Nominating has begun!

Follow the link to The Fire Critic to see the details and rules of the compotition.

Nomination period:

January 11 – January 19.

Beginning at 0000 hours EST on January 12th and ending at 2359 hours EST January 19th.

Nomination via email or contact form:

Nominate using E-mail directly at firecritic@firecritic.com or our form on our contact page.

• Please include the name of the blog
• Please include the url of the blog (http://www.thesite.com)
• Please include your name
• Please include why you are nominating the blog
• If you do not include your name the nomination will not be counted

 So what are you waiting for go nominate your favorite blog's
and if it happens to be for me that would be nice

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie

The "Helm"

The chair is not nearly as comfortable as I once remembered, the room is filled with dim light creating shadows blending into darkness. There is no view to speak of, just the television with its changing pictures, for all intents and purposes its a cave. Not the awesome kind of cave like a caped crusader of justice would have, not even the kind with a hidden pirate ship much like the Goonies ended up in. Rather just a dark cave when the computer monitor's time out. A dark and lonely cave void of life other than myself.

Its not often that I sit at the "helm" of the ship, frankly I am not the biggest fan of it. Now don't get me wrong I have nothing against dispatching but right now in my life I love being where the rubber meets the asphalt. Sure I'm inside away from the cold and snow right now but I still have to deal with the same individuals that you meet on the streets except now they are on the phone. They are hard to understand, sniffling, moaning and other various bodily noises and usually have no more useful information than that provided by a 5year old. Or they tell me every amount of useless information including the color of the patients shirt and shoe size thinking that will make a difference in the speed the ambulance arrives. I would much rather be on the road where I can at least match up my minds image to the actual weirdo that gave the call info. That always brings a smile to my face.

Some may not appreciate the way that I have referred to my current obligation as "the Helm", many may even think I have gone mad! How could a Dispatcher be referred to as controlling the direction of the ambulance? They just sit in their comfy location and spew out orders of where to go and what to do! They have no real power and they always pretend that they do. Or they tell me one thing and upon arrival its completely different, I was not prepared for the call in any way, Damn you Dispatch! I pity those who don't have a good dispatcher, and I can relate to a bad one too. Once you find the good ones make sure you keep a hold of them.

The idea of sitting the helm invokes the job of directing the vessel into open waters on its voyage, a seat of assumed power. In terms of EMS its the road guys apparent rivals, who are only out to harass you and make your night a living hell. As if they have any real ability to control what comes in and needs to be dispatched. When actually they should be the crews best friend. The invisible force that is there to help us when we need a little bit extra. the one who manages behind the scenes and usually never get any credit for a job well done.

Instead of sitting the "helm" I like to think my post tonight as being the radio DJ during the request hour, sure not every song coming through the radio is your favorite but if its a requested it should be played. Though sometimes if you sit through the boring whiny songs you get to hear what you have been waiting for!

   

Go ahead and dance you know you want to

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie

Tradition

All the holiday splendor is over and the decorations are being picked up. The trees are being taken down and the stress of the family get together's are a memory of last year. Life has returned to normal and we can all relax, but some may not know that in several homes through America especially in my neck of the woods the holidays have yet to begin. 

In homes all through America and the world, Orthodox are preparing a traditional dinner for Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve? That was December 24th! On the contrary, in Orthodox homes who follow the Gregorian calender Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. With that being said, I have a tradition to celebrate every year since I can remember. I use to get out of school excused due to celebrating Russian Christmas. I always liked being able to celebrate a different holiday from most, not for the sake of religion, or the good thing to do to keep people happy, rather for the traditional importance I feel towards this event. The connection I have knowing this has occurred in my family with my grandparents my great grandparents all of who no longer are around. Knowing that in the short time my family has been in this country that we have embraced January 7th as our Christmas. Granted I never got presents of gifts, but it was never about that for "American Christmas was for gifts. The things I enjoy the most is the time with my parents, the smells out of the kitchen, and the joy I get from knowing this is worth passing down to my son, seeing him participate in the tradition I had done since I was young, thats worth having him experience it.

Tonight I will be going to my folks house to partake in the traditional aspects of  Christmas Eve dinner, such as washing our hands with coins to ask for prosperity in the coming year. Enjoying traditional ethnic fare and Momma Junkies Manhattan clam chowder. 

It really is one of the reasons that I am glad I have stayed in the area, in order to maintain a small part of my traditional heritage. Not many in the Junkie clan left locally to keep this small dinner going and I am glad we have the ability to keep momma Junkie happy and allow her grandson to participate annually. So I wish all of my readers a happy Russian Christmas from my Russian side of heritage. 

