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Seems that in the aftermath, states are seriously considering removal of the Confederate Battle Flag (or naval ensign, or whatever you want to call it) from state government grounds, state flags, etc., and retailers are scrambling to remove any association with selling such flags or associated paraphernalia. That’s a good thing. If you want to fly the flag on your ...

A Love Song For Norman “Get here quick,” the caller had said. “He’s in bad shape.” The voice on the phone had sounded scared, desperate, his words choked with emotion. I push the accelerator to the floor as I weave in and out of traffic, desperate to make it there in time. I pass a Honda Civic by pulling around ...

A Love Song for Joyce   There are few things more dismal than an ICU waiting room. People gather in familial clusters, keeping vigil against the specter of death. Books and blankets abound, snacks and cups of stale coffee cluster on tastefully appointed end tables, and the soon-to-be bereaved seek to mask their uncertainty and seek diversion in months-old editions ...

There’s a new episode of the Inside EMS podcast. Co-host Chris Cebollero and I discuss Texas HB 2020 and SB 1899, two bills that would expand the scope of paramedics to allow them to practice their profession in Texas hospitals, Emergency Departments, and free-standing clinics. Give us a listen and hear more about the bills, and the EMS grassroots advocacy ...

And he had big, brass balls that clanked when he walked. “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat ...

There is no such thing as the perfect EMS system, nor is there such a thing as the ideal system design. You will spend your entire career looking, and never find one. And constantly looking makes you damaged goods. In your eyes, you’re the quixotic EMS gypsy always looking to better himself, but to the hiring managers you’re just a ...

Joe Speer: “So I’m wading through this Sux O’ Luxe Truck, fishing around for the burrowing owl we sucked out amongst all the prairie dogs, and – ” Jay G: “What’s a Sux O’ Luxe Truck?” Joe: “It’s this giant vacuum truck that you use to suck prairie dogs right out of their burrows.” Jay: “Oooh, does it have a ...

I’m not quite sure when J.L. Curtis and I began following each other’s blogs, but I became aware of his writing chops almost seven years ago when I was writing the Perspectives series with Matt G. and Babs, RN. Old NFO sent me a submission for a prospective third installment, from the bystander’s perspective. Honestly, it was a terrific read. Sadly, ...

Happy Medic has some wise words for responders dealing with stress, PTSD and depression. Go. Read. Get help if you need it.

How healthy is your squad? Problems with staffing, recruitment and retention? Problems meeting your response time standards? Financial instability? Does your next equipment purchase depend on the proceeds from the next fish fry or bake sale? The folks at Emergency Resource Management, LLC might be able to help you find workable answers to those problems. Come by the Mendham Township ...

Took advantage of the wonderful weather today to take a drive to the coast. The wildlife refuge in Cameron was teeming with birds. In one short drive, I saw snow geese, specklebelly geese, pintails, gadwalls, blue-winged teal, shovelers, coots, rails, gallinules, snipe, roseate spoonbills, snowy egrets, great blue herons, brown and white pelicans, gulls, terns, and ibis. At 75 degrees, ...

… file this under: Unintended Consequences, Law Of. Want to know what’s driving the spike in naloxone prices? Making it available to every goober and his junkie-in-law might have something to do with it. This is what you get from legislators and state public health officials trying to keep up with the Joneses.

… you can have easy access, low cost, or high quality. Pick any two. Anyone that says you can have all three is either a liar, or a politician. But then, I repeat myself. (Hat tip to Roberta X.)

Luke 2: 7-14 And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field , keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came ...

Overheard on an EMS Facebook page: Question: “I’m an EMT about to start paramedic school. Any advice?” Answer: “Yes, stay the hell off EMS Facebook pages.” That’s damned good advice. To quote Obi Wan Kenobi, “Mos Eisley spaceport EMS Facebook pages. You will never find a more wretched hive of scum and villainy dogma, douchebaggery and whackerism. We You must ...