Training day

Not exactly what I was expecting for today, but I can roll with the punches so it's ok. I came in this morning and was called into a meeting with both of my captains. We discussed the things I've been limited in doing since being transferred here, and what they plan to do to get me as well prepared for my next promotion. It's nice to know but understand my standpoint and are backing me all the way.

We got the trucks checked off and relaxed for a few minutes before pulling the trucks around back. We pulled all the extrication equipment off both units.

We have an old car sitting behind the station that has already been cut on a few times. All the glass is gone, the tires are flat, the hood has been cut, and 3 of the 4 doors have been forced open.

It started with me giving the sizeup (what I saw, establish command, etc). I was also asked what I'd do and have other crews do once they arrived. We put on all our gear and cranked the power plants.

I had to hook up 2 tools using the hose reel and manifold, then we tested how it affected the pressure on the tools when used at the same time.

Finally, I was handed a haligan and told to create a purchase point to remove the door that was still attached. I created an opening and grabbed the "jaws". Why are those damn things so heavy?? It took quite a few attempts of sticking the tips in and making little to no progress before I finally got a good spread. I haven't been able to use the tools much since the academy so I had to stumble a bit on the best way to do things. With some help, the door was opened.

We switched the other set of tools to the cutters and I got to cut 2 posts with the sawz-all, another tool I've never used before. It's a lot harder and takes so much longer than the hydraulic tools.

We removed the roof, and I used the jaws to remove the drivers door, the passenger side door was already off. We then made relief cuts and rolled the dash.

We played around with the tools for a bit longer before putting everything away. We did have to remove one of the hydraulic lines from service though, the rubber seal was stuck halfway out of it after we disconnected everything. Our larger ram was also tagged for not retracting properly.

We ran a call later that was a multi-car collision on the Interstate with 1 rollover. The patient lost a lot of skin on their hand/wrist, and it's a good reason why not to hang your arm out the window while driving.

Only other thing is we just had a random civilian bring us a new flag for our pole out front. The old one is looking tired and our supply guys are slower than molasses about getting us a new one. He said he noticed it a few weeks ago. It's sad, really, when a civilian has to spend their money to help a fire station get a new flag. We had a guy here before that made sure we got new flags in a timely manner, and that the old ones were properly retired.

I'd choke you with that stethoscope, but you might like it

First of all, I want to welcome and say thanks to my newest followers.

I've been out of town over a long weekend for a convention, so sorry for the lack of posts. The convention was 100% unrelated to work, and I had a lot of fun just hanging out with my friends and being silly. We did have a couple of military personnel present, and they put on a beautiful inpromptu flag-folding ceremony on Sunday morning.

Back at work, we went almost the entire shift without any calls. We did run 1 call shortly after dinner.

Lady is shopping at the local hobby store and accidently dropped a glass bowl. She said she didn't even realize it'd hit her foot until she felt the warmth of her blood after a few steps.

When we arrived, store personnel were with her and had unrolled quite a bit of papertowels and were trying to stop the blood loss. We took over and I put a nice stack of 4x4's over the wound and wrapped it with both some cling and an ace bandage before propping her foot up as best we could.

With no other transportation (not letting her drive), we called for a transport unit. The glass had gotten deep enough into the top of her foot to cut a vein and she needed to see a Dr for it.

She was very nice, although extremely worried, so we told her that as long as we weren't running around like idiots, she'd be ok. She seemed to relax a bit and was enjoying watching us picking on each other.

Our ambulance arrived and were filled in on the story. One of the guys loves picking on me (I pick back) and immediately started in as soon as he saw me. The title of this post was one of my comments to him, and it got a hearty laugh. We got a couple of good giggles as we helped the lady onto their stretcher, and said our goodbyes.

Back in quarters, the driver asked me to walk him through our PCR program. It took a while as he's very slow with typing, but we got it done. I don't think he has much grasp of the SOTC format for the narrative, but we can certainly work on that.

Horse Troubles

Another non-work related blog, 2 for 2, sorry guys and gals. I'll keep it short.

Tried to go ride my horse this afternoon. He was doing ok, we'd gone on the trails and I had a friend along on another horse.

