Firegirl Follies

Changing pace...

2011-10-15T18:57:00.000-07:00

As I apply for nursing school, a lot of changes are moving me forward. I am now only at 1 fire department, instead of 2. At first, I thought this was going to be a bad move, I now know I am ready to move on. I will continue my medical and fire training, while also attending nursing school. I will continue to post my training experiences, mishaps and follies. While I am saddened, to be forced to move this direction. My best advice, has come in the form of my best firend, and newly hired FF/Paramedic Jeanie, who reminded me, that when one door closes, a window opens. I am ready for exciting things coming up, Fire Officer training, beginning nursing school, teaching EMT's, and a medical mission to Haiti in March. THANK YOU for staying with me!! Encouragement is my greatest motivator...

Firefighter/Paramedic Bihlmaier

2011-08-31T22:43:00.000-07:00

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

2011-02-28T22:13:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-12T14:09:00.000-08:00

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

2011-02-07T21:44:00.000-08:00

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...

2011-01-24T13:06:00.000-08:00

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

Clinical Conundrums....

2010-11-28T22:14:00.000-08:00

As I am finishing Paramedic school this week, I figured I'd post on the interesting few stories I have to share from many clinicals. As a requirement, we have to do many hours of clinical time, in hospitals departments such as, Labor & Delivery, Operating Room, U of U Burn Unit, and most hours are completed in the Emergency rooms and riding along with fire deptsrtments. With that said, I have some great moments from my experience! I have decided, to share them with you, in the form of a "Top Ten" list:

TOP TEN CLINICAL CONUNDRUMS:

#10) BEING CALLED THE WRONG NAME....
One certain firefighter/paramedic from a neiboring agency, calling me any name but my own. My fault, however, that he asked if it was ANDREA? and I said, Mindi. Next day, "TIFFANY, right? I said yes. His captain called me MANDY. and The rest of the day, I was called KID.

#9) PATIENT PICK-UPS
Yes, picking up on me. Whilst in a breezy hospital gown.

#8) YOU'RE A FIREFIGHTER!?
The all too common conversation, was "Oh, your not a nurse?" "No, I'm a paramedic here getting clinical hours" "OH! YOU are a firefighter?!? "Yes." "My sons, brothers, cousins, dogs nephew, is a firefighter, but he doesn't have a job yet, can you get him one?" or "YOU are a firefighter? but your a girl... is that hard?" Yes.

#7) OLD MAN STORIES
Let's just sum this one up in a few words, since I still get frustrated thinking about it. Old man. Me. Hospital room. he's not happy. I get to hear it all, for probably 45 minutes.

#6) WASTING MEDICATION
We practince IV's and giving certain medications. I drew one up, was pushing out the air bubble, out of the syringe, my "air bubble" was the medication. Oops.

#5) CREEPY BACKDRAFT MAN
As I'm standing at the nurses station, I notice a greasy, odd man staring at me as the paramedics wheeled his friend into a room. He approached me, and it was an instant "personal space" issue. "So, you're with the Fire Department?" "Yes." now, at this point I'm ready for the normal "wow you're a girl stuff...which he said, but then it went verrrry...akward." "I just watched Backdraft, and man, you guys are really great, carrying kids out and stuff, man that's so great. I can't believe you do that, can I shake your hand?" Uh, movie magic there fella. He shook my hand, which I immediately sanitized, and tried to stay busy. He decides to leave, comes back to my personal space to let me know I'm the most beautiful firefighter he's ever seen, wants to shake my hand again (immediate sanitation follows) and leaves. I thought I was free and clear.... Not so. I then went into a room helping a gentleman with chest pain. I started and IV, had the curtains drawn in the room, and as I'm drawing blood, this crazy shows up again "JUST wanted to say HI! HI!!" really.... Hope he gets a copy of Backdraft for Christmas.

#4) TUNNEL SINGER
In between the Primary Childrens Medical Center, and the University of Utah hospitals, is a long tunnel connecting them. One day after a PCMC clinical, I was making the long walk back to U of U. Interestingly enough, hardly anyone was in the tunnel. I heard a male voice, singing. As I got further in the tunnel, it got louder. I finally saw a man, sitting on a bench, singing his heart out in spanish. I wondered if he knew I was coming, but as I got closer, I noticed he didn't care. He kept singing, and it made me smile. He had an amazing voice, and although I didn;t know the words, it touched me. I wondered what he was there for. Waiting for his wife that was ill? Or a child? I'll never know. But after a long hard day, he'll never know how much he made my day. I passed him and he kept singing. It faded as I walked away, but my smile stayed affixed the whole drive home.

#3) BURNED
As a form of extra credit in the semester, I was allowed to attend a apecial burn class for Fliht medics/nurses and Burn Unit nurses. As part of the 2nd part of the day, I was to be made up as a burn victim. They were all required to pass some practical testing with those of us that were made up as victims. I got the uh, easiest one (sarchastically of course). Electrical Burns. I had to form my hands into half claw, half fists and dip them in wax, over and over. The wax feels like typical 3rd degree burned skin. Once I had dipped so many times, I had to keep them stiff, for 3 hours. 3 hours. 3 hours!! They painted the make up on and I laid on a table and tried to act burned. I did have a very nice view, of some nice looking flight medics though :)

#2) PASS OUT
I had a night shift in an ER. After being there for 5 hours, I was standing at the nurses station, and felt a little sick. I thought it was since I hadn't eaten all day, so I ate a granola bar. We had 6 traumas in 5 hours, and I was running around helping other nurses, and finally had a minute. After deciding I didn't want to announce I was sick, I went to the last trauma to help the nurse. It was a patient that had been beaten severely, and was covered in blood. I started to clean him up, and suddenly, my hearing faded, going, going, gone. I looked up and a white tunnel closed in on me. I grabbed the side of the bed, took a deep breath, and slowly stumbled over to the nurse. "I think I'm passing out..." She grabs me, and sits me down where she can watch me. I pulled off my surgical gown and mask, and she said, "OH, you are PALE!" I told her I had seen many a trauma victim, I was so worried she'd think I couldn't handle blood!! So nerdy. I sat for a minute, then left. I cried the whole way home out of embarrassment. Turned out, I had a flu bug.

#1) HIVES vs. NIPPLES
My greatest story ever. A woman came in after suffering an allergic reation. We gave her 3 different medications, to help the reaction, her breathing, and the hives. Her son, was speaking to me in broken english, about how I was a paramedic. She started to come around and he asks me.. "When do her nipples go away?" I reply, "Excuse me?" he says, "THE NIPPLES, when do they go away??" he then points to the bumps on her face. I respond loudly, "HIVES! HIVES!.....HIIIIVES"

CHEESEBURGLER...

