Where are the folks who work in Emergency Response?

[Kian]

As there are no posts here yet, I thought I'd should be the fist one to utilize this sub-forum. 

I'm currently studying justice and policing, and hoping to work either as a K9 or Animal Control Officer. 

[DeeDee]

Kian, it is a very specific request, so most folks won't respond as it doesn't apply to them.  I used to work in a command and control centre for the fire service (taking the emergency calls, sending the appliances and managing the area coverage) but that was a decade ago now. Good luck with your studies!

[KathyLauren]

I was a volunteer firefighter and medical first responder for 14 years.

 

My first department was the best.  It served an island with a population of 1100.  Being on an island, they had to be totally self-sufficient, since mutual aid would take a long time to arrive, and would cost $1000 to call out the ferry in the middle of the night.  They had three tanker trucks, and could maintain a continuous firefighting water flow for hours.

 

We did a lot of medical calls, and got to do a lot of hands-on medical / first-aid stuff because we would typically be on scene for 10-15 minutes before the ambulance arrived.

 

My second department had a lot of potential, but the training officer didn't have his act together.  Three of us joined at about the same time, all experienced firefighters from other departments.  But, since we were new, we were technically "probies" for our first year and had to show up every week.  We were getting fed up with showing up and finding no training happening.  The training officer was complaining that no one showed up for training.  So I told him, "We three are here every week; so are you.  We all know stuff.  Let's take turns training each other, and invite the rest of the department."  The next week's included a notice that "There will be training tonight."  People showed up just to find out what that was about!  Within a couple of months, we had 18-20 people attending training every week.  Soon, members from other departments were asking to attend our training, because there was nothing happening at their halls.  Major success story, and that department is now the leader of a county-wide training program.

 

My third department, well, the less said about that, the better.  Typical half-assed rural department with no leadership.  After several years of trying to help the training officer, nothing was happening.  I thought about running for Chief.  But it would take ten years to turn it around, fighting inertia all the way, and I was already 65.  So I decided to retire instead.

[Jeanette West]

I am in the middle of the "corrections" gig.  I know the politicians like to call this business "corrections", but it should be called "incarceration" as that is far more clearly the case. We don't "correct" anything or anyone.

 

I haven't had any problems where I work. 99% of the guys I work with are Native, my spouse is Native, and having lived here for some time helps tremendously.

 

It is disappointing to see roughly 1% of the population simply running in circles of the "judicial system" ruining everyone elses' lives.

[Mmindy]

I was raised in a Volunteer Fire Departmen, became a Cub Scout at that same department. Later the Boy Scouts had a bigger role in the fundraising for the department. As an Explorer we were able to take classes and become Firefighters. I volunteered and according to the University of Missouri I've been Firefighter I certified since 1977. This was only the beginning of my activity in Public Safety and County Emergency Response with a leaning toward Hazmat. It took a long time for me to figure out my involvement with Public Safety caused me to abandon my wife and kids in their early years. During one of mine and Suzie's heated arguments, she asked: "What do I have to do to get any time or help from you? Dial 911? That was when I realized my marriage was in jeopardy, and I couldn't loose that. I also learned to say no, you'll have to find someone else to do that. I didn't leave the fire serves, as a mater of fact I eventually made it my job. Another huge realization was, if you're on a committee and someone asks you do do something, and you decline, but say; Hey if you can't find anyone, call me. They just stopped looking because they had you as backup. My Suzie has always looked at Public Safety as her other woman, and hated every minute of my volunteer time. She did ease up after I started getting a paycheck though. My last assignment was in 2012 as Captain of the Truck "Ladder 81" a 123 foot stick, county LEPC resource manager and Hazmat Team Coordinator. I've owned my own business teaching Cargo Tank Emergency Response since 1999 and I'm looking to wind it down in the next two years or so. Teaching Hazmat has taken me all over the USA, and abroad. I manufacture response tools, and cargo tank training equipment that is sold globally. I'm ready to let all that go, and just be the Old Gal down the street, or in the camper.

 

When someone thanked me for my service, I returned a gracious You're welcome. I gained more then I gave, and trust me I gave 100%. It was the tax payers who educated me, by paying for the classes and workshops I attended. The most important thing I learned from responding to 911 calls, no matter how bad my day is going, someone is having a tougher day than me. I loved being the first person to make their experience get better, and began the recovery of normal. I learned to care for others regardless of their station in life. The Scout Oath as much as my Fire Academy Oath kept me true.

 

On my honor I will do my best, to do my duty, to God and my Country and to obey the Scout Law; To help other people at all times. To keep myself physically strong mentally awake and morally straight.

 

Best wishes, stay positive, and safe

 

Mindy

[Vanessa Michelle]

I am a police and fire commissioner and a former volunteer firefighter. I love our first responders and am so thankful for them (you) all! 

[Ellie Jean]

I was a wildland firefighter for five years; did some time as a volunteer firefighter, as well as a brief stint in fire forensics. I've been debating whether or not to get back into emergency response. Thinking of trying out something in either law enforcement or EMS seeing as I've done plenty in the fire department lol.

[Ellie Jean]

Except smokejumping...that could be fun; plus my former experience might help getting hired whereas firefighter training doesn't really transfer over to law enforcement or EMS quite as well. =P

[Lexi C]

wow i really impress and proud to read  some of the job statues of soon of you wonderful ladies and men. I was wondering if any of you ever get or having gotten harsh. esp V. Michelle that a huge responsibility.  

[Carolyn Marie]

It's been a bunch of years, but I was a reserve police officer for 21 years.  Worked in the field for most of that time, and did a little of everything except traffic enforcement.

 

Carolyn Marie