Shift Happens!

Well it's the final day's of summer and I'm riding them out at work. I love the fire and ems service a lot, but sometimes it stinks like SHIFT! For all the rewards of shift work there are some trade offs. Like paying back shift trades, time away from family functions, and generally missing out on some things. The pro's out way the con's but sometimes dealing with the con's STINK! So, just put your head down and get through it! Aaron Tippen said it best "A long hard Day sure Ain't Much Fun, but ya gotta get it started if you're gona get it done!" Happy labor day weekend everyone. Take the time to grab your love one's and tell them how much you love them because before you know it......SHIFT HAPPENS! Be safe and keep ridin with "View's from the Jumpseat!

Move right with lights?

Once again I would like to thank everyone for the support of my article on firehouse.com. On a safety note a KCEAA ambulance was involved in a minor accident yesterday. The detail's are still coming in but from what I can figure out it was passing a SUV on a two lane road when the SUV swerved left into it's path. First, I hope everyone is OK. Second, I would like to take the time and remind everyone to expect the unexpected. Sometimes people do the craziest things when they see us coming with our parade lamps on.(IE.... Light's and Siren's). Maybe we should put a sign across the hood of the ambulance or Engine " Move RIGHT for LIGHTS!" Thanks once again for sharing some time with me here at "Views from the Jumpseat".

Photo by Dave MacQueen, WSAZ

Thanks to Peter Mathews and Firehouse.com

Just stopped to send a BIG SHOUT OUT to Peter Mathews and Firehouse.com for publishing my first article. It's the full version of "When to Back the Truck Up?" I hope everyone enjoys it and starts a safety discussion with your companies. What if we all would make safety our number one priority? I believe that we owe it to our families to" Back The Truck Up!" Have a great day everyone and thank you for visiting "Views From the Jumpseat!"

Back Where I Came From!

Last night I had the pleasure of teaching at the place where I began my fire and EMS career. I started the night with a basic CPR class and turned it into a round table discussion on firefighter safety. We talked about seatbelt safety, proper PPE selection and use, and basic mayday procedures. It was an engaging conversation between firefighters and their views were right on the money. It was nice to share my "Views From the Jumpseat"!