2010-09-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

It is a long running tradition at the fire house. Practical jokes. After all, what better way to pass the time, and have a little fun at your fellow firefighters expense? I have yet to work a shift, where no joke is played on me, another firefighter, or us to another fire station... This day was no exception. Myself, being the non-sarchastic spice that I am, was in the kitchen with a few of they guys one shift. I opened their fridge to put my snacks for the day inside. I noticed, all neatly plastic wrapped, a cheeseburger. CHEESEBURGER. wrapped in plastic. Now, keep in mind, these guys work 48 hours, go home for 96, so my mouth started running. "WHAT IS THIS??" they all laughed, they usually throw away leftovers, but this little guy made his way back into the fridge in case somebody wanted a snack. At that point, I was challenged, to place it on the deputy chiefs desk.... Me? avoid a challenge? NOT so. I walked casually by, noticed he was gone, and left the perfectly wrapped cheeseburger on his desk. We giggled like school girls, waiting for him to return to his office. He did, and was meeting with our vehicle maintenance guy. I walked past and noticed, he kept on going, moved the burger forward on his desk, and kept on going. I walked in, grabbed it, and he said "UH, yeah, what's that about?" I casually walked out. I then was challenged to put it in the captains office. I snuck in, and we noticed his bag still on his bed. We placed it in the bag. After that, I asked him, "Hey Cap, I need some socks, would you happen to have an extra pair??" He said yes. After much anticipation, he finally went into his office. I stood by the ambulance in anticipation, when the door speedily cracked open, and the cheeseburger FLYING at me, it hit me. Right in the keester. We laughed forever. After that, my partners grabbed it. We were called out to a mental patient, female. I was of course the only one she'd talk to. I was talking with her, when outside one of the guys asked another firefighter if he had anything in his pocket he could snack on. Stan reaches into his pocket, and there it is. Cheeseburger. After the call, I got into drive the ambulance back to the station, on the dashboard?? Cheeseburger. We went to train at a burn fire prop we had, and reaching into my mask bag to get it, what did I grab? Cheeseburger. That thing followed us half that day, until we started throwing it around at each other, and it finally, bit the dust. I miss my little friend, but know he is in a better place... the trash. Here are some pictures from the infamous cheeseburger day.....

Jake, Britt, Cap Jolley, Stan and Chase

Jakes bloody nose, wish I could say from the cheese burger, but not so...

Calendar shoot....

2010-07-29T21:51:00.000-07:00

I was asked to be in a firefighter calendar, where all proceeds go to Shriners Hospital. So how could I say no!? Photo shoot is in a couple days, Stay tuned for the updates, I just might never live this one down....But hey, I've always idolized pin-up girls, its my 15 minute pin-up fame!!

Scavenger Hunt SWAK

2010-07-28T13:36:00.000-07:00

One fine Saturday, we all gathered at the station to set up for a holiday event. I walked up to the bay, and immediately, all the guys were pointing at me, and laughing and saying "Mindi will!!" uh oh... talk a bout a set up. It was for some sort of a scavenger hunt. They were to get a kiss from a firefighter, so of course they set me up for it! As we sat around waiting for everyone to get situated, 2 more groups came. Now, I'm always for putting on make up and saying "all firegirls are pretty," this day, we'd have hours of work ahead in the hot sun, so there was not a stitch of make up on. I posed for numerous pics kissing the cheeks of the young and old alike. If I get my hands on any, I'll post them, but to the spouses of those fellas I kissed for the scavenger hunt, I apologize. Not thinking they're too worried though, I looked quite scary that morning :) Hope my teams won!! MUAH!!

Drive Thru

2010-07-14T13:41:00.000-07:00

Recently, I had been up at the University of Utah, helping with an advanced burn lecture, where nurses, and flight paramedics were tested on how to treat and transport critically burned patients to the nearest burn center. I was to represent the "electrical burn" I was moulaged, to have both arms from the elbows to my fingertips, severely burned after an electrical accident. They dippied my hands in wax, several times, and I had to hold them in a "clenched" position to represent the extent of my injuries. On both wrists, were black burned holes, to represent entrance/exit wounds, from the electrical current. I sat for the next 3 hours, with waxed, clenched hands to test the flight medics and nurses, and learned SO much!
My niece and I met up, and decided to go get something to eat after both our busy days. We went to a fast food restaraunt, in a different city than I work in,made an order, and they had us pull into "lane 2." We were chatting, laughing, and talking about our days. I kept rolling the window up and down to hand my money, etc. I left it down for a second, and continued to talk with her and look ahead. I heard a small, sweet voice, "Excuse me!?" I started looking around, thinking I hadn't paid enough, or something like it, to notice a sweet, roughly 10 year old boy, in the car next to me smiling... "Hi, YES?" I said. "Are you a firefighter?" he asked. "Yes I am, where have you seen me?" He said, "Your sticker, on your car..." I started to laugh, and said "OH! ha ha, yes!!, Do you want to be a firefighter too someday?" He said, "My dad does, he's in Paramedic school right now." Just then his mom rolled her window down and said, "yes, he knows you, he's in the UVU program." So I smiled and said how great it was, and that it is a great program, She then asked, "don't you work for LifeFlight also?" I said, "No, I wish, only really good paramedics do!!" We laughed. I then waved at the boy, told him I loved his haircut and to come see me at the station sometime. He responded by saying he had been there and sat in our tiller, and I told him how much I loved working in the tiller. We said our farewells and left.
I thought a lot about him that night, about how sweet, polite, and how he was fascinated with what I do for a job. It was nice to feel a little guy was so proud of his dad, and new my job, and recognized me in such a random place. I reminded me, of how I am always being watched when I wear the uniform, or drive with the sticker on my car, our fire plates etc. He made my week, and was a great beam of sunshine for me that day. I love waht I do, for the very reason, someone like him wanted to talk to me in a drive thru.
(pictures to come....)

Priceless...

2010-07-04T20:44:00.000-07:00

A drawing made of me, by my littlest biggest fan, Shey. I love it! I can't wait to frame it :)

Jazzy Man

2010-07-01T17:25:00.000-07:00

Great day at work today. Beach volleyball, small fire, and getting to work with a fun crew. I think I laughed so hard I have a six pack (I wish)... My partner and I were assigned to cook lunch. After we all had our workout, and a volleyball game, we headed to the grocery store to shop for the goods. As we finished up, I noticed an older man following me in a jazzy. He kind of crashed into an aisle, and smiled at me as he said the controls are sensitive :) He then said, "Can I ask you a question?" I replied, "Certainly sir.." He stared off for a bit and I waited in anticipation... what was he going to ask? for my number? A question protesting the fire department? If I'd help him shop? My mind was swirling..... he finally said.. "Do you follow the ambulance?" To which confused me a bit... I was in the ambulance that day, but in the grocery store I had my fire pants on, so he assumed I was just a firefighter, as most people don't understand we do BOTH jobs these days. After I figured it out... I answered, "Yes, we do, I am working there today in fact." He then proceeded to tell me of a call that he thought it was me, helping him, and said he looked up to see a "beautiful blonde angel" assisting him. I bit my bottom lip so I wouldn't cry, because I'm tough right?? He then went on to say, he wanted to talk to me, and express his thanks for us helping him. He said he may need help again sometime, I told him I'd be there and to call me anytime, and that he has my number...911

Canoe:1 Cranium:0

2010-06-29T09:07:00.000-07:00

I feel that I can write this, now that my bruise, and the shame of it all, has finally gone. My last shift at the fire station, was pretty boring. Helped a poor lady that fell out of her wheel chair, hung with the boys, and we all turned in for the night. A fire call came out around midnight. Smoke visible, not sure where it was coming from. I was in the tiller that night, so we drove to the neighborhood it was reported in, and circled...and circled... and circled... for what seemed like forever. We finally found where we thought the smoke was coming from. Captain Cluff told me to get out, talk tothe homeowners, and ask for permission to enter their backyard to look for the fire. I jumped off the truck, and just had my t-shirt and fire pants on, not fully "turned out", or, not fully clothed in my gear. I searched around, (Of course, all the junk in the world resides in this backyard) couldn't find it. Came around front, where the rest of the crew was fully turned out, and each doing their own assignments, setting up ladders, using the thermal imaging camera etc. I decided to go for my gear, which was still in the truck. Now, before I go ANY further, I'd like to point out, I'm 5'2" I usually miss a lot of stuff overhead. I walk in between a car and a pick up that are parked in front, when... CRACK!!! I looked up, at a long, ugly fiberglass canoe sticking out of the stupid truck. It was a blue color, the same color as the sky at 1am, therefore it was completely camoflauged. Now, what's the first thing I was asked by people? "Were you wearing a helmet?" To which, I hang my head in shame, that I was going to get the flippin' thing, when this happened. Whats even better, the crowd that gathered to see what was going on, sat and watched the whole thing happen. Not a smile, not a laugh, not an "are you ok?" nuthin... I grabbed my gear and put it on, ducking my head the whole time. What's best about this story?? The lady barking at us for the smoke aggravating her asthma. She then walks 10 feet, and what else? Lights a cigarette. She then asks the captain, "Isn't the fire smoke SO bad for my asthma?" His response: "Nothing more than that cigarette is doing...."

