RogueMedic

I have to agree with you Dust. I'm sticking with my STOMP. I have mine setup almost exactly like your. You've visited my unit so hyou know how we are structured. I have my guys pack to treat at least 15 soldiers Trauma and maybe 30-40 minor stuff so yeah we need alot of stuff. I just orderd 35 STGOMPs for Border Security, I can always order a half dozen more with the goodies that we like. I'll see what I can pull off. Take care, stay in the bunker when it is noisy out and Allah will keep you safe.

Outstanding pics. Border Security has nothing on this. Now I'm jealoous. It was great nto talk to you. Thank you for remembering my Birthday. Stay safe and May Allah bring you home soon.

Hey Dust. Just got back from Camp Bowie, located in Brownwood, Texas. Sorry I didn't get to to talk to you before I left. I'm headed to Austin to work on my Commander's Trainins Staff teaching Comabt Lifesaver courses to soldiers deploying for Border Security. Drop me a line when you get the chance.

OK. I'm raising my arm so that I can save my watch. Boy do they pile up high in Boston. That is absolutely absurd. Why waste hard earned skills by subjecting a person to work beneath their scope until a position opens up. It sickens me that there is a monopoly on EMS where cities should be moving towards progression instead of going backwards. That pay must be awesome. I seriously doubt it.

TXEMT has the right idea. It is always a good start to take Defensive Driver Course prior to attempting to maneuver an ambulance. My service requires as part of your orientation that you operate an ambulance for a full shift with an FTO before you are released to operate an ambulance as a driver. There are those services around the couontry that will allow you to work, but not allow you to drive. For insurance purposes and protection against any liability, it is best that you DON'T until you have spent some time learning the nuances of operting these massive machines, mainly because they are huge targets for those looking to score that big payday. There are those that DO NOT move when they see you coming, nor are they required to in non-emergent cases. I had an employee feel that because she was driving an ambulance, that it should be automatic that people move out of the way regardless. That is NOT the case. There is a HUGE responsibility anytime you are behind the wheel of any vehicle, so take your time. No need to be in a big hurry. Use this time to hone your skills in patient assessment and learn the roads, the proper way to operate an emergency vehicle and such. Much to learn there is for you young Jedi.

Medic Assistant eh? I saw this some years ago when I was a member of JeffSTAT back in Philadelphia. There was an effort to sneak the EMT-Intermediate into Pennsylvania as a "Paramedic Assistant Course" but was subsequently shot down by the powers that be. Since there are no Intermediates in PA that quickly went away, much like the Intermediate has become a dinosaur here in Texas. Not so long ago while working as a supervisor for a now defunct Ambulance Service, I had an ECA working for me and she also brought this to my attention that she was thinking of going to school for this "Medic Assistant" cert. That struck me funny seeing as though she puked on during a seizure episode after delivering a patient to her residence post dialysis. Mind you I did say that she was an ECA (Emergency Care Attendant), not an EMT-Basic. Needless to sya, she no longer works in EMS as far as I know of. Truth is I wouldn't allow her to put a band-aid on a Boy Scout. It's sad because up until that incident I felt that she had potential as was ready to recommend that our company pay for her EMT training. Good thing that I didn't because she has the worst case of "Road Rage" that I have ever seen. It might be nice tio have a "Paramedic Assistant", "Medic Assistant", "Intermediate" or even enhance or expand the scope of practice for EMT-Basics. But I am not about to open that discussion again.

Having trained on both sides of the house I can truly say that I do understand your problem in general of course. The only thing that I hope to add is not to devalue the good that you serve on the EMS side of the house. Don't worry about what someone says if you opt to take some personal time to re-evaluate your position. It does sound to me as though your entire department would benefit greatly from a little "couch time" of sorts. Have you considered being an instruictor for your local Fire Academy? It's not the same as being a on the "Bucket Brigade" but you would be ensuring that future "Hose Jockeys" do it right. I would also recommend some Skilss training or a refresher just to make sure that your skills do not wither away. All in all you have reacehd the proverbial fork in the road and the only person that can help you decide which direction to head is YOU. I hope that which ever road that you take, you find what it is you are really seeking; "Peace of Mind". Good Luck.

Less means more??????? HMMMMMMMMM. What person has an ax to grind with EMS personnel. It sounds like someone is rallying the natives in order to thin the EMS herd.

