Publication of a transplanted EMT

Bit of a rant

2012-01-19T20:38:00.000-08:00

People make me mad. I know I haven't posted much in a while and this is bit of a rant... but I just don't get it. I'm alive and breathing... breathing thru many different orifices because I have about 50 holes in my back. I don't know why but in a way I feel like I've been abandoned by a few people I thought were "friends". I've extended the hand in attempt to reconnect and it's been denied && well it hurts. I guess the main reason why is because I haven't realized what I did wrong. (if anything?)Ohhh but I'm sure I did something becauseeee people wouldn't just get a complete attitude and rude demeanor toward someone with NO apparent reason (sarcasm). I guess I just don't know how to deal with this internally and don't wanna hurt anyones feelings so I'm just ranting. People will come and go the true ones will stick around.

I really don't care anymore at this point. Thanks for reading.

Shots fired while working a scene...

2011-07-13T07:31:00.000-07:00

Last night, I was working with my normal partner, we were pulling back into the station at around 2200hrs when Comm dispatched us to mutual aide a neighboring EMS/Fire agency on a roll over. Upon arrival with fire we find one Ford F150 rolled over onto the driver side in a pasture. We initially thought the patient was still in the vehicle but once we investigated we found that he was extricated himself thru the passenger door. The windshield was shattered, debris scattered everyone. A neighbor approaches us and related he was the one who called it in, he said the driver was drunk, climbed out of the vehicle and ran into the woods. The fire crew shined their flashlights into the woods when a voice began yelling "You'll never get my MFers!!" started laughing and yelling other explicit phrases. My partner and I were searching around thru the rubble looking for drug paraphernalia or evidence of alcohol when we saw a piece of paper stating that this patient was MHMR (Mental Health & Mental Retardation). There were several bystanders and neighbors at the scene giving us detail as to what happened and they slowly went back to their residences or left. PD and DPS arrived on scene and went to search for the patient in the woods. After about 30 minutes or so of looking in the woods they began searching nearby residences. Then all of a sudden we heard 5 gunshots in a row... We were monitoring SOs channel and one deputy said he heard gunshots and asking dispatch to do a roll call. My partner and I fled to our ambulance and advised our comm that shots were fired, and we would be staging until further notice.... (A sound like that will make you pucker anytime if you don't know who its from or where its going!) All deputy units were clear and they went to investigate the area some more. They met up with the property owner who advised he was out searching when he saw a snake and decided to shoot it. Bad idea dude. (Believe me, I am ALL about killing snakes.... but not when something like this is going on.. and 5 cops searching the area!! Also, if he had to shoot a snake 5 times, he must have some bad aim. LOL) I'm glad that that was all it was.. We only stayed on scene a few more minutes until we were cleared by DPS with no patient found.

That was the first time anything had ever happened to me like this. Still gives me the goose bumps thinking about it! Glad everyone was okay though, except for Mr. Copperhead!

Until next time, be safe out there.

Breaking it down to a personal level...

2011-07-11T15:58:00.000-07:00

Life is good. My career is great. My relationship is great. My family is great.

Just to give everyone an update on what I have been up to the past few months.

Work is wonderful! I'm still rocking Johnson County Fire Dispatch B shift! I love it just as much as I did when I started! My supervisor actually selected me to help interview a new dispatcher candidate the other day. I was stoked and felt like this is a stepping stone to me bettering myself in the field of dispatch!
I have recently stepped up and filled a (temporary) full time position with CareFlite, one of the EMTs on C shift was injured at his other job and I'm filling in until he gets healed! This does take away from one of my days off, but the benefit of it (other than more money) its this truck is located at my boyfriends fire department, so I get to see him there too! Our county has for some reason, decided to burn down. Massive grass fires on different ranches- its been keeping the fire boys pretty busy.