PARADE

2010-06-21T22:33:00.000-07:00

This past Saturday, was the Strawberry Days parade. I have always been excited to walk in it, as 4 years ago, it was what made my decision to return to the fire service. I saw them walking, and ran into an old friend from another department, Jason. He told me to come and train with them. Later, I met the chief, and decided I'd work my way back. The next year, after being hired on, I was ecstatic to walk in it!! Although, my entire family was out of town. I walked and loved it, but it was a downer for me, knowing nobody knew my accomplishments. The last year, I decided not to even walk. I had some other work things going on, and decided I'd avoid it. This year, I knew I had to. I have no marriage anymore, and knew possibly I'd have some family. But I did it for me, to walk with my friends. It proved to be AWESOME. So great. We displayed the last 100 years, of fire service, starting with a hose cart, the our old fire truck, and an engine, then our new tiller truck. We all walked behind it. I had people yelling my name, other people clapping and cheering at "the female one" and I high fived children along the way. The best moment, was an odd duck walking down his driveway, asking me to come over to him. I ignored and kept high fiving. Once he caught up to me, he claimed... "Ma buddy had a flower for ya, but he chickened out!" I ran closer to my boys LOL. Such a funny moment, as I typically have them. I saw my nephews, and my parents, and my nieces family all there waving. It was great, and a great moment for me to see how far I have come, and how much more I still need to accomplish!

Symbol of Strength...

2010-05-08T21:50:00.000-07:00

From the beginning of time, fighters have been known for their courage, bravery, and their strength. Along this line, falls the public safety heroes, military of course, and medical workers. These are our fighters. Recently a big change has begun in my life. The most difficult time I have yet to face. I cannot begin to describe, how broken and fragile I am, despite the responsibility I owe to the citizens I work for. Firefighters are a major symbol of strength. What I'm learning about myself most through this, is that while I am required to maintain my strength, it is impossible for me. Until, I walk through the doors of my fire station. A fire captain relies on his crew, for them to perform the required duties he assigns each call. A partner, relies on his partner, to back him up in all ways of the call, two in, two out. And as a team, we rely on each other to make it through the smallest of medical issues, up to the biggest home explosion disaster. What I have learned, is although I am the weakest at this point, my brothers some how have enough strength to spill over to me. While my captains rely on me to work smart, they have no idea how much I rely on them right now, and they more than support me. While I feel most alone, and usually choose to be, I have never felt more love, and caring, than I have of my brothers and sisters at the station. A true circle has formed around me in a way I can't explain. I'm scared of ever doing anything, to break that loyalty circle. The community relies on me when they dial 911, but I really rely on them these days. It's a pleasure to serve someone in need, when you feel so broken you can't breathe. You forget about it for a second, and I am thankful to help in their time of fear. I've always been a proud part of this extended family, and so honored to be a part of it. I will never know how to repay them for carrying me through this time in my life, but needless to say, I feel as though as instead of 2 in 2 out in my emergency, its me in, and 55 carrying me out. They truly are, my symbol of strength. Thank you, my fire family.

Lil' Heroes

2010-04-06T23:33:00.000-07:00

Ask any little boy you see, and what does he say he wants to be when he grows up?? A Fireman. Some say police, but they realize they are better than that, and move on to firefighting :) At the station, we typically do tours at the fire station. We show the scout group, class, church group around, and answer questions. They all have similar questions, and the thought of sleeping over and "living" at the station they can't believe. They all love the trucks, but who doesn't! We sneak in fire safety tips, and safety lessons in hopes of prevention. Last month, I had a very special visitor. Shey. She just turned 3, and calls me "her hero." The tought of it, makes me misty eyed. Never once growing up, did I want to be a firefighter. Not until age 20. Every little girls dream is a princess, a mom, a movie star. The thought that she is impressed by my job, makes me the proudest I'll ever be. Plenty of boys have run through the station, and I've heard the various banter.... "whoa, a girl!!!" or "are you a fireman, er fireperson??" The utter shock nearly sends them to the floor. Or if I'm asked where I work, and I answer, the common response is.. "Oh, like a secretary?" Coyly I reply, "Not even close...." Shey came to see me, with a little cousin that was also a girl. I showed them where I ate, slept, and the stinky boys I work with. Shey loves ambulances, and asks her mom when she see's it, if I'm in it. She sat in my seat on the fire truck, and as any girl would notice, loved the red seatbelts. She talks to her mom about the "fire place" often and asks when she can come back. Her visit was just the dose of motivation I needed. A little 3 year old girl, who loves my job, and that we both love the color pink. I'm amazed that she is entertained at the idea that I ride around in big red trucks and help people. Who knows what Shey will do when she grows up. However, with her ambission, and spit fire personality, I know it'll be something amazing. She reminds me of someone I know too well ;) She truly motivates me to be proud of myself, and to work harder, for all the little girls who will fill the boots someday!! Thank you Shey!

Wear your seatbelt!!

2010-04-01T15:59:00.000-07:00

A couple of powerful links:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRw8pbtN1WI

http://www.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6kYqjTA_VEg%26feature%3Dfvw&h=377a2508af892bb8439ab43b95de9815

Geri's

2010-03-28T23:35:00.000-07:00

In the past I have professed my love for the oldies. People that is, geriatrics. I like to call them blue hairs, or "Geri's." They bring their own set of challenges for the medical world. Illness, thin skin, fraile bones, crazy vital signs, and with that comes a history. Not a medical history, but rather a history of amazing lives, service, and hard work. I love nothing more, than to take care of these patients in the back of my ambulance. Boy do they pack a punch... not physically, but verbally. I'll never forget, a lot of the sayings, comments, complaints and swear words I gather from them. Some would be astonished at the way they behaved in my care. Trust me, I do not judge them. They bring with them a legacy. I try to never forget that. Without them, where would our country, our communities be? My heart aches when I see them truly suffer. It is bitter sweet, when they pass on. I know they are relieved of any pain, and suffering, but what stories and that of their legacy is lost... Some of my favorite patients, were the meanest ones to me, and I giggled constantly under my breath at them! In fact, I'll share with you, a couple of my favorite "geri" quips...

we travel in six, four on an engine, two on an ambulance, this way we are always prepeared. This gentleman thout it was too many...."How many of you does it take to screw in the lightbulb??" to which my partner Brian answered, "Depends on the lighbulb..."

different call...Me, "How's your pain now sir?" his response... "It'd be fine if it weren't for these GOD-DAMMNED BUMPS!!" I apologized for the roads...

sweetest, little old lady looks at me, and says "will you wipe my crack?"

the common favorite, "I need my TEETH!" so I find the teeth...

"get my wallet!" ma'am, I have it.. "no you don't, you don't know where it is!" ma'am, I have it, "No you don't! its in the kitchen," ma'am I have it, "no you don't!" ma'am, I've got it! "well I need to show you my medications!" ma'am, I saw them, "No you didn't!" ma'am, I did. "NO! you didn't!" ma'am, I did, and I noticed you took them this evening, by your empty day-of the-week case..."Oh."

another common favorite, "Leave me ALONE!" well, you called us to come help you, "well don't touch me!" ok, do you need to go to the hospital? "NO!" ok, why did you call 911 then? "because I needed help!" ok, well let us help you then, "LEAVE ME ALONE!"

