Richard B the EMT

It is established already that teamed personnel, especially LEOs and EMSers, just due to the hours working together, spend more time together than married couples. Unfortunately, after some time, most of us note the colleages who get divorced, following infidelity on someone's part. The perfect couple? No longer married.They met on a volunteer ambulance service, and she went on to the municipal EMS. She had a baby by her work partner, following an emotional trauma of the male/female team being robbed at gunpoint, while on an assignment. When told his wife had been robbed at work, the husband was very supportive, but apparently, her work partner was more so. Result? A baby, and her second marraige. Both are remarried, her for now a third time, and neither are involved with EMS anymore. If either one looks, I have both of them friended on Facebook, but I usually don't mention one when I suspect the other might read any specific postings I make. To the above, I mention the work tours are 8 hour days, evenings, or overnights. We work 5 days, off 2 days, work another 5 days, then off 3 days. One week you're working with one of your two partners for 2 days, the other, 3 days, the next week with the first partner for 3 daqys, the second for 2 days. Confusing? Yes. PM me if an explanation is requested (via EMT City, otherwise, make sure EMT City is in the subject line).

Firemedic65, you now owe me for a few OTC pain pills, for the pain caused me falling off my chair laughing!

Don't know who I'm paraphrasing, but sometimes the biggest thing is simply being there. No show to appointments is not looking like they care about having you as a customer.

...But seriously, folks... While not saying you will not get hired, the lack of field experience will be a large hinderence. Most companies want people with the experience, but, in effect, tell you not to go near the water until AFTER you learn how to swim. That is a dumb statement, yet has a bunch of truth to it.. Good luck.

With apologies if you've mentioned that you are one, and I forgot it, something like this needs the input of an MD or DO as the Department Medical Director. I admit my own uncertanty if Chief Medical Officer qualifies, although one with the title can certanly provide significant input. There should be a committee consisting of the Department Medical Director, Chief Medical Officer, Chief of Department, all department senior chiefs, battalion chiefs, senior-most EMTs and Paramedics, union local presidents or their designees (if a union shop), and neighboring department's similar senior commanders, especially of they already have protocols in place. Check with any and all departments with which your department has mutual aid agreements.

You did note I said I've been with Lady J from 1988, and we're not married, or living together. Before Lady J, I was engaged to Debbie from Teaneck, NJ for 9 years (Platonic relationship). Lady J had been engaged to someone else before we started dating. Lady J and my relationship works for the two of us, but we freely admit it might not be for others.

Placed in the Non EMS Discussions, as it's not truly EMS, but I don't want any of my city-mates to be ripped off. What follows is the exact letter, allegedly from the Federal Breau of Investigation, without their emblem, and with all the misspellings, which make it obvious that it is not from the FBI (figure my tax dollars pay for their spell check programs). If you get similar, advise your service (AOL, Yahoo, whatever) that you got one of these scams, and hope they'll follow up on it.

Hawk Eye: You're the first SA new member in a long while on this site. Welcome. I do suggest you keep in mind, while there are some universal protocols, as mentioned just in this string, there will be others where, were I to do what you do, or you to do what I do, is going to be in violation of some kind of local ordinance. Just follow my "mantra" of following YOUR local protocols, as mine could be different. Protocols can differ by city, county/parrish, state/provence, or country, so keep that in mind when looking at suggested actions, even from me.

I soitenly dodn't see dat one comin'.

I've referred to my Lady J a lot on this site. Long story as to our history (will PM to those who ask, only), but we started dating when she was a "paper pusher" and I an EMT/Driver/Dispatcher at a local Volunteer Ambulance Corps, and also working full time at the municipal EMS. Under my influence, she became a "First Responder", decided it wasn't for her (also undergoing personality problems with the "ruling clicque" in charge at the VAC), and left the field, although she goes with me to EMS related meetings and the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association's "Pulse Check" Conventions. We're together from roughly December 1988. FYI, I'm in an EMS capacity for 37 years, and just retired after 25 years in paid municipal EMS employ.

