This is where I work. The most densely populated county, per square mile, in the state of Florida, Pinellas. To say we run lots of calls would be an gross understatement. Last year my partner and I had 871 calls which resulted in a transport of a patient. That doesn't include calls which we were cancelled on for whatever reason. You know all that stuff you see on Rescue 911? Well, it happens, but only about 10% of the stuff we do are what could be considered REAL emergencies. Unless you have worked in EMS you would be surprised at the things people call 911 for. There is a tremendous amount of system abuse that goes on. The stuff you don't see on that show are things like :

• "I cut my finger"

• "I stubbed my big toe"

• "5 years ago I fell and hurt my back, I thought I would get it checked out today"

• "I got shot... during a bombing mission in 1943, and today I'm sore from it" (this said in 1996)

• "I've got a bump under my arm"

• "I've got a toothache"

• "I've got an earache"

• "I don't have a ride to the hospitial" (but the family will follow us in the car)

• "The tampon is stuck, and I can't reach the string"

• "I ate to much chocolate, and now I have a stomach ache"

• "I went to the doctor an hour ago, and the medicine he gave me isn't working"

• "My hemorrhoids are bleeding"

• "She's 103 years old, and this is an unexpected death"

• "I have an ear-ring stuck in my ear"

• "A roach flew in my ear"

• "I was in a car accident yesterday, and my lawyer said I should call you"

• "I've been drinking all day, now I'm sick"

• "I got bitten by an ant last week"

• "I have a sore throat"

EMS personnel, next to police officers, are perhaps the most taken for granted public servants there are, and the most underpaid. You don't think about them being there until you need them. You call 911 and they show up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. The next time an ambulance comes up behind you give thanks that they are there instead of cursing them out for making you miss a green light.

Here's some EMS Links: 

AMR West Florida  Where I work

Arnie's Home Page  Good page, with some good links

National EMS Memorial Dedicated to the EMTs and Medics who have died in the line of duty.

EMS Humor  If you're in EMS, You'll laugh...

MultiMedic  All sorts of good information.

JEMS  You know.. JEMS!

Mikes EMS Page  Be sure to check out the "Paramedic from hell stuff".

Back To Matthew's Home Page