A few weeks I dispatched 3 of our departments on a large grass fire on a ranch and the next phone call I received was an assistant fire chief requesting an aircraft, ground ambulance, and next department because one of his fire apparatuses rolled over with a FF trapped inside. The FF extricated himself and was transported for minor injuries, but the truck is TOTALED! So glad he is okay. Scariest call I've ever dispatched.

Christopher is wonderful! I'm deeply deeply in loveeeee. Ya know- I've dated guys before and can honestly say before Chris, I have only been "in love" once. At those moments I'm sure I thought I was in love.. but with Chris I get the same feelings over and over again. The same feelings like I got the 1st time. Even after 8 months of being together our relationship is still strong. I can't wait until he gets to meet my parents. We have a week long vacation planned for next January. We are going on a 7 day cruise with like 50 of our friends- setting sail from LA and heading to Jamaica, Grand Cayman Islands and Cozumel Mexico! I'm stoked and couldn't be happier!

My family is astronomical (most of the time)! LOL Jessica is still cancer free and spending the summer with my niece, Chassidy, in Colorado visiting family. I miss everyone so much and hopefully I get to plan a vacation home soon to spend some time with them... not sure when it's gonna happen though.

Well that is all I have for you now!

Until next time, be safe out there! <3

K2 Incense... Really?

2011-06-04T14:43:00.000-07:00

Okay, so the new fad going around now and days is this "K2" and other brands of incense- that are directed to be used as aroma therapy but people smoke it. It is a synthetic made substance, basically it's a "fake marijuana." and if I earned a dollar for every 911 call I responded on or dispatched for a possible overdose on K2... then I would be able to buy a full tank of gas. It is so popular, because you can't be tested for it. It cannot be detected in your urine for a drug test and it still gets you high.

Well, you know what else can't be done.... If you were to die while being ODed on K2... there is nothing we could do about it.. Well, we could do chest compressions and tube you, but there is no way we can reverse the effects of this crap. There is no drug that we carry that could pull you from that poisoning state. Honestly, if you are going to smoke something.. I would rather you smoke real marijuana. No joke. I tell all my patients this all the time. This stuff is deadly and I hate to see the state of uncontrollable chaos people get in after they get "messed up."

I just wish people were more educated on it.

Rant over. Thanks for listening (reading).

Until next time be safe out there.

Things like this....

2011-06-04T14:25:00.000-07:00

I know it has been awhile since my last post, but what can I say.. I am a busy busy girl.

After working several days in a row, jumping back and forth between ambulance and dispatch, I had a few hours off yesterday. Those few hours I was very thankful for- being able to lay in my own bed without phones ringing or tones dropping. However, I did agree to help a friend out and cover his shift last night. I went in at 1900 hours and worked a 12 hour shift. We ran several calls- I swear it felt like a full moon because everything seemed to be an overdose, EToH, or pysch call. We even posted for several hours..... leaving us with very little sleep &&&&&& I had to work dispatch this morning. I literally left the station and came straight to dispatch and had to take a shower. I tried to lay down and catch a nap after I arrived in dispatch but I couldn't get comfortable. Me running on less an hour of sleep was not the best idea.

I am generally what alot of folks would call a 'nice' dispatcher. I am always very respectful and never give anyone an attitude. I am very passionate about my job but today I had little patience. I can recall one fireman calling in complaining about something and I didn't take any smack from him. He seemed somewhat shocked because I don't usually do that- I would say I cater to most of their needs and get everything taken care of that is in my possible power. I wasn't rude, I was just stern, which still isn't usually like me.