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie

New Years Resolution

Now that the booze has flowed, the clock struck midnight you've gotten that new years kiss and the ball has dropped its officially the event we have all been waiting for. A new year for us to reform our ways, make a resolution to make our selves better. Its a unique opportunistic time that comes along in a rare 365days, just like the one before or the one before that or..um...the one before that one? Enough of the cynicism! Its a new year after all! A new slate with promises to break to our selves try really hard to keep going for a year. It allows us to lie to the ones who know us the best, the ones in the mirror and try real hard to change something about ourselves. This year we'll promise to hit the gym, kick that habit in order to quite smoking, cut our carbon footprint, recycle more, loose weight, car pool more, use public transit, achieve that goal of being more organized or other lies life changes we come up with.

If you haven't picked up on it yet, I do not believe in the all mighty power of the new years resolution. Nor have I in many, many years. I have no intention to stop being my sarcastic self, finding objects of amusement causing me to laugh (even at the expense of others), or even will I resolve to care more about petty things. I also have no intention of publicly making fun of people, pushing old folks down on street corners, stealing, or hitting anyone over the head with a Nine Iron.

I don't feel any need to resolve to change something that is making me who I am, much like I wouldn't resolve to start a R.A.P sheet for myself and ruin my "good" name. Now don't read this and think that I am totally against this holiday created by calender companies to market a product that you could make at home. I do appreciate the newness that the new year brings.

The new year is filled with potential, that new car smell of opportunity so to speak. The chance to start a new and go achieve the goals you have set for your self.

So if you have to resolve or just set goals to achieve in this fresh year best of luck to you. I hope this year is the year of action for all of us. Enough talk of what we want to do with our lives or our careers or our passions, this year is the year to make the move. Lets lay it all on the table and go all in, we have the mindset now lets have the success.

Happy New Year and all its potential.

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

Holiday "Break"

From my family to yours

Merry Christmas

I shall return after the New Year, as I will be spending it with
family and celebrating my Lil Mans 1st Birthday.

Please enjoy every thing that is the holiday season
 And thank you for all your support from the bottom of my heart

As Always

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

Over Simplified?

While fueling the rig I saw the sign above, which raised a thought. Doesn't the use of a Credit or Debit card negate the "payer" as Cash Customers? So is this sigh really necessary than? Frankly should this over simplification of a concept have to be this redundant within such a small space?

Obviously if we have to have such a sign even exist, which obviously we do, it really needs to be quite large. The individuals it is intended for aren't going to see this misplaced signpost plastered to the steel support beam of the gas station. Rather they need an enormous neon sign on top of the building that asks a simple question and then will answer it for them (No thinking involved): USING CASH? PREPAY. Maybe add additional blinking lights, flashing arrows to point at the glowing neon light pollution. That way Joe Public is drawn to the sigh much like bugs to a light, they'll ask them selves "Am I using cash?...Hmmm...Yes I will have to use cash to buy my gas today, what of it? Oh I understand, I must Prepay"

So that got me thinking about some of the people I've had the pleasure of training over the years. The ones who didn't see the giant neon sign above the stations which read's "You don't know it all, apply within, we teach"  The fresh out of Basic class, who already working their way through the Medic Class with out an ounce of real exposure, new hire. By the time they are getting out of the Medic class they are so full of them selves and how well they have the book knowledge down that a little basic, such as myself, is nothing more than the proverbial "Ambulance Driver"or the "Bitch" to do all the crap calls.

Granted, I may not almost be done with the eighteen months (or less) of schooling that you have under your belt that has taught you how to read cardiac rhythms, given you the "skills" to push drugs, start IV's, or intubate a patient, and given you the ability to read protocols. But I do have a couple of years of experience and more calls under my belt than some agencies have in a year.

So it may be advisable to listen to what I have to say, and don't automatically answer "Ya, I know". If I've picked up on something you're doing incorrect or am attempting to refine your hop-scotch assessments, your incoherent patch reports its because its apparent you don't "know"...Ya Know?

So do not brush off the guy who's "just" a Basic that could be the one to save your ass if you ever get cleared as a Medic. Our Basic's are the best assest you could ever have in your bag of tools. Though you are the one with the eighteen months of education, so you tell me; what should our basic's neon signs say?

