Brush Up On EMS with Bob

Two weeks out from the day that I have been preparing myself for the last 24 years. It still has kinda a feeling to it that its not reality. Marriage can be a scary/ exciting word. Sometimes I cant believe its true. I glanced back over the photos that brought me to where I am today. Most people would say that my love for my future wife started a little over 2 years ago when I saw her walk through the door into my classroom . However it started way before that. My mentor Joe Hickert was an amazing influence on my life. I wouldnt be where I am today if it wasnt for him. I first met Joe , when I was 18 yrs old sitting in an office at Thomas County EMS in Colby, Kansas. I was there because I was about to take an EMT class from that EMS agenecy. They were conducting interviews for the program. I will remember it as clear as day . Joe asked me why I wanted to be in EMS. I told him I wanted to help people. I also told him that someday I wanted to become a Firefighter Paramedic....

"Medic 47 to dispatch triage one code black!" This is a common, but a not so fun part of our job as EMS caregivers.  Life as we know it  consists of bringing life into the world and watching the one we love leave it. We are called to that code blue, hoping to put our skills to the test but we show up and find that the patient no matter how old or young has passed away and there is no hope for bringing back the dead. We quickly have to transition from trying to save a life  to notifying the family of their loved ones passing.  We also have to be ready to take care of the family members in their time of panic and discomfort. This is not an easy time in the least for the family.  Death Notification In times of sheer discomfort the brain does not comprehend what it is told. It can create safe zones for the inflicted and protect them from the worst pain. The brain creates altenate relaties , so much so they wont be able to believe you that their loved one ...

I was thinking today as was sitting drinking my coffee, at the local coffee shop, about what it must of been like back in the early birth years of EMS. What the calls must have been like. How the equipment, we now have on display at departments, really felt like to use. Crouching in the back of a herse bumping down the road at 70mph.  Only those who were there, would know.  I soon realized though we can be in touch with the past through things we do, to this day. If you can just imagine with me , lets touch the past. How many of you still wash trucks, still were uniforms or educate those you work with? I know for a while I used to hate washing trucks because it takes work to make that spotless shine.  Or wearing that uniform when its 110 degrees outside and you would rather be in shorts. Think for just a second though , those before washed trucks back in the early days of EMS too. They took pride in their equipment and uniforms. They did what they could for their p...

I started my journey in EMS not really caring about EMS. But with the constant and ever present influence of Chris Venters and Nick Larmer as my EMT-B instructors I quickly stopped caring about fire and became more dedicated to EMS. If it wasn't for both of my instructors staying late with me helping me understand and remember all those things that I was having trouble with, I would have never finished EMT class. But now I work full time for a service where I live. I absolutely love going to work. I constantly think back to class and what both of my instructors have said . All of that, leads me to want to continue my education. So I decided to go for it. Below is a picture of myself and a friend on out first day of paramedic class. It would never have been possible without Chris or Nick. Thank you for opening my eyes to this great and unruly beast ,known as EMS!!!!! Guys there are more stories like these out there. Lets always keep in mind , what we teach our students i...