Anyway.. back to my original story. I was sitting here running the radio for a few calls I had units out on when the phone rang- my partner was busy so I answered it. We are required to record all controlled burns (folks wanting to burn brush, tree limbs, or trash.) This particular gentlemen was wanting to inform me that he wanted to burn some brush on his property. I usually carry on a short and sweet conversation with these folks- but like I said.... today I wasn't feeling it. So I asked for his information... wrote it down and then he asked about the weather, wanting to know how the winds were today. I don't always keep the weather up unless its bad so it took me a few seconds to find and locate it. He patiently waited and then I told him that the winds would be less than 10mph and should be safe for him to burn. Before he hung up- this gentleman said "Miss Stephanie...?" and I said "Yes sir?" He replied "Thanks for always being there...." and before I could respond, he hung up. I got tears in my eyes.. I stood up, walked over to my partner and gave her a hug.
The words that this complete stranger spoke to me- made my day... Turn my tiresome frown upside down.

It's the things like this that make me love my career even more everyday... It brought a smile to my face.

Until next time,
Be safe out there.

I was in the paper!!! Group effort

2011-04-27T14:09:00.000-07:00

North Central Texas was under some large wildland fires. I had the opportunity to take part in helping out with these. Check out the article below that was posted in our local newspaper. :)

Group effort

How to deal..??

2011-02-14T07:28:00.000-08:00

People die, everyday. It is a way of life. And working in EMS... we see it all the time. Whether death is by natural causes, accidents, crashes, or on purpose. No one likes it.

A couple weeks ago, for the first time, I saw a patient die right in front of me. One minute he was up and talking to me... the next minute he was no longer breathing. My crew and I did all that we could to attempt to bring him back. I was flustered. It tore me up pretty bad- I was mad after the call. It seemed like everything went wrong.

Granted the patient was older, and had a pretty extensive health history. It may have been his time... but I tried to change it and failed.

My partner and I went over the call, talked about everything that happened. Actions that were taken and the outcome. We didn't do anything wrong..... it just happened all on it's own.
Since then, I have talked to a few other medics about the call and they all agree that it seems like I performed all the right things- and we are not to blame. But there is still that little bit of doubt. I think there will always be that bit of doubt when any call goes down hill. Makes me question if I think I am even ready to become a medic.... To have ALL responsibility in my hands.

Until next time be safe out there.

Relationships and EMS.... uh oh.

2011-01-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Well... I think we have all tried it. If we haven't then we have definitely thought about it. Whether it's your partner on the truck, a nurse at a hospital or someone from another service... It is there. My particular situation happens to be a firefighter from a department in the county I work for. Uh oh.

I was dating a FF when I first started my career in EMS and I swore I would never, never, never, never, never, EVER date one again... I guess that's why they say "never say never." Because... here I am. In a relationship with a firefighter. I wouldn't say I would kick myself, because things are going really well. At first I was very skeptical, but now I have faith.

EMS isn't the only thing we have in common, but it is a big part of both of our lives. My career comes first, it has since day one. Nothing can change that and he spends a lot of time at his station. Since word got out that he and I began talking, 96% of my friends have been supportive. Everyone thinks we are two peas in a pod. It's a good feeling when your people are favorable.

But I guess, this is no more of a risk than being in any relationship. 50/50 chance if things go well or don't.
Guess we will see! But as for now, I am happy. That is what matter most.

Until next time, be safe out there.

Not supposed to happen to people like us..

2010-12-28T05:44:00.001-08:00

Sooooo on my way home from shift the day before Christmas Eve, I was coming through downtown Ft. Worth in the inside lane, when an 18 wheeler came into my lane and pushed me into the concrete wall that was separating oncoming traffic.

A few of you that know me a little more than others know that I am a country girl, and my truck is a tank. Chevy 1500 HD with a 4in lift kit, wide A/T tires, grill guard and bumper. The truck driver was obviously just drifting into my lane & when he did, I hit my horn.... and he kept coming over. That's when I stepped on my brakes and over corrected trying to avoid a collision with him, & hit the concrete wall.

I am okay, but my truck was my baby. My world.

I was still in uniform, but I freaked out. I went from doing 70 MPH to 0.. way too quickly. Witnesses pulled over and came running toward me while I was on the phone with dispatch. MedStar was 1st on scene. I was frantic. My driver door was slammed against the wall so I had to climb out the other way. I hopped over the wall with the EMT and proceeded to walk to the ambulance. Fire had not made scene yet, so people were still flying pass us.

