During this period, I became increasingly aware that I was not comfortable
in a firefighter role, and I began to take a more serious interest in EMS.
In the spring of 1988, I applied for membership with the Potsdam (NY) Volunteer
Rescue Squad, but was unable to join until the beginning of the fall semester
in September 1988. That fall, I completed my first EMT course.
It was with the Potsdam Rescue Squad that I truly fell in love with the
EMS system. During the spring of 1989, I enrolled in and completed
New York's Critical Trauma Care and Ambulance Accident Prevention seminars.
The following summer, I was employed by LaSalle Ambulance, based in Buffalo,
NY (now part of Rural-Metro Buffalo). I worked on an Intermediate
level unit based at Bertrand-Chaffee Hospital, in Springville, NY.
We were the primary 911 responder for the Town and Village of Springville,
and also provided interfacility transports for Bertrand-Chaffee Hospital.
Back at school in the fall of 1989, I completed the NY AEMT-I (Advanced EMT Intermediate) course, and began practicing as an ALS provider with Potsdam Rescue. My original intention to continue on to certification as an AEMT-CC (Critical Care) was dropped after I accepted a job offer with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, in Arlington, VA. I remained active with both Potsdam Rescue (while school was in session) and the Machias Fire Department (during breaks) until graduation from college.
After graduation, I moved
to Arlington, VA. After making a number of inquiries, it was suggested
to me that I might
be the happiest as a member of the Sterling Vol.
Rescue Squad, in Loudoun County, VA. While Arlington did have
a small number of volunteers, they were mostly utilized in a firefighting
capacity, and Fairfax County, VA required all volunteers to be cross trained
as both firefighters and EMT's. So I joined Sterling Rescue and began
my probationary period in August of 1990. However, due to the distance
(over 30 miles) and several personal issues, I resigned in October of 1990.
During the next year, I was not active with any Fire or EMS agency, but
continued to look for opportunities to participate. I also completed
a Virginia EMT-A
course during this time. In October 1991, I rejoined Sterling Rescue,
and the next spring, I moved to Sterling, VA.
For the next six years, I remained active with Sterling Rescue and have maintained my certification as an EMT-D (defibrillation certification is required by the squad for all operational members). However, in the fall of 1997, my wife and I purchased a house in Alexandria, VA (primarily to shorten our job commutes), and the distance to the squad again became a major factor inhibiting our participation in the organization. As a result, early in December 1997, both my wife and I resigned from Sterling Rescue. At this time, we have no immediate plans to join another organization, but that might change in the future.
All told, I have 11 years
of experience (over the last 12 years), and I am going to miss being a
part of the system. The Fire and EMS systems truly fascinate me.
I am truly grateful to have had the opportunity to be associated with these
organizations, and I will always remember all the great moments, as well
as some tragic ones. The number of terrific people that I have met
through my participation is astounding, and many of them have become great
friends (including my best man, who ran with me in Potsdam, and continues
as a volunteer outside of Syracuse, NY, and my wife). The work performed
by these people truly makes a difference to their communities.
Questions or comments? E-mail Andy.