95-Henry

I nearly got kicked out of NIMS class when they started referring to 'task forces' and 'strike teams'. Ooooh, ooooh, I want to be part of "Task Force Autobots"! Once you find something funny, its hard not to laugh. If you about got kicked out then your instructor needs to work on classroom tactics. Not to discredit them, but as an instructor, I use humor as much as possible when hosting ics 100, 200 etc. Mainly because everybody is right, IT'S VERY DRY AND BORING. But in defense of ics and nims, the concept really works and not only for extremely large incidents but for small events as well. Good luck to all and dont give the instructors too much crap. LOL

Definitely MY BAD for using the term Paragod! I apologize to all I offended. However, I stand by my opinion that EMT-I's are a necessary and valuable asset to any service. Also I am offended by being called a "basic with skills". As far as me being a supervisor over paramedics, our system is not messed up. It goes by seniority, experience, organizational skills and the ability to act under pressure. The paramedics that work "with" me have no problem with it. Unlike some services, we work well together. We all know what needs to be done and we get it done. There is no arguring, long discussions or second guessing! It just gets done and that's what counts. Again I APOLOGIZE TO ALL I OFFENDED!!!!!!!!!!

As an experienced EMT-I, the best advice I can give is "Don't listen to the paragods (oops i mean paramedics). You do what you feel is right for you. Don't get me wrong, I respect those that are at the paramedic level as long as they don't let it go to their head and they remember that "it all starts with the basics". I work full time for a paid service as a shift supervisor. I have 2 paramedics who work under me and they are very good people, and very competant at what they do but as an Intermediate I can do every thing they can do except push narcs and I didn't have to spend $10,000.00 on training. Yes I would like to become a paramedic but it is not feasable for me to do it at this time. Good Luck