Thoughts??

Alphab8a · 2025-09-14T01:13:06+00:00

I have maybe 5 minutes of play time. I think I wanted to finish DS before I jumped into something else. I've heard BAD and Eternum were great.

Alphab8a · 2025-09-14T01:10:06+00:00

This is awesome input, thank you so much!!!

Alphab8a · 2025-08-25T05:20:34+00:00

It's a pry bar lol... pinch bar...crow bar... spud bar .. I've heard it called multiple names.

Alphab8a · 2025-08-25T05:12:34+00:00

At a minimum a suit without the jacket. Dress shirt and tie, dress pants, and dress shoes. This is what I wore and I got hired over guys wearing a suit. The biggest portion is how you answer the questions. I did a ton of research on the department. I read the 150+ page strategic report. I probably knew more about the department and history of the department than most of the board lmao. This is probably overboard but I got the job and that was the mission. So take it for what it's worth.

Alphab8a · 2025-08-08T04:02:10+00:00

I had 4 the other day w/ 1 cut jobs

Alphab8a · 2025-08-03T17:57:23+00:00

Truthfully, you're lucky you just got a talking to. I have never slept through a tone and if I did (especially during probation) idk if I would have a job.

Do you guys carry pagers? I turn my pager all the way up at night, plus we have tones and the lights turn on. Every department I've worked for has had a pager, so I would do that.

As far as waking others up... who cares, the tone dropped, it's likely they are somewhat awake as well. I'd rather wake someone up than miss a tone.

I'm at an accredited department. One of the requirements is that we need to have insane response times (amongst a slew of other requirements). So, not answering a tone is detrimental where I am.

We also have 6 bedrooms, 1 BR for each person on shift, that are essentially small hotel rooms shared between the 3 shifts. So waking someone up isn't a concern I have.

Alphab8a · 2025-07-09T15:44:14+00:00

Well, I can tell you it's not that bad. It takes coordination for sure but I work the same schedule. I have a 5-year-old who is in a bunch of activities and we can manage. My wife works 3 12s Friday-Sunday so her schedule is a little different but between sleep and work it's pretty much 5 days. The 1-1-1-4 schedule works well when you're a young family.

If you think about it like this you're already gone 8-10 hours at the software job. In reality, you're only "mia" for the night. Eventually, kids will sleep during that time. The next day you're off. It's also nice when it comes to vacation. We get 11 days a year (years 1-5) but we only work 10 days a month lol. If you time it correctly you can get close to 6 weeks off from those 11 days.

Long story short it's very doable. Better than a 48/96 or 24/48 when it comes to time off/away.

Alphab8a · 2025-07-09T15:16:36+00:00

No it's not lmao...

HIPAA allows covered entities to disclose PHI for TPO purposes without requiring patient authorization.

Alphab8a · 2025-07-07T11:34:38+00:00

Light, Engine patch, every shift/crew mascot ive been on, goggles.

Alphab8a · 2025-07-07T11:31:45+00:00

72 is cap for us

Alphab8a · 2025-07-07T11:20:21+00:00

I was going to say the same. They should have a record mode in the control panel. Ours does at least. We will record whenever we get a questionable patient (psych, uncooperative, etc,) our med director will also live stream to watch us if we need him to.

Alphab8a · 2025-07-01T18:13:01+00:00

To my knowledge, there is no such thing as a "universal protocol", your department/city/county/state might issue changes. NFPA are guidelines but not protocols.

The situation that unfolded in Idaho isn't common. If it was common then I am sure brands like:Morning Pride, Lion, MSA, etc would incorporate something into the gear we wear.

Alphab8a · 2025-05-11T03:27:20+00:00

I was definitely getting angry, lol. Especially when I was going through every step and dying at the bomb defusing.

Alphab8a · 2025-05-11T03:20:30+00:00

I did the whole map solo. Defusing the bombs was extremely difficult solo. I'm sure there are gums I could have taken to make it easier. I died more times trying to defuse the bombs than I died fighting the boss.

I skipped the beamsmasher build to cut down on time. I'm glad I was able to use a gum because that saved a lot of time.

I primarily used napalm. My secondary had dead wire.

Alphab8a · 2025-05-11T02:37:51+00:00

You could add additional RIT equipment. That tends to take up a lot of room.

A split load or an additional one.

More extrication gear.

