Recent content by pdibsie

A couple of things that you as an EMT should be thinking/ doing in these cases. First, if you are going to call out your partner on here for "****ing up" you should be willing to have a conversation with him, find out what he was thinking, and find out what the two of you could do in the future...

www.learntheheart.com

I have to agree with the above posts. Rather than just hoping you get through any physical tests, why not make a lifestyle change and be healthy? I am completely biased as I am a firefighter, but that is one aspect that *most* professional fire services seem to have a leg up on EMS-only...

I would probably become overly mad at the guy. I have little patience for people who endanger my life or others around me. It would take an extreme amount of discipline not to get physical with the guy.

Great sites listed above, excellent contribution

Lifting and moving patients is a part of EMS. You owe it to the people you work with, as well as your patients, to be able to lift and move your fair share. Granted you're not expected to be able to move 300 lb. patients on your own, but an average size adult should be able to be moved with...

As an B-IV in Colorado I disagree. I think it's a huge advantage for our system when we get an IV started while our medic is drawing up drugs or doing other things on their end. I can understand that for those who are not allowed to start IV's as basics it may seem a little crazy, but from...

Tough crowd... I work for a paid fire-based service. Love it.

Well played, Mountain.

Funny, I was thinking the exact same thing. We are EMT-B/IV aka EMT-B IV Certified. But I kinda like the '+'. Makes us sound superior.

I work for a fire dept., and 24 hour shifts are the norm. It's common when people call in sick to see guys pull 48 hrs., and if it happens to be their day off between shifts, they could end up with a 72 hr. shift. Frightening, esp. with our call volume, but it does happen. Good luck with...

I agree. I've noticed that some patients respond very well to me immediately, and some patients want a girl there with them. We switch patient care every time, but sometimes we will double up without hesitation because of the feeling we get from the patient. Oh, and I would have possibly...

This is why I like being an EMT with a FD. All medical calls are dispatched with an engine (or ladder) as well as an ALS ambulance. Two medics are on scene, one from engine, as well as 3 or 4 EMT-B firefighters. Seems like a lot, but we can immediately begin CPR while one medic places an...

22 y/o EMT-B in CO

This is one big reason I like working on the EMS division of a fire dept. The crew being relieved always gets up early and cleans the station and outside of vehicles very well. I make a point to pick up after myself when I'm getting off and we do a good job cleaning inside after calls, but...