Is this thing still on? It’s been ages since I’ve posted, but work has kind of gotten in the way of little things like blogging, sleep and eating. But, I’m still here and if you’d like to hear what’s up, I’ve prepared an update.
You’re still reading? Good.
Okay. So, I’m a medic. I finished medic school with an incredible 4.0 for the curriculum and an overall GPA of 3.89. And that was no small feat. It kicked my ass. As I wrote a few weeks back, ‘What now?” Well, here’s what’s going on.
I just started with a small rural department as a resident FF/PM. I’ll be referring to this department as UNFD (Up North Fire Department) A resident at UNFD is a compensated volunteer that functions exactly like a career firefighter. I work a 48/96 and I am expected to perform all the duties of a FF/PM during my shift. We have a couple of career guys on shift with us and we work side by side with them. I just completed a month of orientation/”mini academy” and will attend the state fire academy this fall. The department already had several guys scheduled to attend the session that starts in August and there wasn’t room for me. I’ll be in the next wave. Do I like working as a fire medic? Well, I have to admit I do. I really enjoy enjoy the brotherhood in the station and frankly, 90% of what we do are either medical calls or MVAs and I feel like I have a good grasp on that stuff. Plus, cutting up cars, climbing ladders, venting a roof and putting out fire is pretty damn cool. I like it.
There is a downside, however. We don’t do many calls. As a matter of fact, on my last 48, we didn’t turn a wheel except to take the medic unit out for driver practice. That blows. I am not going to get a ton of experience at UNFD.
So, on to job #2.
I was just offered a per diem job as a medic at FFAAS (Far Far Away Ambulance Service), the place where I rode as a medic student during my last quarter of school. It’s an awesome place, very busy, great people and lots of trauma. From my experience riding there as a student I know I’ll get a ton of tubes and see some sick people. They actually wanted me to work full time, but I couldn’t juggle the schedule between UNFD and FFAAS and make it work. I’ll be picking up one or two 24 hour shifts there during my 4 days off. That still doesn’t leave a lot of time for sleep, fun, life and whatnot… but I’ll manage. Right now, getting good experience as a medic is much more important.
Other than that, life is pretty good. I was offered a new pair of steel toe duty boots to wear and review and I’ll do that as soon as I get a few more weeks of wear in ‘em. It was fortuitous, as my 5.11s have been MIA since I moved!
Also, I would be remiss if I didn’t take a moment to congratulate Epi for her fine job of completing paramedic school. Well done kiddo!
“There is a downside, however. We don’t do many calls. As a matter of fact, on my last 48, we didn’t turn a wheel except to take the medic unit out for driver practice.”
Don’t ever say that out loud ever again.
Sorry HM, I know it’s the equivalent of saying the “Q” word out loud, to a nurse, in a dead ER.
But at UNFD, very few calls are the norm, not the exception. We do less than 1000 calls per year.
Can you explain “compensated volunteer?” Isn’t that a bit of an oxymoron?
Sure. We are technically volunteers, but we receive a monthly stipend to cover food, gas and other expenses. So, it is not a ton of money, but it is certainly not a straight volunteer position.
Regardless of where you are and what you’re doing… It’s good to see you back. I think about you and your situation often – you’ve been through quite a bit. With all that you’ve been through, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.
Be safe.