Type of Organization

Private EMS

Job Function

Lieutenant, EMT - Paramedic (or Other ALS)

Years in Fire/EMS:

25

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

Med-Trans of Tennessee, Benton station (Polk County)

Years With Department/Agency

4

Other Past or Current Departments and Organizations

Hiwassee Dam VFD in Murphy, NC
Cherokee County Rescue Squad in Murphy, NC

My Training:

NC level 3 firefighter, level 1 fire instructor, emt/paramedic, and too many con-ed and related classes to list.

About Me:

I have worked for several ems agencies in NC, GA, and TN over the years
NC--Cherokee County Rescue Squad (volunteer on a BLS truck), Cherokee County EMS (ALS), Med-Line EMS in Murphy (a private convalescent service in Murphy many years ago)
GA-Fannin County Fire (ALS )
TN--Woods hospital EMS (ALS), Erlanger hospital EMS (ALS), Bradley County EMS (ALS), Alert Care EMS (ALS/BLS tiered system), and currently Med-Trans EMS (ALS).

also, my dad was an emt and my wife is a paramedic.

Relationship Status:

Married

Why I Joined Fire/EMS

started out volunteering as a firefighter, that progressed into rescue, then made a career choice to become involved in the ems part and get paid for it. been an emt/paramedic for almost 20 years.

Why I Love Fire/EMS

knowing I made a difference in someones life, either a pt or family member.

Top Issues Facing Responders:

In EMS, it is the money issues. For employers, it is the medicare and insurance reimbursements and for the emt/medic, it is the pay/benefits. Also as an industry or group, we need to come together and demand the respect we have been lacking from the other areas of health care. I think we will always be looked down upon by doctors and nurses as just "ambulance drivers" whose sole job is to get the patients to them.