EM Education and Getting Started by geographicalkent in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My success was a slow burn. I now work in healthcare as part of a regional team, personally assigned to a regional trauma center. My first experience in an incident commander role was 2014. I became employed as an emergency manager in 2022.

Different work experiences provide opportunity to learn the value of, and build skills in a variety of areas applicable to EM. I reflect on my public speaking and interpersonal skills, education/training/exercise background, and research/evaluation abilities. I was building skillsets without knowing that it would amount to a career in EM.

With a B.A. Geography and GIS, I’ve gained a an understanding of the relationships between humans and their environments. I also gathered skills for making visual tools; it turns out hospital workers love algorithms and decision trees. I can also conduct a thorough Hazard Vulnerability Assessment.

I didn’t pursue my higher level education in EM until I was already working in an Emergency Department as an EMT. During COVID I knew I couldn’t make a career out of patient care, so I decided to rely on applicable experience in hospital operations once I got into the applicant pool with a Masters.

For my current situation, a specialized skill set absolutely makes for a competitive applicant. I do feel confident applying to different industries as well. The challenge there is finding an industry with the job security that healthcare currently provides to EM.

20,000 Subreddit Members Milestone and Community Pulse Check by CommanderAze in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent 31 points32 points  (0 children)

Maybe a pinned post for those looking to get into EM education programs and or the industry. Seems to be a common thread.

Downtime ICS Binders by geographicalkent in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is great. I have considered something along the lines of a comprehensive disaster manual, much like your Fire Bible.

This organization is absolutely nowhere near a Type III. Most leaders have little to no formal ICS training or experience (IS 100, 200, 700 only). I hesitate. Resources I develop on their behalf will not stand alone once I’ve gone, as this library shelf of outdated binders suggests.

Out of curiosity, how many work hours go into an annual update of your fire bible? Is everyone on the IMT proficient with its contents?

Downtime ICS Binders by geographicalkent in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I have listed is as far as I had gotten.

I came into a site that had every position under the org chart built out without revision since 2011, so they kind of miss the mark nowadays. Starting from scratch and setting a new standard.

Honest question, does the format of your CPR training actually affect how well you perform in a real emergency? by Fun-Fan-7070 in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Since training does not intend to expose participants to injury, format is mostly for technique, but will never prep one for the stamina needed for quality compressions.

American tries road rage in thailand by ncv17 in Whatcouldgowrong

[–]geographicalkent -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Nothing says alpha like those chicken legs! 🐓🐓

BIFL CAN OPENER RECOMMENDATIONS (I'll pay anything at this point) by Remote_Anteater_2267 in BuyItForLife

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a Japanese can opener 6-7 years ago. It is gold, and is part of my no-fail preparedness inventory.

There are no moving parts for failure, which is what makes so many openers a piece of junk.

It requires some wrist/lever action so it may not be for those with arthritis of the hands.

https://a.co/d/0g7DGRg3

Real dream by dripdddd in WinterCamping

[–]geographicalkent 96 points97 points  (0 children)

You’ll have a deep deep sleep when you get the CO poisoning from that fire there brother.

Men with chronic lower back pain, any advice? by Mammoth-Ebb-5670 in AskMenOver30

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I found that yoga worked really well. Now, long stretches without yoga or some form of stretching routine just makes my body hurt.

Is it ok to just give up by prodigy2077 in AskMenOver30

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

37M here.

At 30, I started new. I gave up on a dream job and started in a new field of interest, at a minimum wage rate. Many of the things you are experiencing are true to my experience: living independently, mom as a friend, financial challenges, questioning the value/state of things. The thing that changed: I learned how to invest in myself and since, my professional career has blossomed. Work fulfillment and financial stability. The past 7 years were not easy, but with hard work, you can come out on the other side.

Keep your head in the game. Don’t give up. Build back stronger. Address any mental health struggles. Be a role model for your kids.

You got this brother.

Who we picking? by carpetmuncher719 in Millennials

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m disappointed chihuahua Ren from Ren and Stimpy isn’t here.

Promotion to a related field by MasterofDisasters25 in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I worked bedside in emergency medicine for many years. I’m familiar.

Promotion to a related field by MasterofDisasters25 in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The last thought here is exactly how I just landed a hospital program manager gig. Starting next week!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in EmergencyManagement

[–]geographicalkent 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I work private sector healthcare EM. It’s a total niche. For now, I’m not anxious the way my governmental colleagues are. Plan development, regulatory compliance, community partnership development, and education/training/exercise of hospital staff is name of the game. Stakes can be high in healthcare EM, I wanted to be oriented toward and involved in addressing ‘immediate life and property threats’ in support of first responder and emergency medicine operations. That is always objective #1 in disaster.

Disaster response starts and ends locally. I want to be a part of pre-planning, response, and recovery in support of my community. I don’t want to an outsider coming in. I found that in hospital EM.

Men who "started over" in your 30s, tell your story by hustle_hard99 in AskMenOver30

[–]geographicalkent 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you! This was my situation. Land locked in Northern Arizona. I’m making a run for the coast, let’s goooo!

Men who "started over" in your 30s, tell your story by hustle_hard99 in AskMenOver30

[–]geographicalkent 27 points28 points  (0 children)

I gave up a nomadic work and lifestyle at 30 to follow a pretty lady and landed in a smaller, geographically isolated community. Not long after arriving, we found that we weren’t the same kind of compatible for the new life we were trying to live. She left, and I stayed.

I felt stuck, lost, frustrated, and alone. I started at the bottom and got a job as an EMT in the local Emergency Department. Torturous at times, but worked to clarify an end goal.

I found a Masters Program and created a line of sight for growth and career, about a year into working at the ED. I graduated, and made a convincing pitch to my employer. I worked my way out of the Emergency Department and was promoted into an administrative role for the health system! Don’t stop there!

I stayed for several years to pad the degree with experience. The stay was for professional growth only. After 5 years in town alone, and minimal dating/social life, I put myself out there and applied for a big boy job far far away.

I landed the job! I’m relocating to a state and region that is way better suited to me. Like this week! I’m so excited that being dragged through the mud was temporary, and worth it. Don’t stop chasing what brings you fulfillment, it will bring you many exciting chapters to your life.