One of the state's first EMTs retiring

[CBEMT]

Fall River —

Robert Turgeon was one of the first in Massachusetts to be trained as an emergency medical technician when in 1974 he completed a course led by then-Fire Chief Louis Shea. During a 24-year career on the streets of Fall River, he helped treat wounds at the scene or give aid to trauma patients hundreds of times.

Though he retired Friday as director of the emergency medical services division, the 59-year-old says he’ll have a hard time being away from a career he first wanted as a kid. His 34-year tenure with the city has ended, but he may return to the field soon in a supervisory role with a private emergency service company.

http://www.heraldnews.com/news/local_news/...t-EMTs-retiring

Fall River is sort of an interesting system. Fall River Fire "owns" them, but they are single-role, non-FF providers wearing (I think) different uniforms and responding without fire apparatus (unless the call comes in as a cardiac arrest, interstate highway accident, or requested by EMS onscene). They are housed in the fire stations, go in with the ffs on meals, etc. VERY unusual for a fire-based service, they have a smattering of part-time paramedics to help fill the shifts, and use private ambulances for backup. I have a friend working for them. A very progressive-minded paramedic, he's happy with the quality of care they are providing in Fall River.

[spenac]

OOPs the editor made mistake. Should be 34 years not 24.

[Dustdevil]

OOPs the editor made mistake. Should be 34 years not 24.

Yeah, I locked up after that sentence, trying to figure out where the problem was. I wasn't sure if he left off a decade, or if the guy's just been in an office for the last ten years instead of on the streets.

[spenac]

Yeah, I locked up after that sentence, trying to figure out where the problem was. I wasn't sure if he left off a decade, or if the guy's just been in an office for the last ten years instead of on the streets.

Maybe thats it. Not sure. Later it does say 34. Confusing.