Richard B the EMT

Wendy, does your EMT-B/EMT-P home state allow "Challenge" refresher tests? If I understand the concept, you take a state cert test, determine where your classroom weaknesses are (You? Classroom weaknesses? HA!), and only take the classes for the areas of weakness. Then, you take the state cert test again, but for all effects and purposes, the second test is the one that counts. Equate it to the college entry PSAT and SAT.

While I am unable to trace the tale's accuracy, I keep hearing of the guy who passed a routine EKG 12 lead test, as a part of his annual physical, and died of Sudden Cardiac Arrest in the parking lot on the way back to his car. Who is to say?

While not a probie, I did similar when FD was trying to remove the hinge pin for a kid locked himself in the bathroom. There's a hole in the doorknob, and it will open the lock when you put the "awl" blade of a Leatherman into it, and press gently. Just amazing folks is just a sideline of mine. Then, there was the guy got locked into the library. Security gate kept us all too far back to read the emergency contact number, but, I had my telescopic device (monocular) in my pocket, and read the number with no difficulty. Cops from the 101 Precinct were in awe!

I was already retired when the Mayor of NYC ordered the level A evacuation, and all levels, A, B and C, of the Rockaway Peninsula last August. I'd cleared with an aunt for relocation of myself, Momma B, Lady J (the girlfriend), and her brother, but live in a level C section, so the full evac came as a surprise. When I was still working, I worked 2 hurricanes, and the 1993 "Nor'easter" that flooded what would become my EMS station. In the '93 storm, they relocated the station's vehicles and equipment, but were not allowed time to move their POVs a mere block away to higher ground, resulting in at least 7 water destroyed POVs. The old station was almost at water's edge on Jamaica Bay. Momma B, Lady J and her brother, mother and father basically sheltered in place, at home, for those storms. Just as a mention, the Hurricane and coastal evac in NYC happened barely a week aftger we were rocked by the "DC Earthquake".

I ain't dat smart, and I figgered it out, youze guyz.

Different circumstances, but I've had my cert expire 3 times over my 38 year career. All were related to injury or illness interfering with my either taking the refresher on time, or just the State Refresher tests. In all 3 cases, I was able to retake the classes and tests within the "Grace Period", so my Tech "Cert" number remains unchanged from first issue in 1974.

Also mentioning, on the EMS station, the firehouse, or the police station, of the deceased personnel, they also put up those mourning fans, and the flag lowered to half staff. As I keep mixing up the Greek with the Roman Gods, we could both be correct. They had different names for the same gods.

FDNY EMS, even when we were still NYC HHC EMS (Health and Hospitals Corporation), uses an ambulance with black and purple Fan drapes, as shown in this link ( http://www.flagandbanner.com/Products/DFANMOURN36.asp ) covering the corners of the ambulance "box" (type 1), and the grille. At least 6 co-workers from the deceased member's station form lines to the sides of the "box", and a Captain or Chief walks ahead of the ambulance carrying a helmet at chest level. Unfortunately, it looks a lot better than my discription. Now that FDNY EMS has it's own Pipes and Drums ( http://fdnyemspipesanddrums.com/index.htm ) they do parade, shows, and funerals, where the FDNY Emerald Society (fire fighters) had been shunning us. (The drum major shown saluting is another one of my past partners. I was with him the day they got permission to call themselves the FDNY EMS Pipes and Drums).

Just me being trechnical, but the staff Mr Asclepius uses has 2 snakes, the SoL has only one. Check me on the legend: Asclepius threw his staff between 2 snakes that were fighting, and they both crawled around it in the pattern which we now are so familier?

Usage of the "Q" word. If a tour is quiet, and you say "the tour is quiet", suddenly, it won't be. Quiet is so fragile, it shatters on hearing it's name. It also offends the "EMS Gods" The only exception to this is, when a rookie craves for action, saying "It's too quiet", to create additional action, for their unit, it will usually remain quiet. This is because the "EMS Gods" have been offended Never say "It's been a long time since we had a (insert name of major incident call-type)." It results in the next call being of that call-type. I, personally, had 3 of a call type in a row.

Henry and Stapleton? What color(s) were the book covers? I may have used either or both, a black and a dark blue book, over the years, but had to return them at the end of the refresher classes.

Kiwi, are you telling me you cannot reapply for an upcoming class sometime in the near future?

Pipes? For some reason, I am mentally picturing a naval Boson's Whistle, delivering an alert signal like Uhura calling Captain Kirk to the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.