Even in big cities. I know a few 30 year and retired NYPD cops who never fired their weapons, except as required at the Rodman's Neck Range.

Mia culpa. Actually, just trying to get the individual to think, without scolding. Guess I didn't succeed. PS, when writing to EMT City on my old Dell desktop, the spell check works on EMT City, however, it doesn't when I use my new Toshiba "Laptop". Will check and advise on that soon.

Someone is going to jump on co2rescue for spelling, just won't be me. However, you'll fit right in when you find yourself telling gory "war stories" in public restaurants without realizing the reactions of the rest of the populus within earshot, both LEO and EMS (Law Enforcement Officers, and Emergency Medical Services) tales from the streets. FYI, I have family living 70 miles to your north, in Grand Forks, ND.

A station I used to be at had no fuel pumps, so we'd fuel up at the Sanitation Department garage around the corner (both municipal agencies). Even though the overnight mechanic at the Sanitation garage never did more than toss us the keys to unlock the pumps, I was not the only tech to toss the man a box of gloves. When we'd have substantial snow, somehow, the mechanic always seemed to have a Sanitation front end loader clear the street in front of the EMS station, and sometimes clear the apron, from the street to the garage door of the station.

You might be a dude, but the cartoon panel I referred to is still a woman. No offence intended. FYI, my mom's mom retired as an NYC Board of Education assistant principal, mom and sister retired as BoE teachers, brother is actively an American History Professor (PhD) at the University of North Dakota. It could be said that I am trying to do some teaching here (heck, I pontificate all the time on EMT City).

There's a cartoon panel out there, showing the Devil talking with some of his Demons, pointing out a woman. The quotation reads, "We can't scare her, she taught in a public school". Downplay the "Adrenalin Junkie" aspect. Most EMS providers fire those who display that too much, as accompanying actions might open the agency up to litigation. Civilian medical flight Paramedics and Flight Nurses, as you're probably getting the idea, is a small group of accomplished personnel. I'm 37 years into the game, and I know I cannot qualify. I just know my limitations. Those who I have met, usually don't flaunt the fact, until and unless they run into EMS braggarts. "Ground Grippers" and "Flight Crews" know that they both need and can depend on each other. It's nice to think one can become a Medical Flight Crewperson, but it's kind of like the US Marine Corps' recruitment line, "The Few. The Proud".

First, the tongue in cheek: Frank Mundis, the shark boat captain from Montauk Point, on whom "Quint" in the first "Jaws" movie is reputedly based, had a passenger fall off the boat into waters almost swirling with sharks. Surprisingly, the sharks just circled, but left him alone. Seems the man was a lawyer, so the sharks extended a professional courtesy. As for reality, one lawyer might do something for another lawyer that could have been charged for, exclusive of "Pro Bono" work. An EMS service that normally charges for their services might not charge, or charge a reduced rate, if they transport one of their own members (such courtesy was extended to me, when my dad was being transported, over 2 decades ago). An ER nurse, without registering an EMSer in the ER, might review the EMSer's "Tine" test, no charge. After a VAC treated and transported a member of one of the FD's Rescue Company members, the courtesy extended was, for years afterwards, the Rescue Company would refill and recharge the VAC's D and E O2 tanks, from their cascade system. Depending on both the individual LEO, or the department they work for, speeding a bit over the limit might get a professional courtesy of being scolded by the LEO, instead of getting ticketed. DO NOT expect such courtesy from the majority of State Police in the United States, or the Lynbrook (Nassau County, NY) cops, who I heard being badmouthed by the truckers on the Citizen's Band radio, on a drive from New York City to Grand Forks, North Dakota. Wow, the truckers hate the Lynbrook PD! Sometimes, the courtesy is Fire Fighters going to LEO Departmental Funerals, or LEOs to the Fire Fighter's. Just being there is the courtesy. One time, a VAC EMT was killed , Line of Duty. As both courtesy, and a sign of respect, when the funeral cortege passed the local FDNY "house", the fire apparatus was pulled out onto the apron in front, and the Fire Fighters lined up in front of the pieces, with their dress uniform hats on, holding salute until we had passed. I was later told that doing that for a non Fire Fighter was an extreme honor extended.