I have to giggle in the most professional of ways, but I can't help myself, bless them. I can't remember how many homes I've been to, that the walls are covered in photos of children and grandchildren. Or the veteran, whom has scores of military photos and medals across the wall. I love to hold their fraile and bony hands, some of them not knowing where or who they are, to just give them a sense of comfort. More often than not, their hands are freezing, from poor circulation. As upset as they are, and as rude as they can be, I always think of their loved ones, and the history they carry with them. I try to always remember I'll be in their place someday, and hope someone will treat me kindly and with dignity. In a lot of cases, it's hard for them to feel of importance anymore. I try to make sure the 15 minutes they spend with me, I learn from them. Too many times I've visited homes where it seems they are forgotton. They just need assisitance getting back into bed, and want to talk to you all day long. I'll never forget, a sweet older gentleman I was called to transport back to his care facility. As I got him settled into his room, he began to point out pictures of his horses, and the various things he had hung on his wall. I sat down and let him show me. He showed me picture after picture, and my partner had to come find me. I told the man I had to leave, thanked him for showing me everything and hoped he take care. As I left, I noticed a picture. Then, the name on his room door. It hit me, that I knew who he was. His son had worked with my father on the ambulance, and was a firefighter for another city. While he'll never know that I had spent time with his father, it struck a chord that I need to respect my elders, for he had taught his children well. I had heard of stories where his son had been a great friend and partner, to my dad, I'm thankful for that.

The "I can't" syndrome...

2010-03-22T13:43:00.000-07:00

Yes. I did. I signed myself up. My fire dept. runs the marathon as a group, and I wanted to be a part of it. What am I thinking? Seriously. I'm told time after time, how it's nothing, and you can walk that in 30 minutes (not really, but you get the point) and I believed all the lies. I used to be an avid runner, I dunno what happened. I do have the height thing waaay against me on this one. I'm slowly but surely trying to train, but what gets me is the "you can't" I hear over and over in my head. Now I'm all about, positive thinking and accomplishment for everyone, even my worst enemy, but for the life of me, I can't do it for myself. When I made it through fire school, twice I might add, I had never been happier. Mostly because I told myself I couldn't do it through the entire process. Not to mention, plenty of people against me in the class. But I'll never forget the people who pushed for me along the way. More importantly, I'll never forget, a special moment I shared, with a now deceased firefighter in my first run through fire school. Mario. He worked for a fire department to the south of me, and also one to the north of me. He worked as a flight medic on a helicopter in the area as well. That day, he was working at a fire dept...I tested for my fire skills there, and as I walked out, he stopped me and asked how I did. I told him, "I think I did ok to my surprise!" I wil never, ever forget his face lighting up, his true and genuine excitement that I had done well. He lifted his fist in an "alright!!" and I don't think I could have ever known, how powerful that really was going to be. At the time, it was incredibly huge, that a career firefighter, and a male, was so supportive of little old me. I think I beamed for months after that. I bumped into him a few more times when dropping of patients at hospitals, and was always reminded of his true, genuine attitude towards me, and I'd beam for months again. Tragically, he was killed a few years later. I'll never bump into him again. But what I do have, is that memory, some 10 years ago now, of him being so proud of me, and excited for my accomplishment despite knowing me personally. I was so insecure of my size and being female, and still am. He made my career, with about 30 seconds of his time. With that said, you never know how much a small thing can impact someone. I'll train, and run in the marathon with my fire brothers, and at the end, I'll be reminded of Marios face, after my fire testing, his approval and his pat on my back, will always be a constant reminder to me that "I can."

KB wins

2010-03-07T23:15:00.000-08:00

While I've always been a fan of the Oscars, the dresses, the hair, the jewelry, I have always shouted the disclaimer, that teachers, police, fire, EMS, should recieve such publicized honors as much as actors do. I spent the evening with my close friends, one of which I have known throughout my fire/EMS career, Cody, who is now a captain where I work. We had a fun night, and myself and my best friend Julia, were cheering on Kathryn Bigelow in hopes she'd be the first female to win as a director. She won. We screamed and hollered and were SO excited for the huge step she made for all women. After, her film The Hurt Locker won for best picture as well!! We screamed again, and neither of us have seen the movie. After the other two men gave their acceptance speech, one pulled her to the microphone. She dedicated her previous Oscar win, to the men and women serving in the military, and rightly so. This time, she dedicated it to the men and women in uniform everyday, Fire, EMS police, etc. My jaw dropped.... I went silent for a second then completely tried to hold it together (especially in front of my fire captain...) that not only we were recognized at the biggest event for all of film, but that it was by the first female winner. Major props, Kathryn Bigelow. Thank you, for the recognition...

Little Feet.

2010-03-03T23:20:00.000-08:00

My poor duty boots have had it. They are barely holding it together. The zipper has gone out, they wont stay on, they are officially ready to retire as fire boots. I thank them, for the many calls they supported me on. However, a problem has emerged. My feet are so blasted small, I can't find small enough boots. This is a classic tale, and small boots are hard to come by in the fire service, as your typical firefighter is rough and tough and bulky and manly, not short, chubby, petite, and clumsy. I went to our supplier today, and "oooh'ed" and "aaaah'ed" over many a pair, to which I was SHOT DOWN with each request, as they only came in mens, and not even close to my size in mens or womens. Now, being the shoe freak that I am, I have NEVER been shot down for shoes. I have an entire closet dedicated to my shoes, and buy a lot at a time, so this was new to me. I am typically lucky, as my shoes are sometimes on sale since the lot has been picked over and the smallest and largest are all that is left. The salesman took me over to a catalog, to which he thumbed through for any of the monstrous black superhero lookers I wanted, to no avail. I was excited that they could possibly be ordered in, but that was also shot down. I told him thank you, bowed my head and turned around towards the exit. As I left, it was pouring rain, just as I felt. The search for boots is on. In the meantime, so is the search for the munchkin fire department in OZ, where I belong!

Delicious Bass..and THANKS!!

2010-02-09T10:54:00.000-08:00

I'm trying something new today. It's called tilapia, and I'm scared. The fellas a t the station are making me eat their fish for lunch. I'm trying to eat more healthy, so hopefully it wont tast like it. I asked my partners on the truck today, Jake and Britt, what I should write about, and they said "a delicious bass....." I am hoping that I rather enjoy it, as if we get any sort of unpleasant medical call, or a working fire, I may be in trouble. Things at the station are slow so far today, I'm studying, Jake and Britt are working on some fire tests, and the rescue is off grocery shopping for our bass. While I'm thouroghly enjoying my day, I would love to get a much needed nap in, or "safety nap" due to my latest squabbles in insomnia land.

THANK YOU

On a more serious note, THANK YOU to all who follow this site, and to all who just stop by for a gander. I really love the comments and notes I get, from any and all people. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart, for checking out my blog, it truly is entertaining to write, especially knowing you stop by for a spell :)

gadgets and gizmos...

2010-02-06T22:17:00.000-08:00

Can I just say, I love my job. I know it's silly, but I can't think of a better shift thatn my last one. It started off with a night of paramedic school. Loving it, it's hard but so worth every minute. After, My partner JAke and I went to Wendy's for food, since I was whining forever about starving. We were too scared to drive the ambulance through the drive thru, as it was so tight, and the lobby was closed, so we uh walked through the drive thru. I've never giggled so hard. I thought I was so naughty!! We then got some drinks in the gas station for our comrades, to where I ran into an old freind, as Jake was preppered with questions about our new HUGE truck, and why we drive it everywhere. REALLY? why do we drive a FIRETRUCK everywhere?? Cuz we are firefighters, see, and we need all sorts of gadgets and gizmos, that we have no way of knowing will be needed on a particular call. It's essentially a womans purse, or diaper bag, only bigger :) UH, should we be on scooters carrying a wee axe, and hope it covers our needs? duh dude. Anyhow, we sat aroung the kitchen table for a good 30 minutes as a crew, laughing, joking, and chatting the night away. I have to say, I love those guys. I'm constantly hugging and jumping on them like a wee spider monkey, because I feel like their little sister. We then watched a movie, and most everyone went to sleep. I went to my room and organized all my paramedic study materials and slept for an hour or two, but loved that night. No calls, which is not as fun, but good for the general public.

