Over 16,534,000 people are on fubar.
What are you waiting for?
So many posts go "Today, I was sleeping with my best friend's bf when she caught us. I now no longer have a best friend or a partner. FML."
How about we write it like this instead:
"Today, I was being a stupid skank, got caught, and then got what I deserved. FML."
I mean seriously so many of the stories are "Today, I <Insert completely retarted shit that a 2nd grader would know was wrong> and then <got caught, backfired, whatever>. FML."
Seriously? Some of them I understand completely, fucked up shit happens sometimes that isn't your fault or that your average person wouldn't have forseen (getting laid off the same day your dog dies, for example), but so many stories on there are "well no shit Sherlock" moments.
Anyway, off to lunch... eventually... I think lol. Still waiting for my friend. He's a great guy and one of my best friends but Jesus his sense of time is the worst on the planet.
Actually found more constructive things to be doing... I must be slipping :). Anyway, it's been a hectic few days/nights. Learned a lot about myself and others. Looking forward to giving one of my best friends his late Christmas gift tomorrow (it just arrived today, rush processing my ass). Got Rock Band 2 complete so me, him, and his gf can all play at the same time (he's getting a PS3). Anyway, I also learned not to do too many "backdraft" shots at the bar... yeah, wasn't pretty lol. Anyway, later all!
Disclaimer: all of this is personal opinion. Due to the cover-your-ass nature of today's society, professionally I have to say that if there's any doubt in your mind, call 911 immediately. That way, if you don't call and something bad happens, you can't blame me because I told you to call. Also, most of this applies to the units in my jurisdiction and may vary based on where you live. Most of this information applies only to the United States. However, IN MY PERSONAL OPINION:
One of the most common questions I'm asked is why fire trucks respond to calls for medics, and why ambulances respond to calls for fires. Simply put, most of us in the fire department are cross trained. A firefighter is also an EMT or Paramedic, and visa versa. They also usually carry some similar equipment. Our fire trucks carry a full compliment of EMS equipment, and our ambulances carry turnout gear (firefighting gear), some SCBA packs (air bottles, masks, etc), and some hand tools (fireman's axe, for example). If you're having a heart attack and 911 dispatch knows a fire truck is closer than the nearest available ambulance, the fire engine can arrive and provide care that much quicker (it's called being a "first responder"), and in many cases have the patient at least partially ready for transport by the time the ambulance arrives.
Terminology varies, but in general there is a difference between an EMT and a Paramedic. The National Registry of EMT's, (NREMT) recognizes approx 5 levels of care: FR, EMT-B, EMT-I/85, EMT-I/99, and EMT-P. First Responder is the basic life saving skills needed (CPR, spinal stabliziation, etc.) Training is approx 60 hours. Most police officers are trained to this level. Emergency Medical Technician - Basic is the minimum standard in most fire departments. It is usually between 120-160 hours of training, and includes basic drug administration through non-invasive means. Some are trained to give IVs, but no IV medications.
EMT-I/85 is the first level of ALS care available. It allows IVs and more drugs than and EMT-B, as well as more invasive skills. An EMT-I/99 is an even higher level, allowing more drugs and skills. An EMT-P is the highest level available, involving in some cases surgical skills.
EMT-B are usually referred to as EMT's, EMT-I's are usually referred to as "medics", and EMT-P's are usually referred to as "Paramedics". In some countries like Canada all responders are referred to as "paramedics", regardless of skill level.
Keep in mind that one of the most dangerous parts of our job is responding to calls. While a lot of drivers are responsible and get out of the way of emergency vehicles, some panic and do all sorts of crazy things (such as slamming on the brakes). When you call 911 screaming bloody murder "Oh my God! My baby! She's bleeding! There's blood everywhere! HELP!!!!!!", we respond differently than if someone calls and calmly says "I think my daughter hit her head... I think she's ok, there's a bit of bleeding that's pretty much stopped, but I'd like her checked out by the paramedics." Risk a little to save a little, risk a lot to save a lot, and risk nothing to save what is already gone. Dispatch in our area has a list they go down; this medical condition gets an ambulance, this condition gets an ambulance, engine, and supervisor, etc. Being calm and clearly stating what you need ensures you get what you need; not less or more.
As far as needing to call 911, when in doubt call us. Thats what we're here for. But think of this: if you call 911 for a papercut and your neighbor next door is having a heart attack and a farther away unit has to respond because we're busy giving you a bandaid, is that really in the best interests of the community? You'd be amazed the number of calls we get for people who could have safely gone by taxicab. I've run papercuts, nosebleeds, a runny nose, etc. To you (especially if you're a parent calling for a child) it might seem like an emergency at the time, but looking back was it really? To put it in perspective, think of it this way: if you knew we'd charge you (say, oh, $1000) for showing up, would you still call? Don't get me wrong, if you're having a heart attack or a stroke or think you might be having one please call, but if you're simply constipated and haven't pooped in two weeks, call a taxi cab (yes I've run that too).
I'll post more if there's interest. Thanks for reading, please rate/comment.
PS: Got a fire, got to run!
Doing everything but studying... cleaning, snow shoveling, etc. Yes, some of it needed to get done, but why can't I seem to study before 9pm??? I can hit the books like no other at night time, but day time is always hard. Too much going on I guess... anyway, wish me luck!
And yes, this site is the biggest distraction so far lol.
About to go have Christmas dinner with the fam. So glad I decided not to go to the firehouse and spend it with my family instead. I've done enough that I don't feel bad staying home; I've spent enough holidays, birthdays, etc. at the firehouse that some of the younger guys can take a turn doing it. Merry Christmas everyone!
Every time I start getting my sleep schedule back on track, something happens to mess it up. <sigh>. Oh well, that's my lot in life. Maybe one of these days I'll get a "regular" job, but for now I'm enjoying life too much to do anything else. I'll just have to learn to live with the odd hours. Ciao!
First full day not on the fire truck or ambulance. I needed a break. Damn I was getting burned out. Ended up missing a shooting, but I've run enough I'm not too broken up about it. There will always be more. Everyone be safe out there!
Ok, so I ended up riding two dif medic units, 2 dig engines, the utility, and the tanker. All in 72 hours. Jeezus. I'm going to sleep for a day straight to recover. To top it off before I could leave the firehouse I had to dig my car out with a snow shovel.
Kinda wonder wtf is wrong with people sometimes... stabbings, OD's, assaults, suicides... after being snowed in for two days this is what people do with their time? Dumbasses. At least it keeps me in a job.
Snowing here pretty bad... only the second snow of the year. People must have short term memories and forget all the wrecks they got into the year before, because they go driving a million miles an hour down the road in the snow when I'm trying not to skid out at 15 mph. I haven't heard many breaks in the radio traffic for wrecks being slammed out one after the other. Just got back from a 2 vehicle collision which sent one into a ditch. On a ramp. Dummies. Oh well, it's job security.
I find a lot of SUVs in wrecks... being up high psychologically gives the people a sense of invincibility and power. They forget that 4 wheel drive doesn't mean "can drive on ice". They also forget that having a truck body without the construction of a car leads to a higher fatality rate due to more energy from the impact being transmitted to the driver. Oh well...
