I work as a Road Patrol Deputy/Paramedic for a good size County in the Midwest. Where I work we have implemented a pretty unique "E-Unit" program...This program allows citizens to receive ALS first responders in the form of a cop. I first respond to medicals in my area with everything an ambulance would have..minus the cot and a partner... Not every cop is a paramedic where I work..we have one or two of us on the roster that are paramedics on at a time round the clock and only cover certain areas of the county. The others have MFR/EMT first responders via the fire dept. There are times where the ALS ambulance is waited on for more than ten minutes, so it's nice to get ALS care going while they wait for their "ride".
I worked as a street paramedic for about ten years on a city ambulance service before going to the police academy and joining the ranks at the Sheriff's Office. I respond to medicals for the most part on my own...and have to be able to run any call by myself till the ambulance gets there, which is why the street experience is imperative to have before doing this job. Most times I can get one of my partners to come help in "big calls" ...but for the most part you are on your own for a lil bit. You tend to get a little "creative" when you need to be.
Being a paramedic/cop makes the job a little more interesting because one minute I'm dealing with someone that is happy and grateful to see me for medical help..to clearing that call and responding to lets say a bar fight or making an arrest off a traffic stop and I am now every name in the book and not welcome. Puts some variety into it for sure....
My other variety from the job comes from being a female...did I metntion that part yet? It intrigues me how differently people perceive, treat, and react to you in relation to my male partners...I will say right now I am not a "woman's libber" or constantly whining about fairness in the work place and whatever stigma comes with that. I do my job because I love it and I worked hard to earn the respect of my peers...but being a female in this world has definitely added to the "variety" factor...
My plan here is to post some ramblings/thoughts/stories of stuff I come across every day, as a cop/paramedic/mom.... You never know...What next....
