretty shocking, regarding things that were done or said with patients present. He actually mentioned one of their trucks getting shot up so I wonder if that's the same incident. I've read up about some stations and I guess it's just a matter of your level of paranoia, but I've discussed with my wife what I'd be doing if I was ever working in some of the shadier Detroit areas. I know you're supposed to retreat from unsafe scenes, but who's really to say if the scene STAYS safe, especially in some place like Brightmore or Cass Corridor.

You bring up two points here that are usually the cornerstones of my arguments. The first, the coloring; I have witnessed a "test" like this before, where a child was given a pack of crayons and a picture to color. The child scribbled and drew random lines and went all over the page. The parent said "See? He can't even focus enough to color a picture". The doctor then asked the child "Why did you color the page like that?" and the child replied "I liked the way it looked, and I didn't want to color that picture". What the parent was mistaking for ADD was, in this case, just the child "expressing his self artistically". When the doctor asked the child to color within the lines and make a nice picture for his mom, this child was able to do so, without issue. Children express themselves in varying means and to varying degrees. A child who constantly asks "why" isn't starving for attention or trying to "embarrass mommy", the child is merely trying to express an interest in his/ her surroundings and is vocalizing that interest in the only way possible. The problem comes in with parents who can't be arsed to teach their kids things, or to answer the "why" question because they're too busy texting their friends and trying to hold on to the last desperate piece of youth. Second point: the public school syndrome. In this day and age of "no child left behind" teachers are faulted for the poor performance of students, even if the poor performers are in the minority. Teachers are forced to cater to the lowest common denominator, and the kids who understood the concept on the first or second go-round are left to fend for themselves while the "slow learners" (I'm using this term loosely, because EVERYONE has a subject which takes a little more time to learn; I'm not singling out "stupid" people, I'm talking about the kid who just doesn't seem to grasp the concept) get the individual help from the teacher. Now-a-days, teachers fear having to send a child away to a learning specialist, because the child will usually go home with the story of how Miss So-and-So wouldn't help me learn, and now you have a furious parent to deal with. No... teachers don't want to hear you complain about how they refused to help your child understand fractions, so they help the slower learner, leaving the ones who caught on to fidget, talk, and drift away from the conscious learning environment. Then, when Parent-teacher conferences come along, Miss So-and-so has to explain why little Brian "is a bright student and extremely smart when he applies himself, but has a hard time focusing". Little Brian's parents want to know if something is wrong, take him to the doctor, describe the "symptoms", and of course, Little Brian has ADD. Have some Ritalin and it'll be all good. Multiply scenario by 30 kids per class, 2 classes per grade, 6 grades per school, and 5 schools per city... "As of 2007, 2.7 million youth ages 4-17 years (66.3% of those with a current diagnosis) were receiving medication treatment for the disorder." http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5944a3.htm?s_cid=mm5944a3_w That's not to say the condition does not exist; it most certainly does. I'm not quite sure how to classify it, in terms of where the disorder manifests itself (psychological, physiological?), or if we're really just lumping several disorders under one umbrella (similar to Autism, as recent as 10 years ago). The true-to-life cases need to be observed and treated. The not-so-clear-cut cases need to be weeded out and given help. The parents who would rather medicate their children then answer "why"... well, I'll leave my opinion of them to your imagination.

In talking with some classmates and the instructor (who used to run private calls in Detroit circa 1985), as well as some DPD and DFD friends, it seems like we have a pretty messed up system here in "the D". I've never witnessed it for myself, as I moved out of Brightmoore in 1990, but how are things like in Detroit (proper) these days? What is the whole "feel" of the system, compared to the reputation it gets from the media? It seems like every other week, you have Charley LeDuff or Steve Walczeck or some other reporter banging on the door, accusing another official of corruption. Then, there's the budget problems. Then, there's the equipment problems. And then there's the citizens... I've heard horror stories about places like the Jefferson Projects and Cass Corridor. Are there "no fly zones" for EMS, as in the bad areas where you just don't go? Is it all just way overblown? Trying to scare the suburbanites into approving that millage so "we don't end up like Detroit"? Let's hear it, I know someone around here works/ has worked in Detroit before, so let's hear your side of things.

Here's a different line of work, but similar idea. I'm a pharmacy technician currently, while I'm in school for EMT-B (long run, EMTP). The pharmacy I work for is a "compounding" pharmacy, which means that we make every medicine from pure drug (usually powder form, sometimes liquid) and add it to the base to get whatever strength and amount is needed. Typically, our new patients need this process explained, as they can't grasp why CVS takes 15 minutes to "make" a prescription and it takes us hours, if not days. Flash forward to my time spent in our non-sterile lab. I get a call from the boss saying that a patient is unhappy with her Neuro Formula #10, which is Amitriptyline, Baclofen, Clonidine, Ketamine, Ketoprofen, Loperamide, Pentoxifylline, Lidocaine, and Tetracaine in a cream/ETOH base. It's a pain cream, and a seriously potent one at that. PT claims that the cream isn't working as good as last time and that it's lumpy. The boss says she needs to pick it up before we close, which is in 2 hours. I tell him that it's not doable. I said "I'll make the Rx, finish it after hours, box it up, and physically take it to the UPS store, and she'll get it tomorrow. She can use what she has now, and this way I can make sure it comes out perfect". My idea apparently was the most offensive and horrific plan devised, because the boss shoots back a "I can't believe you don't want to do your job. What is so difficult about this prescription that you can't get it done in 2 hours?". I just said "fine, I'll set aside everything else, I'll get it done, and she can be happy. Oh, by the way, can you have one of the other techs either come in to do all of the OTHER prescriptions I have to make, or start calling people telling them their Rx won't be done?". So into the lab. Measuring out all of the powders takes roughly 30-45 minutes, because we have a 1% margin of error (manufacturers have a 15% margin by law, this is our bosses "standard"). Get all the powders measured and mixed into the cream base. Get it topped off to the amount the PT requested. Set it on the EMP machine (think combination paint mixer/ blender) for 5 minutes. Next, it goes through the cream mill, which literally smooshes the product between three rollers to further blend and mix the product. Each run takes roughly 20 minutes, and this product needs 4 runs. So... roughly 1.5hrs later, it goes back on the EMP machine for a finishing run of 5 minutes. Just as I'm pulling it down off the EMP and slapping the label on the jar, my intercom beeps in. Boss: "Hey, are you done with the Neuro 10 yet?" Me: "Yeah, putting the label on it now. It'll be in the window in 2 minutes." Boss: "Oh, didn't anyone tell you?" Me: ".......I don't like where this is going." Boss: "The patient called. She can't make it up tonight. She'll be in tomorrow around 5pm." Sorry for the long story, I just wanted to give an accurate impression of what it takes to make some of this junk.