The EMT kept asking if I was okay, I told her I was fine, but I couldn't stop crying and just kept saying... This isn't supposed to happen to people like us..

Bystanders said the truck driver stopped up the road and FWPD went up there, but were unable to find him.
A wrecker came and picked up my truck, I have a rental now... and now it's just sit and wait to find out if it's totaled or not. :sad:

I'm pretty depressed now. This sucks.

I am very fortunate, and glad that I am okay... but :(
It's not supposed to happen to people like us..

1st full arrest = 1st save

2010-12-19T15:07:00.000-08:00

While working a 24 hour shift the other day, I had my first student on the truck with me. She is taking EMT classes online when she had to ride with us. It was her first time stepping in the back of an ambulance, first ride out, first call, first everything.. and I was her FTO..... Holy crap. That's scary.

I had just got off shift at dispatch and went to the medic station. After checking off my truck, my partner from dispatch calls me up saying how his relief was in a car accident and he will have to hold over. He had been working all night so he was a bit cranky and said I wouldn't be getting any first responders, not on P1s, P2s.. Full arrests.. Nothing! He was joking of course but...... 10 minutes after we hung up, my tones dropped.

64 YOF full arrest. CPR in progress.
My 1st full arrest. Family members were doing compressions when we got on scene. We applied pads and shocked her. I jump on compressions, my medic was attempting an IO, and I was trying to talk my student through hooking up a BVM. The IO was unsuccessful, and he began to attempt intubation, also unsuccessful- last resort, king airway. Once he got the airway, first responders showed up and one just happened to be a flight medic with our company, he got an IO and started some atropine and epi. Other FROs took over compressions. We shocked again, when we got a pulse and was able to get a BP!!! We then called for an air craft. We maintained a patent airway, fluids and drugs.

Aircraft landed, and transported the pt. She ended up dying later on a the hospital, but it was a save in my book!

I'll never forget the feeling of ribs breaking beneath my hands...
The rookie didn't do half bad, definitely a first call worth telling about.

Until next time, be safe out there.

Leaving on a jet plane..

2010-12-04T10:52:00.000-08:00

Well, tomorrow I get on a plane and fly to South Carolina to see my sister and rest of the family. Feel like I'm forgetting something. I haven't even packed my bags, maybe that is it. LOL

Jessica is going to be on chemo the whole week I am there. I will see her at her worst. I'm not too sure if I am ready for that. I don't think there is any way to prepare myself for it. But, I can't wait to see and hug her. I think just moments like that, make it all worth it.

2010-11-29T14:00:00.001-08:00

Just had a psych patient tell me in a loud angry manner "y'all just hate me cause I'm the real Michael Jackson!"

I had to turn my head and grit my teeth on that one.

"So you are THE STEPHANIE DAVIS"

2010-11-13T19:21:00.000-08:00

WOW. Just wow.

Okay so I worked dispatch again today, for my 16 hour shift. My experience here has been AMAZING! The people are absolutely wonderful. I couldn't ask for a better place to be employed.

We get visitors all the time, I am constantly meeting new people. Which I love, I take after my daddy and I am very sociable.

Today a local fire department had their physical agility test here at the fire training center. I had a quick break so I decided to walk outside and see what it was all about and check on a few of the guys who I knew were testing. People were calling my name, people I had never heard of or even met saying hello and introducing their selves to me. I meet so many new people on a daily basis, I'm lucky I still know who I am. Well as I was making my way inside, one of the fire chiefs called me over and introduced me to a lady who is over marketing at the FD, she wanted to come see our new dispatch center. I was delighted to show her. As I introduced myself, she had a bit of a shocked look on her face, like I was a celebrity. During our discussion, she amplified how much she had heard about me and how elated she was to meet "The Stephanie Davis" How much she had heard, she was very appreciative for what we do.

