Heather

Smyrna, TN

United States

Profile Information:

Type of Organization
Other Response Agency Type
Job Function
Other Emergency Services Staff
Years in Fire/EMS:
27
Primary Fire/EMS Department:
Hospital Emergency Department Staff Nurse
Years With Department/Agency
30
Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations
Also volunteered as dispatcher at WEMA
My Training:
Emergency Department Staff Nurse and EMT
About Me:
I am an Emergency Department Staff Nurse. I was an EMT for six years, and responded to calls in a rural county. At one point there was no paramedic or EMT-IV; I would respond to MVC calls and start IV's if the assessment warranted such. I married a firefighter. I was in a freak accident approx 10 yrs ago and had to step out of my "Nurse Dixie" shoes( for those who remember "Emergency" with Rampart Hospital) LOL Although I had to stop working, my heart is with the firefighters, EMS and first responders, and of course the ED. When I worked in the ED, the firefighters and EMS were one and the same. I made it my mission to make sure I grabbed some Gatorade, cold drinks etc when I knew that they were enroute to the ED with house fire victims, had been on scene of a major MVC with prolonged extrication(s). I would also take water and Gatorade out to the scene of a fire. We didn't have rehab trucks back in the day.
Relationship Status:
Married
Why I Joined Fire/EMS
To take care of the inured and assist victims of house fires until the Red Cross arrived.
Why I Love Fire/EMS
It is in my blood, I am a "critical" thinker, always thinking ahead about the "what if's". I believe that most of us are critical thinkers who are firefighters, EMS workers, first responders . The professionals
Top Issues Facing Responders:
Now, unfortunately, safety for firefighters, EMS, and first responders. The NewYork murders of two firefighters was a heinous crime. Then a second shooting in Alabama. I think that this may only be the beginning. The mental health system is broken in this country. It has been for many years.
Secondly, I think that funding for fire departments is not equal across our nation. I think that fire departments, whether payed or volunteer, should be able to more easily obtain equipment and funding for training and/or continuing education.

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