5 ms·
I've volunteered with a local ambulance corps for the past 2-3 years. I've driven and more recently became an EMT. It's worthwhile. We sign for at least 4 shift
by mbubb 7y ago
I've volunteered with a local ambulance corps for the past 2-3 years. I've driven and more recently became an EMT. It's worthwhile. We sign for at least 4 shifts a month. There is a fair amount of training and retraining to keep the cert active. Some shifts are distressing and it is a bit hard to compartmentalize...
I am glad to have it though. I have contact with a whole different world than my NYC tech job and have a different relationship to my city than I would otherwise. The EMTs (and trainees) are younger, different racial and socio-economic backgrounds. Not uncommon for me to be on a shift with a crew chief who is 20 years younger and different race and or gender. And it be a person I trust and respect.
As for the work itself - it can be harrowing and you second guess almost everything and try to figure it out better. While trying to help the patient(s) you have to manage radio contact while filling out a chart which you are constantly reminded would be the basis for legal discovery if needed. Our Corps does about 6k calls a year out of one location with 3 ambulances. And you get all the variety you expect in a city.
I question it sometimes. This volunteering eats into my work life and family life. Occasionally dream about it or think about it. To the point of the post - it does connect me to community in a different and meaningful way. There are other ways to achieve the same thing probably - just adding my experience.
- komali2 7y agoThis has been something that's been on the stove for me for two years now. I'd love to do this also - you wouldn't happen to have written about it anywhere?
- mbubb 7y agoIn US it is state by state - they are semi-nationalizing the written exam (NREMT) but you need to take a practical exam in the state you get licensed. Volunteer EMS is dwindling a bit but still around. Often the Volunteer org will voucher you once you put in time as an "Observer". I did that for a year and started driving and got my EMT last December.
- juped 7y agoWhere did you get your EMT training? (context: I am in NYC and would take EMT training and volunteer at my own expense if I understood how it worked)
- mbubb 7y agoI went to JCMC (Jersey City Medical Center). I looked for programs in NYC but all are in Queens or Brooklyn. From work (midtown NYC) I was able to ferry or subway to Jersey City and make a 6PM class time. One caveat - this preps you for the National test and a NJ practical exam. So you would need to schedule an extra exam to get the NYState cert... Expense was ~1300USD plus book for a 6 month course (Tues, Thurs, Sat). My volunteer corps offers vouchers which reduces the overall cost to $200 but I would have had to wait another cycle (and also probably take it from a 19 year old who would need it more). So I paid for it. The course is worth it for the practical skills alone. After you take 50 blood pressures - it starts to click, etc. Also the practical days in the hospital trailing ER nurses or respiratory specialists are great. lmk if you need more info
- mlevental 7y agohow do you do this? like what's the basic requirements to be able to volunteer?
- mbubb 7y agoAre you in US? All the reqs are state by state. For my Corps, to volunteer as an "observer" the minimum reqs are a CPR card and the ability to lift a stretcher. There is a simple application with a background check and interview. To drive you need a clean DMV abstract and a practical training exercise. To EMT you need an active EMT cert and 8 shifts as a "Crew Chief in Training". There are other specializations and training you can get.
- ip26 7y agoAlways an intriguing proposition, but I'm not sure I can handle the automobile accidents if I'm trying to squeeze it in between work & life. I hear it can get horrific & gruesome pretty often. What has your experience been?
- theNJR 7y agoSimilar but far less impact; I did the Community Emergency Response Training (CERT). It was a great experience. I met tons of locals, learned important skills, and learned a lot about myself and leadership. It was a handful of all day Saturday classes and I cant recommend it enough. It gave me a bit of an itch to get EMT certified, so your account was interesting to read. My dad has been a volunteer sherif for decades (because of his background he does a lot of the local hostage negotiation) and I know how much he got out of that.