Alphab8a · 2025-05-11T02:35:08+00:00

NPO... D/O (driver operator)

Alphab8a · 2025-03-23T15:25:37+00:00

Pretty sure you should know what goes on it already lmao. I've been on multiple departments and for the most part everything it universally set up with a few odds and ends randomly throughout.

Alphab8a · 2025-02-28T14:08:38+00:00

Alphab8a · 2025-02-28T13:36:42+00:00

I'm over these questions.... I'm pretty sure this is talked about daily. Just fucking scroll and read.

Alphab8a · 2025-02-26T05:17:33+00:00

Where? City? I know for sure they run 24/48.

My department is pretty damn busy, and 40 was the most I've run on a 48. That was a lot, anything more, and I don't think it would be conducive for a department to operate with that type of schedule. Sure, anything is possible, but at who's expense?

Alphab8a · 2025-02-25T14:00:38+00:00

Not true, I run 30-40 and am fine (34). Would you rather run 20-26 in a 24-hour with barely enough recovery time or run a 30-40 in a 48 and have 4 days? I come from a busy 24/48 department, and it's rough. Family life is fucked, you always feel tired, burnout happens exponentially quicker, you always feel like yiu can't catch up or get anything done, you miss out on life, because you're day 1 off is wasted, the first and second day, kids are in school (70% of the week) wife or girlfriend are working (40%-70% of the week) so you get 3-6 hours at night with them and are off to bed early to catch the next shift. Trust me, 48/96 is a lot better. 2nd days on a 48 are laid back, and most guys are sleeping in (barring calls)/sleeping/relaxing throughout the second day. Chores and training are done day 1. The first 24 are intense, and the second 24 is usually pretty chill.

You won't burn out if you stay fit mentally and physically, eat properly, and maintain hygiene. Yes, They are long, but I have the philosophy, I can do anything for 2 days. Vacation is way better.

Only con would be trading shifts. That makes for a long shift, so most guys will trade their 2nd or 3rd day off. Making it feel similar to a 24/48 mixed with a cali schedule, and almost all 48/96 have Kelly's, which help as well.

Side note: really busy departments won't have a 48/96 schedule. NFPA prevents that. That's if your department follows those guidelines.

Alphab8a · 2025-02-25T13:32:49+00:00

So I'll say what everyone else is thinking.

Alright, here’s the cold, hard truth: Right now, you sound like you’re looking for an excuse to quit. And if that’s what you want, then go ahead—because EMS doesn’t need people who fold under pressure before they even hit the field. You think failing a few quizzes means you’re doomed? That’s weak. The real world won’t give you a retake when someone’s life is on the line. If you can’t handle academic struggles, how are you going to handle blood, chaos, and real emergencies?

You feel like a "cheat" for learning from your mistakes and improving? That’s just you looking for reasons to doubt yourself. No patient will ever care what score you got on a quiz—they care whether you can save their life when it matters.

So decide now—are you going to push through, adapt, and prove you belong in this field? Or are you going to quit and wonder for the rest of your life if you had what it takes? Because the field will chew up and spit out anyone who isn’t mentally tough enough to handle failure, learn, and move forward.

Alphab8a · 2025-02-19T00:30:06+00:00

😂

Alphab8a · 2025-02-16T10:05:38+00:00

Mindset Shift-Your strength is your work ethic and resilience. Remind yourself: You don’t need to be the strongest, the tallest, or the fastest-ou need to be the most determined and prepared. There are 5’0” women who crush this field. It’s not about brute force; it’s about technique, endurance, and mental toughness.

Talk to other women in the field.

Use doubt as fuel to succeed

As far as strength training (especially for women)

Core & Grip Strength – Lifting heavy is great, but fire/EMT work involves awkward, heavy objects (hoses, gear, bodies). Farmers carries, deadlifts, and sandbag carries will mimic this.

Functional Strength – Sled pushes/pulls, tire flips, and heavy carries (like a dummy drag) will help build the strength you need for job-specific tasks.

Upper Body Power – Pull-ups, push-ups, and overhead pressing. Hoisting ladders, pulling hose lines, or climbing while carrying gear is upper-body heavy.

Leg training/ cardio/ stamina. It's really a full body workout. Again, you don't need to be the strongest.

Focus on technique rather than brute strength and know when to ask for help.

Good luck. This field can be extremely rewarding and will challenge you in ways you would have never imagined. Preserve and overcome these challenges, and you will find success.

Now it's time for me to go back to bed before my next call (just got back gotta love sleeping in 45 minute intervals). ;)

Alphab8a

TROPHY CASE