Conferences 101

In the next month, I have the privilege of attending two national EMS conferences The first is the NCEMSF Conference (National Collegiate EMS Foundation http://www.ncemsf.org/), in my backyard, Philadelphia, PA. The other will be the JEMS Conference, EMS Today (http://www.emstoday.com). I'm getting to be an old hand at JEMS, especially in Baltimore, but I've never been to the NCEMSF Conference before, so that will be a new experience.

On Twitter, I've seen some folks comment that they've never been to an EMS Conference before – so I figured I'd write a bit of a guide for new folks going.

First – What to wear:

Comfortable shoes are key. Between wandering the exhibit floor, walking between spread-out classrooms, and walking to lunch and evening activities, you'll spend a LOT of time on your feet. If you don't wear comfortable shoes, you'll be looking for the on-site EMS coverage folks for band-aids and moleskin for your blisters. Oh – and make sure the shoes are broken in... or you'll have the same issues with blisters.

Every year, I see a wide range of attire, from suits and ties to ripped T-shirts and torn blue jeans. There are also more than a few wearing “Absolute EMT” t-shirts and squad uniforms. I tend to try to appear professional – collared shirts and khakis or nice jeans.

As for uniforms: I may wear a jobshirt or sweatshirt with a department logo, and that's as far as I'll go. I never understand the folks wandering around in full duty uniforms (excluding the ones there staffing a booth for their department), and why do folks insist on wearing their pagers or turnout coats?

What to do:

The reason I get to go to the conference is education. That means that I try to pick topics that are interesting, and that I'll get something out of. Networking is a great benefit to an event of that scale, and I'm looking forward to seeing folks I met last year, and meeting new folks, too. Some folks go to these events looking for new employment possibilities, and there are a host of companies there recruiting.

As for sessions – Go to ones that interest you. Just because you signed up for one session doesn't mean you can't change your mind and go to a different one. Be aware of the continuing education restrictions, though. For example, even though I'm a medic, as a condition of me going last year, my sessions had to be approved for BLS con-ed. Be aware if you have similar restrictions. Steve Berry happens to be my favorite lecturer, and his sessions are ALWAYS standing-room-only. Get their early to get good seats. Bring a notepad and be able to take notes. I'm not a huge note-taker, but there will always be something of benefit to research more later.

Networking is great, and sometimes occurs in the exhibit halls and corridors of the convention center. More often than not, though, it occurs over food and drink at lunch and in the evenings. There are sales reps from many companies present, and some of them will offer to buy you dinner or drinks. Remember, they are trying to sell you something, and accepting free meals from them may violate an anti-kickback or ethics policy at your work place. Be careful, and remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch. That being said – meeting with sales reps is a natural occurrence at a conference like EMS Today – just be careful that you don't jam yourself up.

Additionally, if you are of legal age and partake in adult beverages, use caution. First, you are representing your service(s) and the profession as a whole, so don't make the rest of us look bad. For those of you that are perhaps networking for better employment, everything is an interview! Then again, it is natural to let your hair down a little bit with friends new and old, and some of the best education occurs when talking to folks with different experiences over a glass of good beer. Just remember to drink in moderation. If you do drink too much, you'll feel like SH*T the next morning, and perhaps sleep though sessions. I need to demonstrate that I attend the sessions so my conference fee gets paid for, but even if you are paying your own way – it's a shame to miss good sessions because you can't control your behavior.

Philadelphia and Baltimore are both big cities. They make an effort to make the downtown area “safe”, but bad stuff still happens. I KNOW Philly, and I'm comfortable with the Inner Harbor of Baltimore. When traveling, if possible, travel in groups. Don't go exploring areas off the beaten path, and don't be afraid to ask a Police Officer for assistance. Use some common sense, and recognize that even though it's the safe part of the city – it's still the big city.

Anyway – Have fun, and if you're at either conference, I'd love to meet you.

The things I carry

So, this month's Handover (a blog carnival) theme is “Wearing is Caring.” I've been intending to make an entry for some time now, and keep not getting around to it. This month, the discussion is about what we carry with us. This is a topic I've discussed before, especially over at www.EMTLife.com, as well as in person with friends and co-workers.

I've been an EMT for 9 years, and a Paramedic for over a year now. I cut my teeth as a volunteer with a BLS service, and still run with them very regularly I'm actually a live-in with that agency, which provides BLS-level care, with a call volume of approx. 4500 a year. I run 6 or 12 hour shifts 2-3 nights a week to meet my “rent” requirement. I explain this, because when I'm functioning with them, I'm limited to the Statewide BLS scope of practice. I also work as a paramedic with 3 separate services – 2 suburban EMS agencies, and a urban based, private transport company. Oh, and because I go to the in-town college, I'm also on their BLS Quick Response team.