Schooled Me...

2010-01-24T00:12:00.000-08:00

After my first few weeks of Paramedic school, I am perplexed. Genuinely mixed, about the flood of emotions. Excitement, entrapment, overwhelmed, annoyed, inexperienced...just to name a few. I am so back and forth, its comical. I know, I know, I am a woman. I am insecure, yet indestructable. I am up, then down etc. You get the picture. I have to say, that for being an EMT for 10 years, I can't believe how much knowledge sits in my many books. The paramedic book alone, being 2000 pages. I always thought a knew the job, was comfortable, and confident--yet never knew how much more I could have known in that time. How much more I could've done. I am loving the new information I am learning, and can't wait for rotations, to put it to good use. Hopefully I will study enough, and retain enough, that I can love my almost perfect job even more. I am nervous but excited for the next few months in school, and hope that I keep a good attitude as it is quite demanding. I look forward to the day, that I can sew a red patch onto my dress shirt, (wish it was PINK...) and step up my game just a little bit more each day that passes thereafter!!

The quest begins...

2010-01-10T00:45:00.000-08:00

And so, it begins. The quest through paramedic school. I have to say, I'm excited to learn more heart rhythms, as I was having palpitations at the sight of my paramedic books. The main book, easily 4 inches thick. The second, all about heart rhythms. And the rest, we haven't received yet. I think my heart just about jumped out of my chest. I've never been so scared in my life!! I hope I am ready for this challenge. I hope I can at least pass, but actually learn a lot to apply in my job. And finally, I hope to have enough confidence in myself, to continue school and finish my degree. We shall see. Only time will tell. I turn 30 in a month and that is CRAZY to me, as I imagined myself in a very different place in my life by now. I am pleased at where I am, and the goals I have achieved in my career (although slim) but hope to continue to strive harder at the millions of goals I have still set for myself! Stay tuned, at the experiences that will come with both work and school this year, I'm sure many follies are just waiting to unveil themselves!! Thank you, for reading!! It truly is, the greatest outlet for me...

EVACUATE!! Anyone?

2009-12-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

When you are growing up, in school, home, etc. Isn't the typical lesson involvong fire safety and emergency, earthquake, to evacuate immediately?? Yeah...thought so. The latest follie involves those, who couldn't be bothered in an emergency. I was working for a neighboring city, covering their station as they had a funeral for a past fire chief to attend. I was in the utility truck, with my best pals Jake and Ryan. We had a slow day, which involved walking to a gas station, and lunch (thank heavens we ate). We were only a few minutes from getting off shift, when a call came in for an alarm involving "water flow." Typically, to us who take everything worse first, this meant a fire. Water flow=sprinklers trying to extinguish. Or, the less emergent..a pipe break, someone smoked by a sprinkler, BBQ....We jumped in our turnout pants and headed to the call. Now being I worked in this city, according to the address, there was only one way to get to the area in my head, which was to go more north and then south because of the way the subdivisions are set up. This was wrong. We circled around a few times, before finally figuring out it was a business, and finally a hotel. We checked on scene just a minute behind the engine, but still I felt like an idiot. We jumped in our gear, and the incident commander gave us our assignment. My partner Ryan and I headed into the hotel. We went through a side door, to a gush of water streaming down the stairs. We propped a door open to allow it out. We climbed the stairs to the fourth and highest floor where the problem occured. Walking down the hall, was like walking in a shallow river. The water was rushing and about 6 inches deep. We made it to the room where the break had occured, and a fridge was pinned against the door, so the pipe broke with so much force it threw a fridge across the room. We did our assignment, and then doubled back for information on the resdients. No one had evacuated them. Alarms had gone off, water gushing, etc. I know if it were me...I'd be gettin' the heck out. My concern, was the power. We were working on getting it shut off, but we all know about water being a conducter of electricity, so if we had an exposed wire or anything, we'd all (including the residents) be toast. We started up and down the hallways, knocking on doors. Now if a firefighter came to my door, I'd first be embarassed I wasn't already out, but second, I'd grab my spouse and get out. We were met with the same non-chalant responses at almost every door..."what's going on?" "I have to leave?" "What about my stuff?" All while they are laying on their beds since the water is licking at the base of the bedding. They have no idea there could've been a fire elsewhere, and no idea of the electricity situation. This became a long...long process, of evacuating four floors of the slowest people I've ever seen. Then, after power shut off, they wanted to go back in for things. Now, to the high point of the story. Finally, some entertainment you say?? you bet. I walked back into the lobby, in one of my trips in and out, and heard.... "OH MY G--! A FEMALE FIREFIGHTER!! I AIN'T NEVA SEEN ONE BEFORE!!" I looked up, and saw a black gentleman staring at me in awe. I said, "hello sir! nice to see you!" and shook his hand. I kept walking to do whatever our next job was. Then, I'd walk out and would hear a roar of banter from he and his family "there she is!! look at her go!! THE FEMALE!! go PG!!" My partner Ryan just smiling the whole time. At the end of our duty, I saw a news camera following me around. If you are on the news, name and all, you owe the crew ice cream. I hid behind the fire engine, put my air tank away and came out, he followed me more. All while the one family stared in awe at the first female they'd ever seen. I decided to record the news, in case I was either buying ice cream, or getting some free :) It showed a small clip of an interview with a lady saying she had to evacuate. And lo and behold, guess who walks past in the background. The fella who was enamoured by the female firefighter. He threw up a peace sign at the camera and walked past. I smiled to myself, that I made his day, but really, he made mine...

'til the cows come....snort??

2009-11-25T18:47:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd post this, since it's so fresh on my mind. It happened yesterday. The whole time I kept thinking...good blog material here. I started the shift with some exercise. Most days, exercise is required in the mornings we work. This day, we played volleyball. I was pretty bad, seeing how short I am. But I talked some good smack, and gave it a valiant effort...notice the photo of my arm... now that's effort. We did some station jobs, and made some lunch. After that, a call came out. Then another, then another. 3 all at once! We went to a car accident and called for 2 other city ambulances to back us. After that we all came back to the station. I was sitting up in our family room with my friend Chase. A call came out for a fire. We ran downstairs and got our gear on. We headed to the address, and did see smoke. Once we got there, we noticed the property owner trying to burn the reminants of an old camper shell. What was interesting, was that he was blocked in on all four sides by other homes. We stood and surveyed for a bit, on how to get the tiller truck close enough, to the fire. Of course the panicked neighbor is waving and pointing "hey!! blah blah blah, blah blah!!" Can't hear a word, but we laughed that he's probably pointing out the fire to us since we were constructing a plan, he must've thought we couldn't see the giant flames licking and the black smoke. My partner Jake and I, went around back to see if we could access there. there was a barbed wire fence and field, seemed like a no go. But the captain told us it was our best option. What that meant, was a lot of hose dragging. The truck came around, and Jake and I grabbed hose and tools. We got to the fence, which normally we'd cut open but there were two cows in the field. Being in the fire department means, if the cows are loose, we'll probably be the ones to have to wrangle them. Jake said he'd help me over the fence,

and he'd hand me the hose, then he'd hop it. Here's the first folly. Me. Wee me. Climbing a barbed wire fence in all my gear including my airtank, which is all roughly 50lbs. The fence would give, and my gear would pull me backward! Jake was pushing my airtank trying to help me over. He'd tell me which leg to kick, but for some reason, I couldn't move easy. Oh BARBED WIRE...that's why. I finally gained the upper hand and got on top of the fence to where instead of a graceful, professional descent..I fell straight to the ground. Of course, fire, ambulance, trucks with flashing lights all draw a crowd. I'm sure people loved the sight of that. My bag carrying my mask was ripped. I then began to drag the hose through the fence toward the fire. Not being a farmer of any sort, I thought cows just stood and ate grass. No, they were wondering what I was doing on their turf. The were walking up to me, sniffing me and the hose. I was trying to do my job, but not get charged by a cow too! I admit I was a bit nervous. We hooked the hose up and put the fire almost out, to which we ran into some water pressure problems. We sat there for a bit as the engineer figured it out. As the last of the fire smoldered, the cows descended on us.