I was stunned.

I didn't know what to say.

I told her, it was just another day. She laughed at how simple I made it seem. I remember me being ecstatic about my career, meeting "famous" people in the business. And how some of these people make me feel like I am THAT important.

I am honored. Wow. Just Wow.

One of these "famous" people some of the folks in DFW and JoCo I know is Randal Goodwin. Randal Goodwin was a firefighter for a volunteer department in JoCo, during a brush fire he was hit with a down telephone wire and lost both of his legs and most of his eyesight. Randal can no longer fight fire but has created Emergency Support Services of Johnson County. (herosupporter.com) ESS responds to large incidents and provides rehab to the firefighters. I began volunteering with ESS about 5 months ago and have been on a handful of calls.

My first call with ESS, I ran a MVA with fatality and rollover in the middle of summer (here in Texas, temps get over 100 degrees) and the crews had an extended extrication so they requested ESS. Myself and Grace Goodwin (Randals wife) responded. It was tons of fun and I continued running with them. On another incident Randal and I began talking and he asked how I like running with ESS and I said its great! I love getting out here with the guys and helping people. Randal mentioned that he had asked Grace how I did on my first run, and she said "AWESOME! She's like the mini-me version of you, Randal, She steps off the truck and everyone knows who she is" So after that day, Randal started calling me "Mini-me" Something like that makes me think, everything Randal has done from helping other burn victims, staying active in the fire service, attending meetings and creating ESS. (He does talk alot, but that's just Randal LOL)

So, me only being here 10 months and people knowing who I am, and legends calling me "Mini-me" is simply an honor. I have never felt so welcomed and excepted in anything before.

I love it.

I hope to keep it up. :)

Until next time
Be safe out there.

Only in JoCo...

2010-11-12T18:48:00.001-08:00

I just took a 911 call AND dispatched the fire department on a man who said "I was giving my daughters poodle a bath, and his leg got stuck in the drain and we can't get it out... I've already tried Crisco Oil and the dog keeps yelping.."

I love my dispatch job. I love my dispatch job. I love my dispatch job.

Back to life on the streets.

2010-11-12T15:56:00.000-08:00

After I moved to Texas. There was a little bit of a rough patch of life with my grandfather dying, living with my grandmother and my crappy jobs. But that all came to an end!!! :D I moved out and got a better job! I began dispatching for Johnson County and began meeting all the right people. Everything fell into place, I became lead dispatcher and love it. I love the people I work with, I love the guys on the streets, I love the atmosphere.

However, I did miss being on the streets.

So, I talked to a few people they pulled some strings and here I am. Hired at a great company with a wonderful reputation. I'm back to loving things again!

I'd rather be a lifesaver than a gobstopper.

Running everything from grandma being dehydrated, guys ODing on narcotics, pediatrics not breathing, to MVAs with rollovers. I know I have missed it A LOT. I'm glad to be back on the street, where I feel like I belong.

I'll keep you posted.
Until next time
Be safe out there!

What's gonna happen...?

2010-11-12T14:59:00.000-08:00

Okay, so I am back. Been a hectic week with work.

Jessica isn't doing so well. Not eating. Not getting out of bed.
I don't know much about cancer. I've done some research, I don't understand it.
Honestly, It also makes me question my faith. Why is it Jessica. Why not me.
What has she done to deserve this!? What's going to happen?
I want answers. It's hard to get them out here in TX.

Another big thing that has crossed my mind. I live in TX. My parents and all my siblings live in SC, and with everything going on with Jessica. Sometimes I feel like I'm missing out. Like I'm out of the loop. I talk to my parents but I feel like I would understand a lot more if I were there at the doctors with them. I don't want to move back. I am so happy here, I have hit the ground running with my career. Getting ready to start Paramedic school. I would have to drop all of what I have going for me. Since Jess has been diagnosed(in August) I've been home once, I just bought a ticket to fly home again at the beginning of December.

