Recent content by FDNYRescueMedic

I like the old reality shows back in the "eighties!" I remember watching Emergency when I was a kid on Friday nights. I knew then that I wanted be be a medic. The good old days!:rolleyes:

The kvo program is still there. We work 8 hr tours but can be mandated for another 8.

There's a lot of overtime. Folks are always calling out sick, getting injured or taking a few mental health days.;)

You go to the Academy at Ft. Totten, Queens and it's like an EMT refresher to include Haz Mat operations level training, EVOC how to handle an MCI, FDNY-EMS operation guide to name a few.

TOP stands for Training Orientation Program. If there is a P before top it's for medics only otherwise TOP is for EMT's. Eg. TOP-09-04 is the 4th top program in the year 2009.

I was at the academy on Tuesday of this week for training. Right now there is a Top class that just started. I asked some of the instructors and they have no clue as to when the next class is after this one. It might take six months or so to be called. If I hear anything else I'll post it on here.

We have two partners so when one is off the other two are on. For the most part there is always one that you prefer working with and one you want to throw out of the bus while responding code 3! I lucked out and work with two decent guys.

From that chart you can see how many units come out of the Lenox Hill #11. Upper east side and very afluent! Thanks brother for posting that chart.;)

We all know Howie, I had him as a captain in Harlem and morale was not the greatest. I agree with the CFR engines but they are getting better since a lot of them worked EMS at one time or another and I don't cancel them until they come upstairs and I know they are not needed for CPR or gaining...

FDNY-EMS is slowly taking over much of the city but remember that with all the cut backs it will be a long road. We have a city with over 8 million people and a call volume of 3k to 4k a day! EMS in this city provides a service to many residents that are below the poverty level with many not...

Back in the early 90's it took them about one year to call me. Back then we belonged to Health and Hospitals. I go back to work on Monday, I'll call some instructors I know and see when the next TOP class go's in.

Lets face it, EMS is stressful and unfortunately some turn to excessive drinking or recreational drug use to self-medicate and escape. I'm a firm believer in hobbies, something to get your mind off EMS for a while. Me for example loves to play the guitar. It helps me relax after a stressful day...

In the NYC 911 system a broken arm will come in as a priority 5 call, non-critical injury and automatically dispatched as a BLS call. When the EMT's arrive and start treating the pt. they can request ALS response for pain management.

Be patient brothers, they just graduated two large Top classes. I'm sure you'll be at Ft. Totten doing a mile run in the cold sooner than you think.

I know it's kind of late to respond since you posted this last month but here it is. I've been a VFW member for several years (Gulf War vet) and it's a good orginization. Try and make some monthly meetings and meet some of the older vets, they are great guys. Other vets to talk about things you...