Normally, if a horse spooks and is going to buck, you can feel and see it coming. Not this time.

Out of nowhere butthead threw his head down and his ass up. I remember seeing his face in mine, as I was upside-down in mid air. My friend heard the clatter and turned around in time to see me hit the ground, and bounce.

When I got to my feet and grabbed butthead's reigns, he stuck his head out and lipped at me like he might try to nibble. I hate to admit it, but I slapped him square in the face. It's a bad habit he's picked up, I wasn't in the mood for it, and boppin him is the only way I've ever been told to break habits like that.

Anyways, I was and still am, pissed off royally. I tried to call the lady I board him with and when I finally got to talk to her, she was beyond rude with me. I've paid this woman $8,505 over 23 months to keep my horse, but 30 seconds of her time over the phone is apparently too much to ask.

I ended the conversation by just saying "I'm done" over and over. She wants him out of there soon, and so do I. BUT, I reminded her I've already paid for 14 more days of board with her. My plan is to find a new home ASAP and get him the hell out of dodge. I just need to find a place I can afford.

My only problem will be finding what they've done with all my tack. I keep my grooming kit and treats here at home, but the only things I saw out there were his nylon halter, english saddlepad, and my western saddle/ saddlepad. The saddle cover is missing (WTF??), and I have no clue what they've done with his nice leather halter, nylon clipon reigns, both of his bridles, or the bit I had. They will either find it all or replace it - no if's, and's, or but's about it.

And shame on me for not having our agreement in writing, because they're reniged on some things and I have nothing I can do about it. A mistake I won't make again.


Now, excuse me while I go dose myself up on tylenol or something. It's bad enough to hurt from the fall, but I have a killer headache from stressing out.

Spreading the Love

I know I usually only gripe about work on here, or some other assanine thing. Today, I have a non-work related post so bear with me.

Abuse manifests in many different ways, not only physical. Some people have the unfortunate experience of verbal/mental abuse as well.

Some people fall victim to this abuse and end their life, while others simply tolerate it. Some realize what's happening early on and get out of the situation. Then, there are a few who stay around for whatever reason, for an undetermined amount of time, before finally leaving.

Those people have 2 options after leaving: blunder through life as a shadow of their former self, or become stronger for what they have endured. Out of the strong ones, a few choose to relay their story to others, hoping to get some closure or even open another victim's eyes to their situation.

http://brokenbunnies.blogspot.com

This lady is one of the ones who has become stronger and has moved on to a much better life.

I don't ask much of you guys, and I'm glad to have readers...So how about helping me spread the love by visiting the blog/future book of a wonderful woman, who spent many years surviving hell?

I'd appreciate it muchly.

Boring times

Work has been 99% boring lately, hence my lack of posting.

It's driving me batshit-crazy (for lack of a better term) to be at such a slow station. We ran 1 call in 24 hours. I'm used to running between 8 and 14 calls. I usually wake up a couple times during the course of the night.

The only thing I'm still torn about is the dogs. I still really would love to get on the team. I helped yesterday and this morning with some training. I usually try to be around for training because at some point, I will have a dog (even just as a pet) and I want to have some kind of idea how to train the pup for agility and more in-depth obedience.

This morning, the on-coming captain asked me when I was getting my dog. I wish I could've had a different answer for him.

It's been 7 months since I was moved to my current station. I've been told I wasn't going to be there long, so not to worry about trying to get a dog. I don't think it'd be fair to the animal to sit at home while I work my 24 hour shift. I KNOW I can't trust my roommate not to undo anything I would work on with the dog.

Every month, I'm told my name will be on the next transfer list. Every month, I'm still here.

My career is at a standstill right now and I'm sick and tired of it. I've written another letter to have a meeting with 2 of the big chiefs. My first meeting was 3 months ago and nothing has happened. It was over 2 months from the date I wrote the first request, until I finally had the meeting that I'd requested be ASAP.

Let's see how long it takes this time.

Well, after spending a few hours in the CISM meeting this morning, I can honestly say it wasn't as painful of a meeting as I expected. Of course, I've never been through one of those meetings so I didn't really know what to expect either. The meeting was led by 3 guys, 2 of which are firefighters, the other, a pastor among other things.

