Pay it Forward!

Seems like with the more I get to share information about Emergency Services the more I am blessed with the opportunity to mentor or help lead the generation next. As a 15 year career passes before my eyes I can distinctly remember a young 20 year old that was wondering from job to job and hadn't been serious about anything. Then he discovered Emergency Services and BAM! It seems like everything fell into place. Firefighter 1, 2, EMT, and paramedic all came one after the other. Pretty soon I was clocking in to my first shift as a career Emergency services professional. Now keep in mind that all along the way I received help and direction. But that is exactly what I am writing about.

A wise man once asked me," How to you drive from West Virginia to California?" I said "well I guess I would need a map?" So I mapped it out and wrote it down! Ryan Pennington Fire-Medic. I wrote it on books, mirrors, lockers, and everything. This wise man has followed my career and given advice for 15 years now and I could never repay him for the things he has done for me. With his wise words he responded with this, "Pay it forward."

Pay it forward is something that I will continue to do till I hang up my helmet. Everyday I get asked questions on becoming a professional Emergency Service Provider. From EMT to Fire-Medic people look to us for advice, just like I did 15 years ago. Same holds true to the brave men and women who sign up for their first Firefighter 1 or EMT class. The difference with this time is we get to be the lucky ones who are teaching the class! I encourage all of you to "Pay it Forward" just like rich has done for me. Take the time to serve as a mentor to the generation next. Who knows, they could be coming to our house one day to help us!!

For future Emergency Service Professionals, heres to you. Grab a piece of paper and start the map from where you are to where you want to be! "Insert name here- Fire-Medic" The road might get bumpy and long ,but stay the coarse. Your goals can and will be achieved if you pay attention to details, work hard, and follow the map. Then when its your turn to lead you will have the HONOR of being a mentor like Dr. Richard Gasaway is to me. Because one day you will be writing a blog and saying "Pay it Forward." all while being blessed with helping such honorable men and women of your Emergency Services!

Thanks Again for visiting Views from the Jumpseat!

Ryan Pennington.........Fire-Medic!

If if Looks Vacant...Smells Vacant....Is it Vacant?

When does it seem like you have seen it all in the fire-ems service? How deplorable can the conditions that people live in get? I often wonder this as we stumble through another place that is so discus ting that a dog shouldn't be living in it just to find one if not many humans living in it! WOW is all you can say when you walk in. But what can you say when you roll up on it and it Looks Vacant....Smells Vacant...is it Vacant?

The answer in today's culture is NO! Every house, apartment, and boarded up business is occupied until you find otherwise. With homeless people on the rise and people searching for a roof over their head many find these in boarded up houses and such. Looks can be deceiving on buildings that are occupied and people cover their windows and entryways with lumber instead of replacing windows and doors. This can give us the look of a vacant and be a occupied structure.

Often we come upon this very situation. So how do we prepare for these type situations. One opinion is to use the dreaded ems calls to get into a pre-plan mode. While accessing patients and after treating them take time to look around. Boarded up window, means of egress, and number of occupants are all things we should look for. Inside conditions and possible dangers should also be in the front of your mind. The most important part of this assessment is to share the info with your department!

Who knows, someday it might Look Vacant, Smell Vacant, and all of a sudden It's NOT vacant!

Keep up the good work and thanks for visiting the jumpseat!!!!

Waves of HOLY COW!

As I sit here and watch the happenings in japan, I sit and wonder what kind of command and control they have set up. Can you even imagine? Now we all have spent the boring hours learning about NIMS...100-400, but now the practices are coming into play. Now take a step back and image you are in charge of just one of the devastated cities. WOW! Are you ready for that? Does your department have a plan for the HOLY>>>COW?

We all have pre-plans for the basics, but what about when the big one happens. Do you know where all your resources come from? Do you know who to contact on a national level? Outside of obama's cell phone number, it might be a good idea to find some numbers for all the federal assistance you may need.

Focus Danielson.....and envision the HOLY COW CALL! You might just be next and lives are depending on you!

thanks for the visit.......and god bless the people of Japan!