From my EMS days

[Joshua]

I went digging through some old pictures recently and found this one that our service did for a photo shoot. I'm assuming this doesn't make me a model but it was neat to see. This one is from a "few" years back. Not saying that I am not that fit anymore, I just added more cushion to make sure I am adequately protected. I think it is part of the more relaxed lifestyle.



Here is one of my little man.

Hope someone else enjoyed these as much as I do.

[planovet]

Ahhhh, the EMS days. Waaaaay back in 1980 or so, I was a member of the Texas A&M Emergency Care Team. It was a volunteer organization that ran the campus ambulance out of the student health center. I was an ECA (Emergency Care Attendant) for 2 years and then an EMT for 6 years. I also worked for a private ambulance company outside of Houston on some weekends and holidays. Also, several of the members of the team (me included) were volunteer firefighters for Brazos County Precinct 4. Those were fun days. (I have a LOT more cushion now than back then )

[toypusher]

You two talking about EMS and extra cushion. I will tell you that some of the EMS folks around here that I have seen. No way do I want them responding to my emergency cause they have so much cushion that they have trouble walking, let alone handle a gurney!!

[Joshua]

I have seen many of those throughout my days. I have seen EMTs and Firefighters and even law enforcement officers that have a hard time walking let alone pushing a cot, pulling a charged line or chasing a bad guy. I hope this doesn't offend anyone because I have seen some that are really in shape also. Hope this doesn't upset any good guys or bad guys!

I think a lot of it is our "growing American" population. The largest patient I have ever transported could not fit in the back of the ambulance (he was able to walk and we encouraged him to). We had to remove all of hardware in the ambulance and placed him on a tarp on the floor and drove real slow and careful. The last time he was weighed he was 880 lbs.

Anywho, as long as the responders aren't that large, we still have a chance!

[toypusher]

...Anywho, as long as the responders aren't that large, we still have a chance!

That's my point. It is getting to where they are (well not really, but very heavy). There was a cop checking out my neighbor's house the other day (neighbor was on vacation) and he had trouble getting out of and back into his patrol car!! I can't belive that a police force would keep someone that out of shape on the force!!

Nuff said already, I think!! Sorry for the outburst!!

[Joshua]

It has caused a lot of these agencies to have yearly agility testing. Almost all and some part time fire departments have them. EMS is a little slow to jump on the bandwagon, but here in Topeka our Police and Sheriff departments have yearly agility testing along with their yearly firearm tests.

I think people are getting the hint. I recognize that I am about 15 lbs heavier than I was a couple of years ago. The difference is that I am not working my but off carry those heavy patients anymore. But I could still keep up with the newbies.

Maybe with the media pushing the "eat healthy" shows such as the Biggest Loser (I am in no way endorsing the show or NBC) can help us highly intelligent Americans to make smarter choices for themselves and their families. My wife is currently our food decision maker in our household. Other wise it would be brats, Mac n cheese and beer everynight. Welll not every night, have to save room for country fried stake and taters with homemade gravy too.

Ok, it is lunch time here and I am now hungry.

Be back in one hour!

[Mary K]

Well, regardless of cushion or no, I like to thank yall for the work you do / have done for saving and helping folks in trouble. I could never ever do it. I don't think I could handle the stress of someones life in my hands nor the blood. I panic when I have a paper cut.

Anywho, Thank you.

Mk

[Joshua]

Like most of us say, "its our job, its what we do". Part of the reason I "retired" early and now work for the state was the long hours and stress. Plus, normal work hours and a stable pay helps as well, as long as there is not a disaster in Kansas I work for the State in the Emergency Operations Center.

The life saving is second nature now. To me, the stressful ones are those that were still awake and very angry! I have been assaulted many times and have been shot at once. How many Paramedics have you heard of that had to wear a bullet proof vest to work? Unfortunately it is a growing problem for all responders in the USA.

But thank you for recognizing all of us. These jobs are usually thankless jobs, but when someone does thank us, it keeps us all going longer and is worth more than the paycheck any of us recieve.

[Mary K]

Your Welcome!!

Mk

[toypusher]

Yes, all of the emergency responders deserve alot more kudos than they ever get!! Thanks to all of them for doing a very hard job.

[Joshua]

Agreed..

[planovet]

Well, when I was an EMT and a firefighter in college, it wasn't for the money (volunteer = no pay) and it wasn't for the glory. I did it because I enjoyed it and I wanted to make a difference. When I got accepted into vet school, I left all that behind (or so I thought). Now I'm a reserve police officer and I still don't do it for the money (reserve = no pay) or the glory (there is rarely any glory in being a peace officer). Once again I do it because I enjoy it and I want to make a difference. My wife thinks I'm crazy and maybe I am.

Any way, try and say thank you when you can. A smile and a "Thanks" goes a long way.

[Joshua]

Again I say, "Agreed". I started as a true "ambulance driver"-don't ever call a responder that, they don't like it. However I had a CPR card and just drove. Well that got old quickly, so I took a basic EMT class for starters. I did this for nearly 2 years before I ever got paid. It interested me and I enjoyed all the encounters I had. I decided I wanted to do it as a job. When I had to move, the only work was at our Emergency Room and the occasional EMS run. As most do in that position you want education, so I went back to school for 2 years and became a Paramedic (another term used loosely) and decided to make it my career. Worked my way up to EMS Director, then a few years later (4 if I remember correctly). I "retired".

All in all I did it because I loved it. I was told to me that when I felt like I was not enjoying it anymore I should not do it, they were right. So I got out just in the nick of time. I miss it, but I am enjoying the quiet life.

I would also say that paid or not, we do it because we want to. Sometimes being paid was worse than when I did it for free. Giving of myself was such an easier thing to do then to be meagerly paid for what we were MADE to do.

[Jiminsav]

...Anywho, as long as the responders aren't that large, we still have a chance!

That's my point. It is getting to where they are (well not really, but very heavy). There was a cop checking out my neighbor's house the other day (neighbor was on vacation) and he had trouble getting out of and back into his patrol car!! I can't belive that a police force would keep someone that out of shape on the force!!

Nuff said already, I think!! Sorry for the outburst!!

Toypusher, i'm sure the cop wasn't that large a guy..but I bet he did have a 15 lbs bulletproof vest on that is stiffer then your granny's whalebone corset, and makes it hard to get in and out of the smaller cop cars these guys have to drive..not to mention the belt with cuffs, mace, tasers, and pistols.

[Joshua]

Not that I would disagree with you since I have worn a bullet proof vest a lot in my days (they are heavy!) But I will say that some respnders are pretty substantial in size, especially in rural areas or small towns.

Heavy, thin, male, female, volunteer or paid, no matter what, they are making the effort to make a difference in their community. Thank you so much to all of them for making the difference.