An Anniversary

[hsguy]

50 years ago today I started my career with the Fire/EMS service. I had prepared for an entirely different career path and fell into it and don't regret a moment of it. I graduated from the first Paramedic class in our state in 1972. We were unleashed upon an unsuspecting public with no mentors or experienced practitioners as we were the first, some scary moments. Hopefully we did more good than harm!

In addition to my regular duties I then worked as a teacher training new EMS students at 3 hospitals and a junior college which was extremely rewarding.

I worked in the field for almost 37 years before I retired as the senior Paramedic in the state. I started as a youngster and now have gotten old but enjoy great memories and a bunch of stories, a few of which are actually true.

Like many here, I have seen the best and worst of life. I have always tried to celebrate the best and live my life with a positive attitude, it is all too easy to fall into cynicism and despair and I always endeavored to impart that to my students and those I mentored.

 

[Golddollar]

Thank you for your service, and for following my dad's advice:

If the older generation didn't pass its knowledge down to the younger generation, we'd still be living in caves.

 

[dasnake]

Careers

Sept 25, 1972, that was my start date, time sure scoots does'nt it, hope your enjoying your retirement like I am, its been 12 years since we got together in Chicago, hope we can do it again one day, take care.

 

[Old cop]

My screen name says it all. I wandered into law enforcement when I got out of the Navy in ‘68 & retired 30 years later. Just turned 74 and feel lucky to have made it this far w/my wife & family intact. Congrats on your retirement, but especially your positive outlook.

 

[The Analyst]

Congratulations. I commend you for all of your wonderful accomplishments and maintaining an optimistic and positive outlook when it is not always easy to do. May good fortunes and wonderful blessings continue to be with you.

 

[Jon651]

I retired from fire/rescue and EMS several years ago after 30 years in the profession (plus a year+ on the ambulance squad in college before that). I started out studying marine engineering...

Back in the 1980s I can recall our "save rate" (now called ROSC, the return of spontaneous circulation prior to arrival at the Emergency Department) for cardiac arrest patients was between 4-5%. I used to joke that anyone who survived the experience probably wasn't dead to begin with!

My hat's off to you and anyone else who worked in our field up north in the winter - something I fortunately never had to do!