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  1. BillThompson

    Adding suffix to your name

    Yes, because those are remotely similar. People should be proud of their accomplishments. If a person putting a few letters behind their name is really that much of a problem for you I think the issue may lie with you and not the letters.
  2. BillThompson

    Are Private ambulance really EMS?

    If that's what you choose to make of it, then that's on you. But, patient contact is more than just starting IVs, etc. An EMS skillset involves taking vitals, visual/verbal/physical assessment, and simple patient interaction. These patients go in the back of an ambulance because that is the help...
  3. BillThompson

    Are Private ambulance really EMS?

    Yes, part of the problem is when people start thinking that "transports" are not part of EMS. Transport services still provide essential services for some, in both non-emergent and emergent situations. You are practicing an EMS skillset, and are an EMS professional. When you start thinking they...
  4. BillThompson

    Adding suffix to your name

    Every time. I earned it, it's a source of pride, and there's no reason not to be proud of what I have accomplished and the title I have earned.
  5. BillThompson

    Intubating in Illinois (specifically Chicago)

    Nah, they don't do that now, and I';m fairly certain that ever since they started tubing they have been doing it based on their own judgment. Thanks for the info though, I was pretty sure the needing doctors in the field to intubate thing was wrong.
  6. BillThompson

    Intubating in Illinois (specifically Chicago)

    Was watching something with the wife the other day from Chicago in the mid-1990s and they made reference to needing a doctor to intubate a patient in the field. When exactly did medics start intubating in the field in the Chicago area, cause honestly I feel like they were already doing it in the...
  7. BillThompson

    IFT BLS EMT

    To be honest, it depends on how you handle yourself. I work on a one-on-one BLS/ALS rig, and when it's my call I'm the one in charge. I'll ask the nurses questions, and if they don't want to answer I keep asking until they do answer. I'll never fall in line with the private taxi mentality...
  8. BillThompson

    Illinois Medic's

    I live in the area, work for a 911 service and a private ambulance in the area. There are a few 911 services in the area that hire, but RFD proper only does hiring's every few years and they have a pretty extensive list. That leaves you with services in the surrounding areas that are mainly paid...
  9. BillThompson

    How many hours / shifts do you work a week?

    Work for two squads; work set 24s on Sunday, Tuesday, and Thursday, and Friday.
  10. BillThompson

    Welcome Rural Metro!

    Internationally yes, but are they bigger in the States yet?
  11. BillThompson

    Welcome Rural Metro!

    Falck, and Superior in the Midwest, though they are dwarfed by both R/M and AMR. Always thought Care was decent sized, but I'm not sure.
  12. BillThompson

    Best Private To Work For In Chicago???

    1) $11 an hour. 2) Yes, though the written test is a small 20 question affair and the practical is actually just a physical lifting test. 3) Nope, though it depends on what system/station you end up in. There are some system/stations that are Medic/Basic. I believe the Rockford station is the...
  13. BillThompson

    Best Private To Work For In Chicago???

    In terms of pay and benefits, as well as available/flexible hours, the answer is Superior hands down. They pay the most of any private, offer lots of chances for OT, have a decent insurance package, have flexible scheduling options from full time all the way down to PRN. Plus, no more ties as of...
  14. BillThompson

    How are EMT-Basics treated in your region?

    Factually incorrect. I've passed a fit test and had a perfect mask seal with a mustache, goatee, even a small beard. In no way does an EMS worker being unshaven make a comment on someone's professionalism.
  15. BillThompson

    Help with a department name: MVFPD Illinois

    Hadn't thought of this, should have though as there were three old Chicago Fire Department ambulances in the parade that were clearly bought and refurbished by a private citizen. This is definitely a possibility. I hadn't thought of the town of Marseilles, which is in the area and did use to...
  16. BillThompson

    Help with a department name: MVFPD Illinois

    Was wondering if there was anyone on here from around the Ogle/Boone/Winnebago/Lee/Dekalb/Lasalle County areas in Illinois? We were at the Kirkland 4th of July parade today, like every year, and this year there was an old fire truck that only had the designation MVFPD on it. I know just about...
  17. BillThompson

    Oregon Employment

    Almost. I have just about enough credits for an Associates at my old Community College. However, since my paramedic program is not through them I have to take my license, once I get it, to them and they convert the license into the equivalent credits for a small fee and I get my Associate.
  18. BillThompson

    Oregon Employment

    Medic class is all I need for an Associate. After I complete the program I just need to bring my license in and they convert it to however many credits the course is worth and I'll have my Associate.
  19. BillThompson

    Oregon Employment

    Wife and I have had in in our heads for a while now that we'd love to move out to Oregon; preferably live somewhere secluded on a farm house where we don't have a neighbor for five miles. Due to our politics, love of nature, and general nature we zoned in on Oregon. Move wouldn't happen, if it...
  20. BillThompson

    Medic with Motion Sickness

    I have really bad motion sickness. Never correlated it with being in the back of the ambulance, and the first time I was in the back of the ambulance I ended up getting very, very sick. I ended up using the wrist bands, taking Dramamine before every shift, and chewing peppermint gum for every...
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