Believe it or not, it took me 8 years of trying, before I was accepted to the NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation EMS. Although it may take longer than your personal calendar originally intended, keep at it, and persevere.

At a recent public hearing concerning the closing of a hospital serving an isolated area, one of the commentators yelling at the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health suggested Helicopter EMS be expanded. I was unable to speak with that individual privately, following the hearing. We in EMT City are also a vocal bunch. This is one of 2 parallel strings on HEMS, this one for Con on the topic, the other will be for Pro. Comment away, folks!

At a recent public hearing concerning the closing of a hospital serving an isolated area, one of the commentators yelling at the Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health suggested Helicopter EMS be expanded. I was unable to speak with that individual privately, following the hearing. We in EMT City are also a vocal bunch. This is one of 2 parallel strings on HEMS, this one for Pro on the topic, the other will be for Con. Comment away, folks!

I think I caused this Press release, after contacting the Congressman after reading his Press release on National Police Week.

Even I have posted some occasional BS, but in the postings, I indicated that it was intended BS, to get a laugh, or try to defuse an obvious tense situation. I also know of at least 2 persons banned, one for blatently displayed animosity towards all, and another for attacking me specifically. While there are folks here who have been in the EMS systems longer than me, are smarter than me, or simply been here in EMT City longer than me, so many here actually came to my defense against that mother-stabbing father rapist (thanks for the phrase, Arlo!).

Scary for the helo crew, and probably also for the Military pilots.

I know there are several former NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation EMS personnel, as well as past and present FDNY EMS Command personnel, on this site. I also know I'm probably going to meet at least one member of the "City" at the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association Convention, known as "Pulse Check", in October, at the Crown Plaza in Suffrin (spelling?) NY, but I'm not going to give up the name, until I clear it with him. I've been a "fair to middlin'" EMT for 38 years. For all I know, some who actually know me might deny they do, from somewhere along that time. Dumb story that ties in, here. I mentioned to a female NYC HHC EMS co-worker, in total innocence, she looked like someone from my Volunteer Ambulance Corps. She became upset with me, actually disrupting the Emergency Medical Dispatch center, as she threatened me with sexual harassment charges. I actually requested an audience with both my Chief, union rep, and the union president, in my own defense, as it was interfering with my work at the EMD. She never filed charges. After a few harrowing weeks on my part, she went on maternity leave, and it was then I was told she not only looked like my former VAC colleague, she WAS my former VAC colleague! (With no comment on that episode, and not using her real name, SHE requested being "Friended" on Facebook. I accepted it, but don't converse with her.. I don't know why she did that, or why I did that)

Indeed!

djdudley may just be trying to avoid copyright infringement, by mentioning where he got the item, even with no direct permission to reprint. Remember, was it not that long ago, EMT City was sued for alleged copyyright infringement? Then, there is the story of a 3 year old looking at her first pregnant woman. She asked the woman if she loved the baby, then almost 9 months into gestation. On hearing the answer, "Yes", asked the pregnant woman, "Then why did you swallow him?"

Just mentioning, a junior member of my VAC was offered the chance to "Ride", under the direct supervision of the EMT in Charge of the tour (here referred to as the "Crew Chief"). She declined the honor, much to the disappointment of much of the members, and the entire elected board of officers, but had good reason: SHE felt that she was not mature enough for that additional responsibility. Juniors, aged 14 to 18, usually assisted in fund-raising, restocking, cleaning both the office, and the ambulance's exterior, paper-pushing, and dispatch, just so you know. She is now a Paramedic Lieutenant in the FDNY EMS. While still a Paramedic, she transported ME to the hospital the last time I suffered an active duty Line Of Duty Injury, which ultimately resulted in my medical retirement.

If all he wants to do is be a "joiner", then he's got to go. Wearing a uniform, alone, is not performing within the group. Pull the boy aside, explain that to belong requires certain obligations, such as, presumably, required hours per month (week?) needed of training or crew hours pulled. If needed, talk with the boy's family, see if they can help him make your requirements We had a member of my VAC who never met the hours in 6 month requirement of the VAC, due to his job as a National Park Service Police Sargent, preventing him, for 2 years, from becoming a "full" member in good standing. We actually took a special vote to make him, in the specific wording, a "full and active member, just not in good standing."

Best reread the manual. That red button activates the Go Go Gadget Helicopter.