Type of Organization

EMS/Rescue Squad/Hospital EMS - Paid

Job Function

EMT - Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

20

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Effingham County EMS, Springfield Georgia

Years With Department/Agency

1

Web Site:

http://dmatga4

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Effingham County EMS Springfield, GA
we also cover Roebling Road Race Track
DMAT GA 4, Augusta GA

PAST:
MedstarOne, Savannah GA 17 years
Levy Volunteer Fire Department 5 years, Hardeeville, SC
Jasper County EMS Ridgeland, SC 3 years

My Training:

Curent NREMT-P, Paramedic GA
Have been : Firefighter Interior SC, Field Trainning Officer EMS, LT of Field Operations EMS, CISM Leader / Peer , Chaplin

About Me:

I love to learn and will take any class related to EMS or even FIRE. After 20 years there is still a lot to learn and every day is a new experience with new challenges.

Relationship Status:

Single

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

Hmm, "Act of GOD" I was at a standstill in y job as a printer and wanted a change. I prayed and when a friend aske dme what I was planing on doing I answered I ws going to be an EMT. I did not know what an EMT was or did. My first night of class I looked through the book and the pictures were gross. I did not want to come back but my "gut/inner voice" ept urging me to return so I did. I ended up loving EMS and Fire.My first calls were totally on-the job learning with a "driver" who knew how to drive and do CPR and me who had never been on an ambulance before. There were times when I would ook at my driver and she would look back with a funny grin in answer to my question of "how in the world are we going to..." and she would say, "I don;t know.. but you are the EMT!" I stayed because of the challenge and I love crisis intervention. I am on the EMs side because I could not get the training or pay on Fire when I first started.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

Crisis intervention. I love helping people in need

Top Issues Facing Responders:

Training, Retention, Across the Board Standards and of course pay. The other thing is the quality of people entering the field. It seems that the schools are producing masses that are not prepared for the streets. Some don't know the basics, can't talk to a patient, can't do basic assessments and are not comforable and yet go from basic to paramedic with no or little street time. There are a lot of mistakes being made on the streets which gives Fire/EMS a bad name. We need to focus on our people and correct our house before it falls.