Firefighter/Paramedic Bihlmaier

FF/Paramedic Jeanie Budge Bihlmaier



 It's been said that people come into our lives for a reason. That is definately the case here. I met Jeanie almost 2 years ago, at the North Fork Fire Dept. I had started there, in 1999. I've always worked there off and on, and in this case, was asked by the assistant chief to cover a shift while he was out of town. Jeanie and I were on that shift. We worked all day, and talked and laughed, and while I was going through a very difficult trial, she was supportive and instantly protective after knowing me just a few hours :)
At that time, She had just finished her firefighter training, at UVU in the Recruit Academy. I was in the middle of paramedic school, stressed out of my mind.  She applied for UVU's paramedic program and was accepted, and also made the class president. I finished medic school, and she carried on with her class.

Jeanie and son Lander

I visited her occasionally on her ride-along shifts at my station, and we kept in touch daily. It was nice to have someone, to talk to, after a hard shift, or clinical... Someone that was going through it too.

She had been testing, and interviewing for jobs for months.  Along came Provo Fire & Rescue.  I was with her, when she received the news that she had passed the first test, and was moving on to the next one. We screamed like teenage girls that just got asked to their first dance :) She tested, was interviewed, and offered a position. Again, screaming ensued. We keep in touch now, every shift, every call, every day. It's been awesome, to have someone go through the same struggles and trials in a male dominated job. She claims I am her inspiration, well she is my motivation to keep going when this job gets rough, as well as my inspiration to be a great mom.  She is definately a best friend I'll have forever.
Congrats Jeanie, love you and SO proud of the paramedic you are, and will be...




Jeanie in boot camp, training for new job



AirMed

AirMed is an ambulance in the sky. They operate helicopters as well as fixed wing airplanes, accomodating much of the west with medical transport. They transport patients across state lines, respond to various trauma accidents, and so on. I was priviledged to ride along or, "fly along" with them in Februaury. I flew twice in the chopper, and once in the fixed wing plane to Idaho and back. What I experienced, was a level of care that I am honored to pass my patients on to. It was most interesting to see what happens when I transfer a patient to them. I had a great day, and met great, educated and inspiring people. Here are some pics of my day!

Salt Lake City

Flight in fixed wing

Learning the ropes with Ben, flight medic

Fixed wing I flew in

SUNSET, Prefect day....

NFFD

I started my EMS/Fire career back in 1999. Both at Sundance, and the North Fork Fire Dept. Occasionally, I come back to my old stompin' grounds, for a shift or two.  One fine summer a few years ago, I was helping my friend Kenny, the Asst. Chief, with some other firefighters, with controlled burns.  Wildfire, as devastating as it can be, actually helps the forest by cleaning out the dead, and promoting new growth.  We were chopping trees down, and cleaning up the dead, and burning it up.  As clutz-y as I am, you can gather how muddy my pants were after a day of this, since I'd fall every hike we were on.  There happened to be a large wildfire to the north of us, that had come very close to a neighborhood of homes.  Kenny, had put the new fire truck in, and the department, for an assist to the US Forest Service.  We were to go up and protect the neighborhood in case the fire krept close to the homes again. We were stationed and were to rotate every few hours.  We were the overnight shift. We went to the de-briefing and shift change for the night fire crews coming on. We also were able to eat dinner with them before we all started our shifts.  We got plates and sat down, just the three of us. Kenny, Stephen, and I. If any of you know Stephen, he likes his food. He wolfed down about three bites of a pasta salad, when I heard... "IS THIS SHRIMP!!!??"

I said, "um, yeah I think..." He immediately responds, "OH SH*T!!" I exclaimed, "YOU'RE ALLERGIC!!?" he jumps up, and tells me he is running to the engine for some benedryl.  After being gone about 10 minutes, I panic. I jump up from debriefing, and go looking for Stephen, imagining to find him collapsed in the fetal position, and wheezing for air. I find him, on the phone with his wife, just fine, however, full of benedryl.  We get to our post and start our duties. All three of us sat in the front of the truck, Stephen in the middle. Kenny and I are talking, watching the fire and laughing about the good old days, when I noticed Stephen, face down, dead asleep. Those of you that know me and my laugh, know it's more of a cackle and snort, than a laugh, and he wasn't budging. All the benedryl knocked him clean out. We'd move positions, and patrol around the area, discussing plans of evacuation of we needed to etc. We parked where we could see the hill, and sat for a bit. It's around 3:30am. All the neighborhood is quietly sleeping. The truck is dark, and Kenny pushes a button on the steering wheel, to put the engine into a "high idle" which is better in the engines of fire apparatus'. Instead, he hits the air horn. Without a hitch, just as if he'd been awake for hours, in the conversations, everything, Stephen pipes up, and yells.."TIME TO MOVE!!" Kenny already had the truck in gear and was driving as fast as he could out of the area, while I'm ducking, and laughing hysterically at what just happened, and that Stephen, though being knocked out, jumped up and called out our command.  Needless to say, I'll never forget how funny that night was, and how glad I was Stephen had ingested shrimp, even though it could've killed him, it didn't. And he's sitting here next to me now. Eating...

2015 Police & Fire Games

Well I'll be. I am the profile pic of the 2015 Police & Fire Games Facebook page for this week. They choose a random person, and I guess I was chosen. Needless to say I am flattered, and honored to be recognized as a 'fan' for such an inspring event! It is to be held in Fairfax, Virginia.  It is a competition amongst firefighters and police officers from all over the world. Can't wait for 2015!

UPDATES...

I graduated from Paramedic School in December,  from University of Utah, here is a newspaper article, featuring us:

http://www.heraldextra.com/news/local/north/pleasant-grove/article_cf731965-1fe5-5f82-862b-50532c112822.html