New found EMT-B

[JSM115]

Hey guys I haven't posted in here before so I figured I'd give it a shot. I'm a senior at WIU double majoring in Emergency Management and Law Enforcement. As part of my electives I took the EMT-B cert and nationally registered. I find it really interesting, I hadn't really thought about the EMS systems very much.

I applied to not only WIU's Basic Life Support Service but also my jurisdiction back home and got accepted to both. I'm really looking forward to running some calls and seeing what its like. I have a few more months before I can start testing with PD's so I figured I would try this out for a while.

O well I just thought I would throw in my 2 cents. Anyone have any itneresting codes or EMS calls they've ran?

[scott715us]

Had a call at our airport terminal of a ramp employee who got his foot caught between a pushback and a tug. No deformity or swelling noted, but I found out that the small pillows on airplanes make perfect splints for foot/ankle injuries. Wrapped the pillow with tacky tape and started an IV. Metro FD/EMS transported. Found out the guy didn't have a Fx, but possible ligament/tendon damage. We have had a few medicals since then, but nothing too bad.

You will have some good experience in emergency issues if you get around to doing EMS prior to law enforcement. Although we do the police function a majority of the time, it's nice to still have some significant medicals, keeps me on my toes. ;)

[noelchabanel]

EMS is sometimes like Jerry Springer without the commercials. You will love it. Congratulations!

[JSM115]

Had a call at our airport terminal of a ramp employee who got his foot caught between a pushback and a tug. No deformity or swelling noted, but I found out that the small pillows on airplanes make perfect splints for foot/ankle injuries. Wrapped the pillow with tacky tape and started an IV. Metro FD/EMS transported. Found out the guy didn't have a Fx, but possible ligament/tendon damage. We have had a few medicals since then, but nothing too bad.

Thats what I like about EMS a lot of the time you have to improvise, i'm sure its the same with law enforcement. I was thinking the same thing about having the EMS training as a cop. Just from doing ride alongs and such a lot of times LEO's beat the EMT's there or are the ones to call so i'm sure its good to know how you can help a little more if possible.

[noelchabanel]

The reason why they are always there first? They don't have to get out of bed at home when the pager goes off at 2AM, go to the station, get the truck, wait for the second licensed squad member to show up, and THEN drive to the scene. They are already out, alert, and ready to respond, it's a great thing and we love them on our department--unfortunately it isn't that way everywhere.

This time of year, with all the snow piled up around people's mailboxes the houses all look alike, and backing into a long narrow driveway at night can be scary. When the police are there first with flashing blue lights all over the place it makes getting there and getting the patient out of the house and into the truck MUCH easier, I VERY much appreciate having them there.