ME Hello, My name is Pam. I used to work on an ambulance service as an EMT-A,so that tells you that it has been awhile since I did it. Now they are called EMT-B, which for those of you who don't know what the heck I am talking about, well, it stands for Emergency Medical Technician-Basic. I have worked on a volunteer ambulance service as an EMT-B and on a volunteer fire dept. as a firefighter. I never thought I would be able to handle running into a burning building, or even just the thought of wearing a SCBA, (self contained breathing apparatus)scared me, but I did it and it was the greatest thrill of all. There is such a reward being able to help people the way firefighters do. I was the only female on the squad, but the guys were great, they actually treated me as an equal. I know it is the 90's, but there are still some jobs out there that most men and even some women think that a man should do the job. The way I see it, that is you are able to do the job, and work hard to learn it, well why not? It is one of the hardest jobs that I know of. It is very physical and emotional. But it is also one of the most rewarding jobs out there. Now, don't think that I am one of those radical womans libers,, I am not, but I do think I should have a chance to do something if I want to!!! If you like my page, please click on the link below and send to your friends. Please Sign My Guestbook, so I know you've been here!! This is a poem that really explains Firefighters and EMS Personnel I WISH YOU COULD I wish you could see the sadness of a business man as his livelihood goes up in flames or that family returning home, only to find their house and belongings damaged or destroyed. I wish you could know what it is to search a burning bedroom for trapped children, flames rolling above your head, your palms and knees burning as you crawl, the floor sagging under your weight as the kitchen beneath you burns. I wish you could comprehend a wife's horror at 3 a.m. as I check her husband of forty years for a pulse and find none. I start CPR anyway, hoping against hope to bring him back, knowing intuitively it is too late. But wanting his wife and family to know everything possible was done. I wish you know the unique smell of burning insulation, the taste of soot- filled mucus, the feeling of intense heat through your turnout gear, the sound of flames crackling, the erieness of being able to see absolutely nothing in dense smoke - sensations that I have become too familiar with. I wish you could understand how it feels to go to school in the morning after having spent most of the night hot and soaking wet at a multiple alarm fire. I wish you could read my mind as I respond to a building fire, "Is this a false alarm or a working breathing fire? How is the building constructed? What hazards await me? Is anyone trapped?" Or to an EMS call, "What is wrong with the patient? Is it minor or life-treating? Is the caller really in distress or is he waiting for us with a 2x4 or a gun? I wish you could be in the emergency room as a doctor pronounces dead the beautiful little 5 year old girl that I have been trying to save during the past twenty-five minutes who will never go on her first date or say the words, "I love you, Mommy" again. I wish you could know the frustration I feel in the cab engine, the driver with his foot pressing down hard on the pedal, my arm tugging again and again at the air horn chain, as your feel fail to yield right-of-way at an intersection or in traffic. When you need us, however, your first comment upon our arrival will be, "It took your forever to get here!" I wish you could know my thoughts as I help extricate a girl of teenage years from the mangled remains of her automobile, "What if this were my sister, my girlfriend, or a friend? What were her parents' reactions going to be as they opened the door to find a police officer hat in hand?" I wish you could know how it feels to walk in the back door and greet my parents and family, not having the heart to tell them that I nearly did not come back from the last call. I wish you could feel my hurt as people verbally, and sometimes physically, abuse us or belittle what I do, or as they express their attitudes of, "It will never happen to me." I wish you could know realize the physical, emotional and mental drain or missed meals, lost sleep and forgone social activities, in addition to all the tragedy my eyes have viewed. I wish you could know the brotherhood and self-satisfaction of helping save a life or preserving someone's property, of being there in times or crisis, or creating order from total chaos. I wish you could understand what it feels like to have a little boy tugging at your arm and asking, "Is my Mommy okay?" Not even being able to look in his eyes without tears from your own and not knowing what to say. Or to have to hold back a long-time friend who watches his buddy having rescue breathing done on him as they take him away in the ambulance. You know all along he did not have his seat belt on-sensation that I have become too familiar with. Unless you have lived this kind of life, you will never truly understand or appreciate who I am, what we are, or what our job really mean to us. I wish you could Author Unknown Here is another poem. The alarm rang, as it had so many times before. He was the first of the fireman up and out, Awakened from his bed at the station By the clanging of the bell. As Engine 3 pulled out of the bay, Dispatch paged another station. And all the firemen aboard the truck Were tensed with anticipation "It's gonna be a nice 'un, boys," He said as he donned his gear. And the young bucks smiled at him As they drew ever near. They turned onto his own street And he could see the fire's work He hoped their mother woke his kids To see their dad at work. His heart sank as he saw the home That he so dearly loved Going up in Smoke and flames As he donned his gloves. Aggressively he hit the fire And searched the rooms above. And with a flare of personal vengeance He saved what remained of his home. As he left the world of flaming hell He saw his little girl He ran quickly to her side and said "Honey, Daddy's here." He would never forget what next she said As he held her close, "I love you, Daddy," she whimpered, And he began to weep. She died in his arms that night The others, later on. His comrades gave him their respects but his family was gone. He sits alone at the station, now, There's no more spring in his step. He stays detached from his fellows to avoid once again being hurt. He risks it all in fires, now, No more concerns for his safety. He has taken a solemn vow. He won't let it happen to another, as long as he's around. -Author Unknown Some Good Links My Main Homepage Johns Homepage Great Site for Firefighters Parkwood Vol Fire Dept BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO FIREFIGHTING Aerial Ladder...................Used For better TV Reception Air Tank........................Keeps Divers From Drowning Axe.............................To Inquire Back Draft......................Recycled Beer Can Backfire........................Car Noise Canteen Vehicle.................Mobile 7-11 Chief...........................Joe Montana Crane...........................Migrating Bird Dalmation.......................Hydrant Detector Elevating Platform..............High Heels Flammable.......................Three Alarm Chili Foam............................Shaving Cream Hook N' Ladder..................Stands On Corner Hose............................Ladies of The Night Hose Wagon......................Red Cadillaac Hot Spot........................Dog In Heat Hydrant.........................Hang Out For Dogs Jaws Of Life....................Breaking And Entering Tool Ladder..........................Lassie's Brudder Moniter.........................Part Of The Remote Control Pole............................Easier Than Stairs Reclining Chair.................Exercise Room Remote Control..................Exercise Equiptment Sledge Hammer...................New Rap Group Suction Hose....................Lyposuction Tool Tiller Rig......................Plow Horse Turn Out Gear...................New Dress For Debutante Ventilate.......................Open Window Water Cannon....................Riot Control Equipment Chaos ......................... Chief Has Arrived On Scene

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