Old Folks in EMS

[LACoFD Medic 3]

Let me introduce myself. My name is Gene McCarthy. I retired from the Los Angeles County Fire Captain. I worked as a field paramedic from 1975 to 1988 and then as one of three Paramedic Coordinators specializing in medical malpractice issues.  I was certified (before licensure) and attended Paramedic Training at Harbor UCLA Hospital (seen on Emergency as Harbor Hospital) in 1974. I was fortunate to have served in the early years of EMS and met many pioneers in the field including: Walter Graff, MD (Daniel Freeman Paramedic School in Inglewood, CA), Dr. Michael Criley, Peter Basket, MD from Great Britain, Arthur Pantridge MD from Belfast, Ireland, Ronald Stewart, MD, Eugene Nagel, MD from Dade County FL, James O. Page (Founder of JEMS), the first six paramedics in Los Angeles County (1972) before the Wadsworth-Townsend ACT was passed, and so many many others. I am now 76 years of age and living in Sedona, Arizona. I am blessed in more ways than I can count to have served with so many wonderful doctors, nurses, EMTs and Paramedics. I pray that each of you reading this have a rewarding career. God Speed!  Gene McCarthy