As you can tell, a lot of thoughts cross my mind.

I don't want to miss out on what little life she has left.
But I don't want to put my life on hold..
I hope that makes sense.

Until next time
Be safe out there.

2010-11-06T15:08:00.001-07:00

Okay, so I'm heart broken. I was waiting to talk about this at a later date. But I need to talk now. On August 5th 2010 my sister, Jessica, had seizures at work and fell. They transported her to the ER and did some tests, we found out she had a large tumor in the left side of her brain. She was diagnosed with glioma (brain cancer) and did surgery that following Monday. I flew home and spent a week with her and my family, and she's changed. At first she had the mentality of a 5 year old. She slowly improved and did radiation and chemotherapy. Well recently things have changed, and I'm not sure how good things are looking. My parents and sister were planning on making a trip and spending thanksgiving here with me, well mom called today and said Jess wouldn't be able to make it... It'll be too hard, and she's started having seizures (which is triggered by sound waves) More often and it would be safer for her to stay home. I have so many things to say about this particular situation and it's really hard to send it thru on my
Phone, so I will continue more on it tomorrow. There's just so many emotions... And I'm scared to lose her. Real scared, especially with me so far away.. Well I'll continue more tomorrow. Be safe out there.

How it all began...

2010-11-04T12:31:00.000-07:00

I started my career in emergency services during the summer of 2008.

I was dating a guy who is a firefighter, we went to high school together, and during our down time we would always hang out at his volunteer (which eventually turned into paid) stations. The fire chief allowed me to go to their training nights, and one particular night I rode with Chief Stephenson. He asked me what I was doing with my life and I mentioned that I was working 2 jobs and trying to make it in this world. He told me that there was an EMT class about to start, and I said "Heck Yea!!!.... wait... what's an EMT?"

That one question led to many many many more.

Dad and Mom paid for my schooling and I hit the books hard, I was stoked. I joined a volunteer fire department and started running calls. I loved it so much. I even took time away from hunting to study and learn about EMS. I never wanted something so much in my life. I started taking extra classes and going to conferences. I passed my tests and practiced my skills on anyone that would let me. I started meeting people and everyone loved my enthusiasm for the field.

As soon as I graduated and took my national registry(and passed), I was hired with a 911 service in upstate South Carolina. I worked with their company for 3-4 months and then packed it on up and headed out west! I applied for my Texas state reciprocity, I showed proof of my NR Cert and they sent me a Texas state card!

My story, after I arrived in Texas will have to wait until a later date.

Until then, be safe out there!

1st timer!

2010-11-04T06:50:00.000-07:00

I've never blogged before. I guess there is a first time for everything. I do like to talk, alot. But generally when I talk it's nothing in depth. I've always been one to write thoughts and feelings that come about. I thought maybe this would be a good way, especially for the ones who wished I would talk to and I don't. This is me talking to you.

I suppose if your reading this, you probably already know me. But since I've made this public and people who just want to listen can view this I'll give you a little introduction.

My name is Stephanie.

Okay, that's enough for now.

Haha. Just kidding.

I'm a young woman living on my own in little town in North Central Texas. I was born and raised in Charleston, South Carolina and VERY proud of my heritage and upbringings. My parents and siblings still live in the Chuck. I am an EMT (hence the blog name) and an aspiring paramedic and a 911 fire dispatcher. Emergency Services is my life. My everything. (aside from God and my family) I am a country girl, raised in the woods and I have a strong passion for the outdoors.

I absolutely LOVE to laugh, laugh. laugh. I think it's the best medicine and can make anyone feel better. I randomly burst into laughter by thoughts that run through my mind. I am very bubbly, or try to be. I have a lot of dreams and goals planned out for my life, but I'll get to those on a later date.

I'm done talking myself up for now.
I'll catch y'all on the flip side.

Be safe out there.