It was an interesting experience. It was definately odd to sit and wait while each person told the same story from their own perspective. I'm used to us standing around rehashing things in our own way. It wasn't a bad experience though.

They mentioned/ pointed out how each of us is dealing with this a different way. Some get angry, others sad, I'm not quite sure where I fall. I'm sad about the little girl, angry at other things.

Overall, today's been an ok day. I didn't get much sleep last night, but that's not unusual for me when I work. I usually don't get more then 4-5 hours of sleep the night before I have to work. We've run 1 call so far, and never even got out of the truck. I've been able to spend a little time playing with the dogs both before and after shakin' a boot for the burn foundation.

I'm working a 48 hour shift right now to cover for a buddy, he'll have to pay me back in a couple weeks for a vacation day I was denied on. It's definately going to be an early night for bed tonight. I'm planning to get up early (for once) so I can get showered and into a clean uniform. I'm hoping to have my relief here early enough so I can shower and bug out to the other station without having to worry about a late call.


I do want to send a heartfelt thank you for the comments. It means a lot to me.

The calls that make you question doing this job

If you've been an EMT, Medic, Firefighter, Police Officer, or even Dispatcher, for any amount of time, you're already starting to sympathize with me. You've been to or taken the calls that make you look deep down inside and ask yourself why?

Why do we do this job?

Why do some calls have to hurt, when other calls can be shrugged, or even laughed, off?

Why can't we just move on?

Why don't people watch over and take better care of their children?

Why did she have to die?

Why wasn't there anything we could've done?

Why didn't the driver show the slightest hint of emotion, or remorse?

Why can't I get the image out of my head???


Last night, a 21 month old little girl was run over by a truck and died (probably instantly). She could have been inside the best hospital when it happened, and still wouldn't have been able to survive.

1 momentary lack of focus on your surroundings, 1 moment of inattentiveness, 1 distraction, 1 child that will never see her 2nd birthday.

We stayed onscene to keep an eye on mom. At one point, she was hyperventilating and we were told she nearly passed out. Once the media started arriving, she was moved to the backseat of one of the patrol cars, along with 2 other people who were trying to keep her calm.

It took a while for the medical examiner and traffic specialist units to arrive and take all the necessary photos, and mark everything with spraypaint. Once they were ready, we held up tarps and sheets to create a privacy zone around the child so the pictures of her could be taken without the media, or anyone else catching a glimpse.

They finally wrapped her in a sheet and placed her into the body bag. The medical examiner chose to put her in the backseat of his car, and somewhat sneak off the scene. It beat waiting on the ME's van to get there, and he was able to pull his car into the crime scene so close, I'm not even sure anyone noticed the child being put into the car.

Once we finally cleared the scene, everyone met for a quick, 15 minute debrief. We will all attend a 2-3 hour CISD meeting next shift.

As we were headed back to our own station, we were sent to another call. The female was roughly 3 months pregnant, and had a miscarriage into the toilet. Unfortunately for us, the hospital needs to look through everything to make sure no part of the placenta is left inside mom, or she could become extremely sick.

We used what we had, which turned out to be the bag that a sterile burn sheet comes sealed in. Everything was collected and transported with the mom to the hospital.

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We all deal with things in different ways. Some drink, some paint, some smoke. I guess I'm fortunate not to have children right now. I slept, and now I'm writing. Sleep did not come easy, but at least there weren't any nightmares, for now. I've never claimed to be a good writer, but these are my stories through my eyes.

If you have kids, be thankful for every moment. You never know how many more moments, good or bad, you will have. And give them a hug for me.

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So, in the end, why do we do this job?

Like it or not, admit it or deny it, we love this job. Why else would we put up with the people and the pay if we didn't?

Interesting things

Granted, I have a pretty in-depth tracker on this blog, but I usually only look to see how many returning visitors and new visitors I have each day.

Just now, I got a bit bored and went to look at the keyword hits.

"Can I ride in a cop car, as a rider not a cop, with a gun on my belt?"

I have no idea how google thought my lil fire/ems rant of a blog was very relevant to that search. But, the person proceeded to spend just over 2.5 hours on here. Wow.

And here I thought my mind-numbing ramblings were, well, mind-numbing.