I hardly meant to insult or belittle the experiences of a parent who has been through everything, trying to help their child have a typical life. Please don't take what I said as that... what I'm stating is that in my line of work, I see far too many parents who would rather succumb to the diagnosis (or worse, pressure their doc into treating as such) when all the child really has is a lack of discipline. I'm not a parent yet, but I've volunteered many, many hours of my life with awareness and advocacy programs, as well as volunteering with local schools to help with clinics for special education teachers. I realize it's not the same. However, I've seen perfectly "normal" children absolutely stoned out of their minds on Ritalin because their parents think it's unusual for children to be hyper after you give them a 20oz of Mountain Dew. No exaggeration... If you actually weighed the options and tried other methods to help your child before resorting to medication, then congratulations; you're a FAR better parent than the majority of those that I dispense behavioral meds.

If you check out www.opmeddev.com they have a little bit of info regarding training, and if nothing else, you can spider out from there with web searches. The site probably isn't being updated much, because it's run by a Ranger Medic, and I think he's in the sand at the moment. But still, might give you some ideas.

I only read the first and last pages, so bear with me if I missed something. Autism is something that my pharmacy deals with in large numbers, and in varying degree. We have patients who are borderline ADHD through full-on Asperger's. One of the theories that is accepted by most of our prescribing doctors is that patients within the spectrum of Autism have physiological, as well as mental health issues. For example, we treat most of our patients with a combination of Methylcobalamin (B-12, helps with focus), Nystatin (treats Thrush and also abdominal yeast "overgrowth"), and Fluconazole (Diflucan, also helps normalize gut flora). However, our treatments aren't originated around the belief that the flora CAUSES Autism, only that due to the condition of the patient, the natural flora may be abnormal. The treatments actually help with the gut-wrenching, knotting, and screaming of most young Autistic children. I'm very skeptic when it comes to holistic and homeopathic treatments, but I've actually witnessed the effects of our medicine, from a mother who brought her kid in kicking and screaming the first time, to the consecutive visit where the child was alert, attentive, and actually cooperative. I know that some patients have their good and bad days, but this patient has been consistently improving over time. Then again, I also think the "diagnosis" of ADHD and Autism is thrown around WAY too much by doctors and parents who are just trying to make excuses for not being able to control their kids. I see Ritalin WAY too often for kids who I think are just... well, kids.

Eh, I doubt it. My perspective of the medical world has been pretty shallow so far. The closest I've come to a 'life and death' situation is when Mrs Patient forgot to call in her refill of Premarin and ran out of pills. Even then, it's more of a disaster for her husband who has to deal with her cranky ass. Nah, I'm here to learn mostly. One of the best pieces of advice I was given was to remember my "ups". Shut up and listen up. As far as I can tell, the class room will give me the knowledge I need for the basics, and the rest comes from learning from the "boots on the ground". I might interject my opinion from time to time, but I always fear coming across as a newbie, because I know things are WAY different. Anyways, thanks for the warm welcomes! (PS, I changed my profile info )

Hi there, don't go by the post count, but hear me out. Coming from a different aspect, I've been a pharmacy technician for 2 years. My current field doesn't have nearly the amount of responsibility or pressures as EMS, even at the Basic level, and yet we see the same sort of "pay your $10,000 and get your certification" schools. I have the pleasure of working under a manager (luckily not our RPh) who can't spell 3/4 of the drugs we dispense, and doesn't know what they're for, but can type 40-50 of them in an hour. In any case, the school I was just admitted to (not one of the prestigious academies of the world, but a local community college) has a fairly strict admissions policy for the EMS/ Fire program, on par with every nursing program I've seen. It requires a minimum test score on several competency tests, or can be substituted with previous college courses. It also requires a 3.0GPA minimum on all classes taken, or you're dropped. While this might not show a level of actual skill, it does show an ability to learn and comprehend. I can understand medical 'jargon' with the best of them, and even sling some stuff that might confuse even the most advanced Paramedic here... but I can't tell you what steps to take when someone has just entered cardiac arrest, because I haven't learned that yet. Short story made long; I'd like to see the entry requirements firmed up a bit, maybe to include some anatomy, logic, med math, med term, etc type courses to prep students. Maybe even a pre-test that includes basic medical concepts. However, giving me (or anyone) a copy of the NREMT test and basing the class on that... that just shows which of the newbies watches House/ ER more than the rest, and I'd rather not have MY learning based upon lucky guesses. Hope I didn't sounds like too much of a know-it-all smart-ass. I mean, I did have extra caffeine today.