They must've been territorial, or were embarrased at the sight of their many cow pies, I still don't know. They were screaming at us and snorting and such. They came down the wee hill, and walked right into the smoldering fire. I assumed they understood me, as I was informing them that area was "hot dudes," but they ignored me. What happened next, I'll never understand, or forget my old man wheezing laugh, when both of them stopped, took a potty break, and a poopy break right in the middle of our fire. They turned around, snorted at us, and walked off, I'm sure laughing. That's what they thought of us I guess. There are a lot of citizens that aren't fans of the fire department. Now I know, a couple of cows too.

House Fire...

2009-11-20T01:31:00.001-08:00

Ever heard the term "light at the end of the tunnel..." How about, "nudie calendar at the end of a fire..." yeah, didn't think so on the latter. Here's that story. One icy cold winter morning, a page came out for a house fire. Smoke visible. I was at home, and immediately jumped out of bed. I grabbed my shoes and ran out the door. I drove down to the station, as the first engine and rescue drove to the scene. Yep, they confirmed a house fire. I was pulling on my turnouts along with 4 other firefighters at the station. We all jumped on the second engine, and went en route. I sat in the middle of the front with the Lieutenant and Engineer. As we rounded the corner, I saw it. Thick white billowing smoke! We arrived on scene, and immediately checked in with the Captain. He gave me the job of shutting off utilities. Found the power, shut it off. Found the gas, shut it off. As I was finishing, another firefighter grabbed me, and said he needed a partner in transporting a patient. I jumped in the back of the ambulance, and we sped off to the hospital. The patient had some smoke inhalation, but was otherwise ok. We stopped at the hospital for a quick drop off, and headed back to the fire. The initial flare up had been put out at this point, but the fire had crawled all through the insulation. It was the old blown in paper insulation, so it spread fast. Teams went in two by two to search for the existing fire and put it out. I waited my turn. Captain Jolley came to me and said, "you're going in, get ready.." I grabbed my mask and helmet and went to the engine compartment that held our air tanks, or SCBA's and grabbed one. I put it beside me, and started to take my mask out. What happened next, I will never, ever forget. I had long hair, and felt someone grab my ponytail and start shoving it down my coat. I felt someone else tucking in my hood. I felt someone else pick up my tank and put it on my back. Someone else, zipping my coat. In fire, we are trained to get our gear on and air pack in under 2 minutes. Our department requires 90 seconds. I bet that was 20 seconds. I had 5 different firefighters encircle me and get me situated. I have never felt so loved and taken care of like I did that moment. I was in disbelief that they cared enough about me, to make sure I was suited up right and safe. I grabbed my tool and partner, and as I left them I felt a few taps on my helmet for good luck. We headed in the front door to a smoke filled mess. We had to pull the ceiling down, do find the crawling fire. I grabbed my tool, a pike pole,

and began ripping the ceiling down, oh yeah, ripping it down. There was a section still burning, and one friend told me to come and knock it down. I walked over, grabbed the nozzle and heard an uproar of muffled laughter as all of them laughed at me trying to lift the nozzle above my head to reach the spot I was aiming for. My height mixed with the water pressure, was quite the dance....We all spent the next 4 hours, pulling down ceiling and knocking out the fire. At the end of it all, there was a large pile, about 5 feet or so, of all the ceiling, wall, light fixtures, and everything we had pulled apart. It was a mushy disaster. As we all stood around it, and surveyed the scene, there was something that caught my eye... On the top of this pile, was a poster, or picture of some sort. I spoke up..."Is that what I THINK IT IS??" To which I grabbed my flashlight that is attatched to my coat, and shined it on the picture. Yep. It was. A naked woman. A naked calendar. Apparently, it was on a wall, and although we had to tear the whole ceiling and walls down, into sheet rock mush, Miss Nude Nellie survived the hose and plethora of fire tools. In fact, she was nestled into the pile right next to the ceiling fan, or what was left of it. After 5 hours of heat, and hard work, I left that scene with the biggest smile I can remember. Was it the donut

I had during my break outside? No. Was it nude Nellie? No. Was it the 5" hose that came apart and drenched the cop from the waist down? No. Was it the brothers I worked side by side with who took care of me, and watched out for me and trusted me to do the same job? Definately.

Torched...

2009-11-13T23:39:00.000-08:00

I'm sure I drew your attention, by the title of this post. A nifty fire story perhaps? Not so... not yet anyhow. This is a story (another one) of embarassment. Hence, the follies. I'm sure most of you remember the beloved 2002 Winter Olympics here, in Salt Lake City. I remember them fondly, but not in a nostalgic, warm fuzzy. More like a cheek-flushing red kind of warmth. 'Tis yet another folly, of karma. Our ambulance was to be stationed at certain places along the torch route, as different people ran it through the city. Our first stop, was by the hospital, where none other than Donny Osmond himself was running past.

We sat there, freezing, and waiting, freezing and waiting. Finally, a flicker or a spark if you will, of what I thought was the torch. YES! I might be done here soon! No, it was a flicker and a spark from Donny's white teeth and rock hard shine spray in the coiffed hair. Still, he carried the torch. Flashes flickered from all angles as all the ladies in Utah County squeeled and photographed him running past. I looked at my partner and giggled, raised a pointer finger into small circles above my head, and rolled my eyes whilst screaming "WHOOOOPEEEE!" No offense, to you Donny fans out there. Our next job was to take the back roads and station ourselves at another stop, where the torch was lit in the city, and then continued on into another. We made it there to a HUGE crowd. There was a band, speakers, the whole thing as a big celebration of the torch lighting. The other ambulance, got a call into the city. We stayed at our post. Of course, someone all excited and flustered from the celebration, collapsed. We ran to the patient, and started care. We found out, this patient had a heart condition, to which we take very seriously. We loaded the patient up and I was the designated driver for the day. The only route out, was the motorcade behind the torch runner. That was the route I chose since all other roads were blocked with the run and parties and such. I turned on my lights, and followed the procession. I started flipping the siren here and there, as a little "woot woot" to alert the motorcade that I needed to get past, or through. Of course, they think I'm part of it, so I flip the sirens on more. Ifinnlay move out and around it and flip my siren annoyingly, to get through. I look to my right, and through all the mayhem, didn;t notice until now, that the torch runner, was right beside me.

Here she is running along, and her backdrop is an annoying lit up ambulance that looks like a 12 year old hijacked it. I stopped and my cheeks were immediately hot. A motorcycle cop finally noticed once running along side the torch chick, that I was needing to get this poor patient going. He rode up and asked where I needed to go. I told him, and pointed to a road on the opposite side that would get me out of the torch mess. So, what does he do? He stops the torch procession, and lets me cut over. I ducked as I drove through it, hoping not to be noticed. By the time I made it back to the station after that, I was known as "woot woot."

People think of the pin trading, and the famed green jello pin, I think of almost side swiping the torch, and snuffing it out.

Asphalt!