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

Twelve days of EMS

*On the First day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Second Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Third Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Fourth Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Fifth Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Sixth Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Seventh Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Eighth Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Eight Swinging Drunks, Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures,  Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Ninth Day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Nine Needing Narcan, Eight Swinging Drunks, Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures, Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Tenth day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Ten Tooth Aches, Nine Needing Narcan, Eight Swinging Drunks, Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures, Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*On the Eleventh day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Eleven Esophageal Varices, Ten Tooth Aches, Nine Needing Narcan, Eight Swinging Drunks, Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures, Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

*And on the Twelfth day of EMS my dispatcher sent me to
Twelve Febrile Kids! Eleven Esophageal Varices, Ten Tooth Aches, Nine Needing Narcan, Eight Swinging Drunks, Seven CHF'ers, Six Month's of Chest Pain's, Five Trauma Codes, Four Frequent Flyers, Three Faking Seizures, Two Stubbed Toes & A Smelly Necropolis Rectal Bleed

Tis The Season

Dispatch: "Caller advises it's the house on the corner and stated he left the lights on"

I have nothing against holiday cheer, in fact my house is beautifully decorated both in and out. I begin to listen to Christmas music the first work shift after Thanksgiving. I'm not devote about it, it just seems that its only played a short time out of the year so I should enjoy it. I'm not fanatical about Christmas in any way, its not my favorite holiday but I do enjoy it.

It perplexes me though about human nature and how they can put the time and effort into creating the "master piece" as seen above. They then use it to their advantage when having a medical emergency, great! Very creative in fact, I applaud your effort and out of the box thinking. Any other time of the year though they can never turn on a porch light, Shovel thier sidewalks or make sure house numbers are visible (if they even have them). I cant begin to count the number of times that I have had to back down a road with scene lights on just to guess which house is probably the correct scene because you've obviously passed it. Its like a game show half the time, the prize? The Patient!

As long as I am on the subject, know what your address is. If I have to roll up to a 23 Made-up St. one more time this year and its an empty lot, I'm going to think about calling out No Pt found. Rather I take the time to call up to county dispatch advising of the current situation and asking for them to recontact the caller to find out the call is at 32 made-up St. and then I get grief because the Pt's "Dyslexic".

I really do enjoy rolling up with all the flashing lights though, the blinking candy canes, the dancing Santa Claus, The moving deer statues, the twinkling the brightness and the rest of the festive display but can we carry this courtesy through the rest of the year?

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

The Boo-Boo Bunny

Thanks to my great mate over at Scaredy Fish 

I'd like to share this helpful trick with you.

All credit is due to Scaredy Fish for bringing this into my everyday skill set.

Now its not original to him but he taught it to me so I give him credit

A matter of fact this Posting is dedicated to him for teaching me it.

(I kinda asked/stole its Blog use prior to his return to Blogging)

The ambulance is a scary and unfamiliar place for people especially children,

so if there was a way to ease their anxiety while preforming simple treatment and care

should we not strive to accomplish it?

There is the natural psychological first aid effect for children towards stuffed characters,

  Kids typically cling to them for comfort during times of distress.

This can typically be used to our advantage

as a great tool to disguise an intervention such as an Ice pack, or Blow by Oxygen.

"Hold the bunny on the boo boo." 

"Make sure you hug the bunny"

Items needed: Standard Hospital Towel

2 or 3inch Tape

a Sharpie or marker.

Ice Pack/ Oxygen Mask

The instructions are simple.

1. Lay the towel out

2. Fold the corners in 

 3. Roll tightly

4. Tape the edge

5. Bend into a U shape

6. Twist the ends to form ears

7. Tape around the base of the ears 

This creates the face and keeps the ears formed

8. Draw your best cute bunny face, remember triangle noses

Smiles are nice, no teeth.

You can put an ice pack in the hole in the belly 

and wrap the body in another towel to create a cold pack they will hold on the injury

Works wonders for holding O2 masks, 

just insert from the bottom of the belly out the back and its instant blow by oxygen.

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie

One Award I'm Glad I Didn't Win!

 With the ever approaching New Year

I thinks its safe to say

My Wife and I are not in the running

for Worst Parenting Decision 2010

But I'd like you to meet a front runner...

MCKEES ROCKs, Pa. (AP) - Authorities say a 2-year-old girl spent 15 minutes stuck inside a toy crane vending machine in a Pittsburgh-area mall. The girl apparently climbed up the chute into which the coin-operated crane drops prizes. Moon Run Fire Chief Paul Kashmer tells WPXI-TV that the girl didn't seem upset by the ordeal Wednesday night in the food court at the Mall of Robinson, in Robinson Township. 

