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Big Change - For real this time
So, it's been over a month since I posted. Sorry... I've been a little busy.I decided to take my blog title seriously, and I accepted a seasonal position as a Paramedic for the National Park Service at...
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Stars
Over the years, I've spent many nights sleeping outdoors, and many more nights outside with friends. One thing I've never gotten tired of is starting at a sky full of stars. Where I live, there's just...
View ArticlePhilly Fire at Level Zero
Philadelphia Daily News has an inflammatory headline today: In case of emergency, say a prayer? Sad part - It's spot on. Getting EMS care in Philadelphia is as much luck as it is anything else. It's a...
View ArticleFellowship
I’ve had the opportunity this spring to be involved in something really cool. I’ve been involved with a new group, called the American College of Paramedics. Here’s the idea – Paramedics in the United...
View ArticleCode 4
A few months ago, I blogged about “plain speak” and how terminology changes from place to place. Now that I'm working in the Western US, I've learned a NEW term for an ambulance – out here, it's called...
View ArticleHelicopters
I've long been a believer in the Bryan Bledsoe School ofHelicopter EMS (HEMS) Usage. Essentially, they have a place in EMS, but they should be like abortion – safe, legal, and rare.Back home in...
View ArticleWildfire
The other week, I finally got the opportunity to complete my Pack Test, or “Work Capacity Test” for my current job. It’s the arduous-level wildland fire physical fitness test. You wear a vest or carry...
View ArticleTravel
Well, it's been a busy few weeks out here.I flew home last week during my 3 days off to see some folks, and pick up a shift at my one job. Why did I need to pick up a shift? Because they said if I...
View ArticleWeird Al
In the last few weeks, "Weird" Al Yankovic has been all over social media.His most recent album proves that he's still relevant, and his parodies are just as appreaciated today as they have been for...
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EMS and Firearms – an Intro
Over the last few years, I've been involved in multiple discussions regarding EMS providers carrying firearms in the performance of their duties. Many of my friends often assume that I'd take the...
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EMS and Firearms - What are the current laws pertaining to EMS carrying...
What are the current laws pertaining to EMS carrying firearms? PA is a rather pro-gun state. Commonwealth Licenses to Carry Firearms (LCTF) are shall-issue, and inexpensively available from every...
View ArticleEMS and Firearms - Who Will Carry?
There's one category I will say should be permitted to carry firearms without much thought – that would be Tactical EMS providers, who function with a municipal or regional SWAT/ERT team. They should...
View Article2014 PA Scope of Practice Update
On Saturday, 11/29/14, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania published an update to the EMS scope of practice in the PA Bulletin (Found here). I’m no lawyer, but as the document highlights that IN and IM...
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Blue Lights and Volunteers
Over the past few days, there's been a Change.org petition circulating to expand the privileges of volunteer firefighters and EMS personnel who use "courtesy lights". Here in PA, those lights are blue...
View ArticlesmaccUS - Day 0
The last few weeks have been a whirlwind of preparation and working extra shifts so that I could afford to spend this coming week in Chicago for SMACC:Chicago/SMACC:US (#smaccUS) - SMACC stands for...
View ArticlesmaccUS - Day 1
Yesterday was an absolute BLAST in Chicago for SMACC US. Literally, a blast - the show opened with a confetti cannon!For those who don't know - SMACC stands for Social Media and Critical Care. It's a...
View ArticlesmaccUS - Day 2
Alright. Day 2 at SMACC, and I'm starting to get the hang of it. LOTS of folks who are HUGE in the FOAM scene, and many are VERY cool about it. This phenomenon, of course, has a hashtag (#smaccSquee) I...
View ArticlesmaccUS - Day 3
Day 3: The Last day.Again, too many talks to sum up each one, and so many good talks going on at the same time. I can't wait for all the podcasts to come out so that I can catch up.The most interesting...
View ArticlePost-smaccUS
My time at smaccUS is done. I flew home yesterday. Spent the day working today.I've been to a LOT of EMS-focused conferences. I've never had more fun than I did in Chicago this week. The social network...
View ArticleJohn Hinds and #ResusWankers
For those who read my smaccUS Day 1 blog, you know how much of an impact Dr. John Hind's lecture on a resuscitative thoracotomy had on me.I was beyond shocked when I woke up on Saturday morning to find...
View ArticleGrammar
Those of you who know me, know that I am active on several different EMS forums, including serving as admin staff over at www.EMTLife.com and a few EMS-focused Facebook groups.One of the things that...
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Gear Review - Mophie Powerstation Duo
I've been using the Mophie Powerstation Duo since this summer. I actually bought it on the way to the 2013 Boy Scout Jamboree to replace the portable battery I'd forgotten to pack. Picked it up at a...
View ArticleFelons and Guns?
One of the big gun blogs, TTAG, raises the question of felons owning firearms in a blog on Friday.Live by the gun, die by the gun? Create a federal system for the restoration of felons’ gun rights? Or...
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NR-P
I got a nice letter in the mail today.Effective last week, I'm now a Nationally Registered Paramedic. That means that I'm no longer "NREMT-P", instead I'm "NR-P".And if I decide to pay money for a new...
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Travel Medic 101
Since the onset of the COVID pandemic, there’s been an increasing number of opportunities for EMS providers to take deployment or travel jobs, in some cases with significant financial incentives.I’ve...
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