2009-11-09T22:10:00.000-08:00

During the summer, every city has its celebration. A week of events, set up to celebrte the heritage of the people who live there. Each city's celebration is similar, but there are a few differences in each celebration. Most cities have the carnival, the parade, baby contest, fireworks, the whole 9. One city, had what is called a burnout. It aslo had a car cruise too. No rodeo grounds there, I guess. The car cruise is self explanatory. People with old cars restored and such, would drive up and down a closed off road to show off the hard work. the ambulance I had worked for, would always have an ambulance on hand and medical people stationed at the areas. Quite a few years sadly, someone was always hit. I hated the car cruise for this reason. I love old cars, and like the parade they did, but they would circle around and get all excited a the crowd and speed off to cheers, sadly as a child would get too close to the action and be hit. I tried to always avoid working it, becasue of this. Instead, I chose to help out at the burnout. I had lived there for 22 years, not knowing what one was. I had just come off a call with my crew, and we parked the ambulance in the driveway. The burnout was happening on the same street of the station. I walked over and stood in an appropriate area to watch. For all city activities that week, we were to wear our white dress shirts...

As the burnouts began, I was finally introduced to this, "activity?" I admit, I sat an laughed to myself, for a good long while. For those of you who may not know, there are trucks lined up off to one side. they pull in one at a time, to a wet spot that is made from a garden hose and a gallon of bleach poured there too. the truck gets in position, and on the announcers count, they rev the engine and spin the back tires to emit smoke. That's it. If you add the bleach, more smoke and even colors appear. That's it. The crowd of people on either side cheer, and cheer more. I kept asking myself, how much beer they drank to cheer for something like that. This was to go on for a couple hours. I thought and still think, it is the biggest waste of time I've ever experienced. Well, as I had these thoughts, karma struck. The next truck in line pulled into position. The engine revved up, and the tires spun. Smoke barrelled off them. Right then, I felt a piercing burn and stinging just above my right collar bone. As I jumped and yelled, I felt two more on different spots on my chest and stomach. I turned to my partner... "Tyson, what's on me?" he replied, "Your neck, theres a white spot on it!" I grabbed at my neck, and the "white spot" was my melted skin. It fell into my hand. I felt the other spots sting and my neck was throbbing. A firfighter grabbed me by the hand and took me to the ambulance. I looked in the mitrror and noticed a 2 inch by 2 inch hole in my neck. I opened up my shirt, and foound 2 bits of tar-like spots on my stomach and chest. I grabbed and they were stuck to me. I peeled them off and they took my skin too. The tires when they spin so fast, literally melt, and a piece of melted rubber had hit me right where a normal t-shirt would've protected me, but I had the button up on. I cleaned it out, and really hated the burnout the rest of the time as my neck throbbed. That was my last night of work, as I was leaving to a dance workshop, and then Los Angeles to take dance classes for part of the summer. For my classes, I tried to cover the burn with a bandage, but would sweat it off. It looked like I had a bite there! I always wondered if in class the instructors were looking at me dancing, or trying to figure out what the devil happened to my neck. To this day I have a scar. I tried a procedure in hair school, to tattoo it with a "dry needle", meaning it had no color on it, to try to stimulate the pigment of my skin to come back, it didn't work. I learned my lesson that day. Never work a burnout. And if you do, never, ever, make fun of the white-trash and their entertainment, especially, where bleach is involoved.

My Hero...

2009-11-06T11:32:00.000-08:00

The biggest reason, I chose to do this job, was my dad. He was in the first 100 EMT's ever in Utah. He worked for American Fork Ambulance, for 11 years. Growing up, I was (and still am) a daddy's girl. There wasn't anything he could do wrong in my eyes, he is my hero. I remembered hearing the stories, of car accidents, and plane crashes by Utah Lake, that he would respond to. He had the funniest stories and fondest memories he'd share, and he did it all volunteer. I would listen and not realize all that he did in this job, but think that he was the biggest hero I had ever known. He quit eventually, after a lot of them thought it was wrong to be paid. It was also stressful on my siblings. I have no doubt, he'd have done it much longer. Now the biggest fear I always have had, is responding to family. I would have nightmares that I would go to an accident scene, and a parent was trapped in the car and I had no extrication equipment to get them out. In June of 2002, my nightmare became reality.
I was working the ambulance one sunny day. A call came out, for a motorcycle vs. a car. I drove to the station, and took my place as driver of the ambulance. I flipped on the lights and siren, to which the police told us not to come in "code 3" meaning, no lights and siren. My mind went to, an obvious fatality, or the motorcyclist is ok. I drove to the scene, and as I was pulling around the police cars, and accident wreckage, I noticed that one policeman and one firefighter, looked me straight in the eye and had deep, sorrowful, looks in their eyes. Never, has that happened. I pulled around, and saw my worst nightmare. My dads bike. I remember, throwing the ambulance into park so fast, I don't know how I didn't break something. I screamed, and immediately began shaking and sobbing. Through the windshield, I saw him. He was looking at me, smiling and waving, to let me know he was ok. As he was waving, I noticed a large chunk missing from his hand. I flew out of the ambulance, and ran to his side. I hugged him, for what seemed like 5 seconds, but was probably mintutes. I kept asking where he was hurt, and in my panic, was going in and out of the ambulance to get supplies. I remember my legs feeling like jello going up and down the stairs. I never could get any supplies, because I couldn't remember where anything was. That ambulance was the back of my hand, yet at this moment, it was foreign to me. Finally, my partner grabbed me and told me to sit down. He said he'd take care of supplies, to just stay with my dad. The big burly fireman, and policeman came and hugged me. I knew now, what their eyes were trying to tell me. As I sat there crying and shaking, I noticed a few things.
First, a stripe of paint on the corner of the curb, the color of my dads helmet. Next, a large scrape and chunk out of my dads helmet. Third, a piece of my dads bike, across the street on the lawn of a business. And finally, a large dent and bend in the ramming bars on the front of the truck that hit him. Of course, I cried and shook even more. My dad was hit, thrown, and tumbled a few times before hitting the curb with his head. He remembers his helmet spun around, and he kept himself from going unconscious.
The week prior, I had responded to a similar looking accident. The motorcyclist had no helmet. He hit the curb the same way. We fought for him in the ambulance long and hard, and passed him over to a helicopter waiting at the hospital. He passed away. He had no chance after suffering severe head trauma.
My dad didn't regularly wear his helmet. Today, he did. I am thankful everytime I see him, that he chose too.

My partner cleaned his wounds, and I took him to the hospital after the nightmare was over. His arm was three times its normal size, from hitting the ramming bars. He also had major road rash. We went to the emergency room, get his arm x-rayed, and his wounds cleaned out. To this day, he still has limited feeling in his fingers, on the arm that was hit. I can honestly say, that was the worst day of my life. I will never forget it. My mind has twisted the ending into so many "what if's" that I drove myself into major anxiety. To this day, when I am called to a motorcycle accident, my stomach drops, and I instantly have to calm myself into not vomitting on the spot. I understand however, it is what he loves, and it makes him happy. He now wears his helmet everytime. After the hard work he has and still does everyday for my family, he deserves every happiness, and he will always be my hero...

Angel...

2009-11-05T12:24:00.000-08:00

I have to admit, that most of my absolute favorite patients ever, are from the older generation. "Blue hairs" I like to call them, or you medical buffs, geriatrics. Funny, funny people. They live the simplest lives, although they have so many ailments as time goes on, its heart breaking. They have the frailest, fragile bodies, and I love to be able to come and help them take care of whatever they need. Some of my most rewarding calls, come from the sweet little lady who has fallen out of bed. Of course, as the call is coming in at 5am, I am groggy and bothered that I have to get out of my warm bed, but then realize what a blessing it is to get in and out of bed on my own. We get to her, place her back in bed, pull up the covers and depart. I sometimes have to catch myself, from a kiss on the forehead, as I feel for these poor souls who are awakened by hitting the floor! Now, on the other hand, come the old timers with the funny attitudes and potty mouths. Love them. I know that any call with this type, I typically leave smiling, after the slew of profanity for hurting them, bothering them, or telling them what to do.