She was extricated from the machine unharmed

Though it took nearly $9.00 in quarters to get the girl out. 

(yes I stole that from SNL but its funny)

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie

Coach Now

He is a frail, weak and sickly old man.

Some time has passed, but he still looks the same to me.

He lays in front of me on his hospital bed in the living room

Face sunken in around his eyes and cheeks

Wife holding his hand, daughter at the foot of the bed

Hospice nurse giving us his paperwork and a run down.

Its funny how for years I rode on his bus to places with the rest of his team

Now he rides on my bus with my team

This time instead of to the football field we travel to the hospital

We talk about the years past

We talk about my life

Lastly we talk about football

Coach was a good man

I'm glad I had the chance to tell him how he influenced me

For Coach was in the final minutes of his final game.

He knew he was losing, and wouldn't tie up the score

That night the Ref's blow the final whistle

Game over

 Good Game Couch, Good Game.

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

Coach Then

He was a rough, rugged and rotten old man.

Bathed in booze and Cigar smoke

Skin tough as leather

Face wrinkled and weathered from battles in the elements

Eyes cold and grey

A formidable opponent to a high school kid

Making us Bleed, though never laying a hand on us.

Making us sweat until we ran out

Making us suffer at his mere delight

Always on his hill, watching over us

Criticising our every move, our every formation

His voice screaming to get it right

Wrong route; Run The HILL!

Missed the block; Run The HILL!

Fumbled the ball; Run The HILL!

As hard as he was though, he was our Coach

Year after year we returned in early August

To be tortured under his rule.

To young to understand the lessons he was entrusting us with

If I only knew then what I would have learned

Thanks to Coach

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie

The Handover: Burn out

So after participating in only a few of these Handover's I just realized I've never allowed

those who dont follow other EMS Blogs to get a taste of whats out

there on the Blog-o-sphere.

I hope you'll take a moment to head over the this months Host

and see what the others in the world of EMS 

have to say.

The Handover EMS Blog Carnival

Burn out

Hosted this month by:
Rescue Monkey

Scaredy Fish

I would love to introduce to you the blog of 

Scaredy Fish

A coworker of mine who I can gladly has become a friend.

Which is hard to say in this business.

In this world of Zombie Apocalypse

He'd be in my fox hole.

Be Safe

Ambulance Junkie 

Trauma note taking

We all have different techniques for keeping track of pertinant assessments. Many people have these Tricks of the trade they do with out second thought. I'd like to share one that I find most useful for the trauma call.

I typically scribe on my left glove all my findings from assessments, so I have the info readily available for a patch report to the ER or nurse report. I found scribing this way inauspicious during a trauma call because of all the dirt, grime, blood and various other substances that typically get on gloves. Also during a trauma I am more likely to change gloves and then lose any info I have scribed.

This Scenario is assuming that your rapid initial assessment has determined that the best course of action allows you to remain on scene with your patient. Let me repeat myself, this is not the proverbial "load and go" yet rather you can "Stay and Play" we are talking about. This technique is rather helpful when remembering all those injuries for later on in the call or after all said and done.

Once the Pt is in the rig and you can focus on your primary detailed physical assessment take a roll of 3 inch tape over lapped vertically 2-3 times. Sectioning it into three areas and place on the cabinets along the patient or the wall/ cabinets behind you. The three sections represent the three sections of the body to focus on in a trauma. Head/Neck, Chest/Arms/ABD and Pelvis/Legs. Now every time you find a injury during  your primary assessment you write the findings on the tape, allowing you to re-evaluate systematically on secondary assessments. This technique also lets you take the findings on these sections into the ER for the staff to see and use.

This is an easy skill to get a young provider to do while you preform the assessments. In the case you are with a driver only, you can use them to scribe for you to help out.

By breaking down a trauma assessment from head to toe you have a record of all the DCAP-BTLS (Deformities, Contusions, Abrasions, Punctures, Burns, Tenderness, Lacerations, Swelling) for all the Non EMS'ers. This will alleviate forgetting any injuries when documenting or when sharing during a report to a nurse.

Now not to say this couldn't be done during a "load and go" depending on various factors, such as transport times, Multiple providers in the back Ect. During those times more important life saving interventions of course  take presidence.

I'm glad to pass this off to my readers for I was passed onto me from a great mentor. She's no longer on the streets but misses it greatly. I hope this bit of info helps, I know it has for me.

Be Safe
Ambulance Junkie