None that I am aware of. FYI: The Beatles recorded "Sugar Sugar" some years prior, but I didn't find this out until some years after the "Archies" made their recording.

Told ya I'd get the information. Just got my tickets today. Nassau County Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Nassau County (Long Island) New York, for "Long Island's Fire, Rescue & EMS MEGA SHOW 2011", Saturday and Sunday, February 26 and 27, 2011, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Go to Exit 4 of the Meadowbrook Parkway (Hempstead Turnpike). Tickets will be $13.50 each, per day, plus additional cost for the parking field. They have, as I already mentioned, Engines, Ladder, Rescue, Airport Crash Rescue, Ambulance, and even mobile Command Post vehicles, as well as the equipment to put in them, and dress your troops in, when they use them. I almost forgot: There is usually a competition for vehicle dismemberment with hydrolic cutter/spreader tools, or should I say "Patient Disentanglement and Extrication". As of this point, I don't know which day I'm going, but I'm going! Perhaps I'll see a few of my EMT City buddies I've never eyeballed before, at the show. If the batteries hold out, Lady J and I will be on General Mobile Radio Service/Family Radio Service Channel 6, privacy code 3. (For more information, go to www.liproductions.net . I am not one of their employees)

You're going to find that most volunteer squads/companies/corps/agencies will ask you to spend a period of time volunteering with them, before they'll sponsor anyone for a seat in an EMT class, and unfortunately, it is with reason. Too many times in the past, someone gets into a partially or fully funded class, but on completion, when asked about that individual going onto the duty roster, the individual says, "Who? What volly organization?" They get the training on someone else's coin, and then don't pay it either back or forward. After many volly groups got burned like this, they have potential members give time first, sponsorship later. If you go this way, first, earn your spurs as an EMT, then, if the department takes you in for the specialty, go for the boat rescue. As for the military, you'll go where they send you, and go military medical if THEY want you to go military medical. Have an ex girlfriend, was a Candy Striper, a NYS EMT, and even was a Combat Medic in the IDF (Israeli Defense Force) during the 1973 War, but when she joined the US Navy, they made her (Drum roll and dramatic pause) a SIGNALMAN!

Nearest I can get to this, is, a few years ago, a number of Army "Medics" and Navy "Corpsmen" in training did a rotation of several tours where they rode as JAFOs on several BLS units and tours from my station. Approved by FDNY HQ, with all prior applications adhered to. FYI, the term JAFO? From the Roy Scheider movie, "Blue Thunder", and, cleaned up for our genteel audience, translates to "Just Another Frustrated Observer".

Hi, back atcha, from Rockaway Beach, NYC, NY.

Let me first say that I have only taken one online EMS related class, from the CSX Corp, a free "interactive railroad safety training for first responders" (www.csxsafe.com). I also took a New York State Department of Motor Vehicles accepted "Defensive Driving" online class, which reduced my car insurance payments. Might I suggest, before making the investment in any on line Continuing Medical Education (CME) class, that the training credits offered are accepted by your local, state or provence, or national EMS authorities, i e the Department of Health,

Annie, perhaps this is one of those instances where BLS and ALS follow the same rule of thumb: When in doubt, treat for the worst, and hope for the best, as one can never be in trouble for over treating, but can be in trouble for under treating. (Just as a reminder, I am a semiretired BLS person)

Any 9-1-1 system that uses any variant of the "send someone to verify need for an ambulance" method, to me, sounds like they need to update and upgrade their system, and join the 21st Century. I have always been a believer in what I was always told, that it is always easier to stop a response, than to get it going in the first place.