100% Yankee. I've been in Dallas for the last 6 years but I'm still Yankee to my heart. I'd kill for a good Philly Cheesesteak. Maybe I'll get some time soon to go back home for a visit.

When you straddle the fence, you eventually get splinters. Having said that, I agree that a certain time frame is appropriate for the EMT-B desiring to get their "P" should take as much time as necesary to fill out their forms, give more thought as to if this is what the want to do, work while going to school, and the time required to get through school. I'm sure that somewhere at the end of this rainbow there is a pot of gold. For some, it will be in the form of the coveted Paramedic Certification, for others it may very well be the realization that they are not cut out for this business or that being a Paramedic is NOT what they are cut out for. Any way that it goes should be based on the individual, not a policy or "Unwritten Law" that someone with only two brain cells functioning came up with. Those are usually the "Dinosaur" types that Dust and I have encountered when we were young snot nosed Basics, that said gloves were for "Sissies". It is high time that we abandoned the archaic way of looking at things and how we do things. I blinked and I'll be 40 in August. How did that happen, when just yesterday, I was putting my hand up and swearing into the Army. That's just my two cents.

You will not find anybody outside the bubble we live in unless they are Police, Fire, EMS, Military that could undeerstand even if they try. With the exception of those who have lost someone for standing in harm's way, it is very difficult for others to understand. Just remember why we do this.

Whew!!!!!! Been there, done that, got T-shirts. I know what this is like. It really bites. My advice if I may is no different from what has already been posted except that I would add that you may be accused of being selfish on your part. Your wife has embarked on a new experience for her that you have already been properly indoctrinated into long before her. This is her time to break in and make her bones so to speak. Remember what it was like when you first started? I submit that it is THREE times harder for her because of the sometimes not so covert prejudices regarding women in this business. I would also dare to interject that being married to you may have made the job even more appealing because you've been there. I've had to deal with it in the past to the extent that my wife(now EX) didn't like my spending 12 hours a day on a Bus with a Caucasian female as a partner. I even caught much grief when we planned days off for us to get together with my partner, her significant other and her children for the purpose to get to know the other. My wife accused my partner and I of creating a smoke screen to cover up a ficticious affair. Talk about your "Nut Job". You are treading very murky waters. Understanding and tolerance as well as communication are the hallmarks that will strengthen your bonds with your wife. As far as competing with her younger peers, why should you. This is not WWE, so there is no defending your title. Who the heck dares to disbute the title of "Husband"? I have long since done away with that type of stress because of who I partner with when I go to work. In fact, I refuse to deal with a woman who has those types of hangups. This is not the job for that. It has the potential to cause us to make very costly mistakes if we are distracted because of what our significant other may think or feel about who we work with. Do we not have bigger fish to fry these days?

In this business, it is very easy to be "touched" by the circumstances in which we find ourselves in dealing with those we are called upon to serve. In the end, someone's world is not such a nice place without them, and that saddens them and makes them cry. But who cries for us? We cry for each other and sometimes ourselves. I don't mean to sound callous, but it is ther nature of the beast we do battle with every shift we work. I've felt it; we all have and will continue to do so everyday the tones go off and we race out there to those tones. Allow me to add my shoulder if one of own needs it. I know it will be there should I need it. Sorry you had a shift go that way, but I'm glad that you chose this forum to vent, debrief, and let it out. Thank you for counting us worthy to share it with you.

Everyone, please join me in wishes DustDevil the very best of luck on his new assignment. Dust contacted me on Monday I believe and informed me that he has received his assignment to Iraq and will be departing very shortly. I firsty met Dust at a refresher course and he and I clicked instantly becauise we were two of the oldest in class, the most experienced in the class and because we are both military. Recently, Dust visited with Callthemedic and myself at our National Guard unit during during our Drill weekend and trained with us. The "ARROGANT BASTARDS" were most honored to have you as our guest and consider yourself welcomed anytime that you wish to join us again. Best of luck over there. Be safe, do the job and speedy return back to the world.

I am partial to the Blackhawk STOMP II. I bought one after a Noble Eagle II mission and I won't carry anything but that, unless they make a STOMP III that supercededs its predecessor. I bought mine when they were $300 and I have to say that it was money well spent. It has become the unofficial standard issue in my National Guard unit. It pretty much pays for itself, I have taken it skydiving with me, rappelling, etc... I love it!!!!!!!!!