One lovely day, a few years back, I was working for a specific city ambulance. In this department, for some reason I was not required to wear a uniform at all times. Jeans, cowboy boots, whatever. I had always worn my EMT pants, for the many useful pockets and the somewhat professional appearance they had, but on this particular day I had a red zip up hoodie on. My captain at this establishment, couldn't get my size figured out for whatever reason, and my jackets were always about 6 inches too long on the sleeves. Nothing like an extra long sleeve to drag around in someones blood, or attempt an IV in, please...
On the front of this hoodie, was the word "ANGEL" in cursive writing. We were called to transport an older gentleman, from his home to a dialysis lab in another city. The trip would take around 20 minutes. We got him in the back, and I sat next to him on the bench. My partner that day, who was also female, sat on the other side and was filling out our paperwork. Our patient laid there and we talked the entire way down. He wouldn't answer my partners questions, only mine. I continued to monitor him and we conversed the whole trip, and I could tell he was comfortable with me. As we pulled in to the lab, I told him we were going to get ready to take him in. To my surprise, up came his arm, and it went right at my chest level, from one side to the other!! He said, "What's this say? ANGEL?...I've been touched by an ANGEL!!" as he um, brushed his hand across my goods. I grabbed his hand, and put it down, and we dropped him off. At that moment, yes I was a bit stunned, and laughed it off... But I know now, he WAS comfortable with me. Too comfortable...Needless to say, I will never own another piece of clothing with 'ANGEL' written on it.

Nicknames...

2009-11-02T21:52:00.000-08:00

Over the past 10 years in this job, I have acquired many a nickname. A few to list, are Shorty, Short stuff, mini me, Skippy, Nitroglycerin, Lou, etc. Only a few have lasted the duration. One in particular, comes with quite the story to back it up, which will be this week's post. This nickname, is Wednesday....a few of you are already laughing (assuming a few actually read this) because you have already hear this classic tale of medical call follies.

One late summer evening, while working at Sundance, I was sitting in my office. The safety office. Had only been an EMT for about 4 to 5 months. A call came out, for a hiker who had fallen while climbing Stewart Falls. I grabbed my car keys and headed up the road to where we jump on the trail to get to the falls the quickest. Once arriving, I grabbed my oxygen bag, and my medical bag and headed up the trail, or so I thought. After hiking in shoulder length stinging nettle for about 20 mins, I realized I must have taken the wrong trail, or no trail at all. Having never been to this are before this, I sort of panicked. I heard the water streaming down, and figured the path was by it. I got to a chain link fence, and climbed up and over it WITH the bags. By this time, I was exhausted, covered in mud, and my arms swoleen from stinging nettle. I decided, to drop my bags and find the trail. In the meantime, the entire Search and Rescue team, had made it to the patient, packaged the patient and were getting ready to descend down. I climbed and crawled through more foliage, and finally stumbled upon the trail. I looked up the trail, and saw the stretcher with the Search and Rescue, coming down, so I walked in front of them all the way down. I got to the bottom, where I met up with them, the ambulance, and my boss, Kenny. After shooting the breeze for a bit, where I kept my head down from embarassment, I admitted I had dropped the bags to find the trail. We then set out to find the bags. Back through the mud and stinging nettle. It was getting dark. Luckily, we found them and I though my ordeal was now over. I wanted to crawl into a hole. We made it down, and by my office my boss said, "Let's go in and get you some dinner," I said, "ok" and started walking towards the kitchen. He said "wait a minute, put this on," handing me his fire brush jacket. I declined, saying I was fine, and wasn't cold, my arms were just red, swollen, and bumpy from being stung. He insisted, I declined. He insisted, I declined, then, his face went bright red. So I asked, "what!?" to which, his response was..."you have a giant HOLE in the back of your pants," to which, my top half turned to catch a view. Now normally, oh ha ha, a bit embarrassing, but whatever. But this day, I had chosen to wear, school bus yellow day-of-the-week underwear, with the word WEDNESDAY across the back. My friend Chris, had bought them for me as a joke on a trip to New York, and I just showed them to all rescuers on the scene, the patient, my boss, and all the creatures on the mountain. Ever heard of wearing clean underwear in case you get in an accident? Well, never wear bright yellow Wednesday under things either, even if you are the rescuer in the scenario...

Turnout, to Turnouts!

2009-10-24T20:51:00.000-07:00

From about age 5 and on, I danced. I started as a ballerina, and from there tried all forms. Ballet was an interesting thing for me. I learned a lot of discipline, and great dance technique, however it came at a price. It was insanely expensive. It was also, insanely hard and hard on me. I quit around age 14, when I decided that instead of ballet everyday right after school for 2 hours, and Saturday mornings, I longed for some form of social life. I also did not have the ballet body type. I am short, stout, and muscular, not long, graceful, and lean. I was weighed weekly from age 10 on up. Kind of hard on a girl....

Now, the humor in this, is a big part of ballet life, is what is called, your turnout. The way your hips turn your legs out, so that your movement is accurate. If a ballerinas turnout was off, everything was off. In the fire world, the bunker gear we wear into a fire, is called "turnouts." Ironic you ask? No. Both require dedication and discipline, however, it has taken me a while to find my true turnouts. What made me think of this, was my testing a few days ago, for Paramedic school. I had flown in the night before, from Phoenix. Of course I woke up late, and ran around the house finding all of my dress uniform gear. After speeding to my test site, I jumped out of my car and tried to take some deep breaths as I walked over to the building. But something caught my eye...I noticed on the building next to it, a ballet poster. They always suck me in, I want to know what is showing, who is performing etc. I look up at the buildings sign, and notice it is a ballet school. The director of the ballet, school, was a girl both myself and my sister danced with. After dropping my chin, I saw myself in the buildings reflection. No leotard and tights, but a blue dress shirt. My gold badge and name tag flashed in the sunlight. I gave myself a smile, knowing that I was headed into the building that truly made me happy. So what if it wasn't ballet. I absolutely love dance, I always will...but it no longer holds my heart.

Must be this tall to ride....

2009-10-16T07:45:00.000-07:00

Recently, the department I currently work for, purchased a custom built tiller truck. A large ladder truck, that has a separate encasement in the rear, for a "tillerman" to drive. It is such a monstrousity, it requires 2 separate drivers. What is funny about me, and this truck, "Tillie" I call her, is yes...the size difference. I am, just over 5 feet tall. this beast, is 66 feet long. I can stand up inside the cab. I have been learning what tools and toys are in the compartments on the outside. What's sad, is I can't reach a lot of them!! During my last training, one section was modified, (so I like to think) for me to pull a bucket out of the lower compartment, to reach the higher one! It's quite comical, that in a world of "safety first" and on a large edifice like Tillie, with more ladders than any vehicle this side of the Mississippi, I use a bucket to reach the goods. The first time I met the creature, I stood next to her, and circled her many times looking for the height requirement. The dorky wooden creepy animal with its hand risen "just so" yeah, just so I can't ride it. Luckily for me, there were none around... I got my first ride in it, and for the intimidation it is, I could've easily mistaken my seat for a plush recliner. She truly is a spacious gem. Now, getting in and out, is another story. Good thing I took years, of dance training, little did I know my high kicks and split leaps would come in handy in the career of my choice. As for now, Tillie and I get along just fine. Her tires just about pass me in height, but hey, I like a good pair of heels myself. Needless to say, I feel like close to a million bucks riding around town.