When I'm around school or the squad where I live, I'm usually carrying a pager and will cover calls as needed. The BLS agency has 2-3 duty crews on station, and if needed, and I'm available, it's expected of me to help cover a call beyond what we have staffing for. So although it's uncommon, I've taken calls in dress clothing, neckties and all, and I've taken calls in a Boy Scout uniform before too... (Joys of being an adult leader). Let me rattle off my “every day carry” stuff:

2-3 ballpoint pens. One isn't enough. Ever. It'll get loaned, lost, or left somewhere. They normally ride in my right front pants pocket. I've had a few leaking pen tragedies over the years, but usually this works for me. I also usually carry a fine-point Sharpie. It comes in handy.

Knife. Currently I'm carrying a SOGZilla folder in my right (strong side) front pocket, clipped to the pocket. That's my standard “utility” knife. If I'm on duty, I'll often replace the standard knife with a Spyderco Rescue folder, with a blunt tip and SERIOUS serrations. Sometimes I keep the other blade on me, sometimes not. Depends on if I remember.

Keys. My personal keys live in my left front pants pocket, and the set consists of: Electronic fob for the squad building I live at, 3 separate keys for various firearms lock boxes, a handcuff key (dating back to when I worked Security as a full-time job), Car key, Key to the University QRS truck, Room key, key to my parent's house, Key to the elevator at the Squad building, mailbox key, 4gig flash drive, and a VERY small CPR mask. It's actually a pretty compact keyring.

Wallet. I use a All-Ett wallet (www.all-ett.com), and it lives in my back right pants pocket. I cite the brand because it's the smallest, lowest profile wallet I've ever had, and I've used them for the last 5 years or so. Carrying a whole stack of cert cards, ID cards, etc, my wallet is pretty full. This wallet makes it thinner than most EMPTY leather wallets.

Nitrite Gloves. At least 1 pair of gloves lives in my back left pants pocket, pretty much 24x7. As I said, I sometimes end up on trucks when I'm not expecting it.

Flashlight. My current flashlight of choice is a SureFire G2L (LED). It often ends up in my left front pants pocket, although when I'm carrying a CCW, it'll end up in a weak-hand belt holster when I have that on.

Phone: My iPhone 4 lives in a pocket, too, because I've never been able to find a belt clip that works for me. Along with it, I always keep a headset, usually a corded earphone/mic system. This way, I can listen to music when doing my rig check, and talk hands free when on a long conversation during downtime. My phone normally rides in a breast pocket of my shirt or jacket, but if that doesn't work, it ends up in my front pants pockets, usually on the left side.

Pager: As I said, when I'm around and available, I end up being on-call. So I almost always carry my squad pager on my belt, at about 3-O'clock. When my CCW is there, it will either go to 4:30, or 9-o'clock. When I'm around the college, I ALSO carry a separate duty pager for their PD to dispatch the QRS.

When I'm off-duty, my apparel tends to be causal, but presentable. 5.11's, khaki's, or blue jeans, usually with a polo or button-down shirt. I rarely wear shorts. For belts, I wear a custom leather belt from Crossbreed (www.crossbreedholsters.com) or The Beltman (www.thebeltman.net). For work wear, It's normally a 1.5” or 1.75” 5.11 Instructors/Riggers belt.

When I'm on duty, I carry all of the above, and some more “stuff”. Normally I'm wearing EMS Pants, BDU's, or 5.11's. My left thigh pocket carries a small handful (usually 5-6 pairs) of non-latex gloves. A pair of black Hatch “duty” gloves goes in my back left trouser pocket. These are good for light protection with vehicle rescues, as well as for various other protection. And trauma shears, if I carry them, go in my right thigh pocket or in a shears pocket on the outside of the right thigh.

Duty Keys – I also carry a separate set of duty keys when I'm working. They currently live on a locking carabiner clipped to my belt or belt loop at about 9-o'clock. These keys consist of: 4 different narc lock keys for my 3 ALS jobs, 4 different electronic fobs, 1 for each of the 3 jobs, and the 4^th for the volunteer squad and college doors. There's also an O2 wrench from www.wantynu.com. I've found that to be the most useful and durable O2 wrench ever. This key ring is a little big, but if I don't keep everything on one keyring, I loose pieces.

Patient paperwork, monitor strips, etc, often ends up in my shirt or jobshirt breast pockets.

And one of my stethoscopes round out the collection of “my stuff.” It doesn't normally live on my person, but I'll wear it during a call, and usually leave it in the truck.

Actually – one more thing. With all but the transport agency, I have some form of rescue PPE on the truck, at minimum, a bunker coat and helmet. In some cases, it's personally issued to me, in others I just grab a coat that fits and have it handy.

Now that I've said what I carry – let me comment on a few things I DON'T carry. I don't normally carry a penlight. There are several in the ambulance, and I'll use my pocket flashlight (or even my iPhone LED flashlight app) in a pinch. I don't carry a big 'ol “EMT Holster” on my belt. Everything I need is in a pocket... or I don't feel I need it. I don't use a radio holster, either. They have belt clips, so they get clipped to my belt when I'm out of the truck on a call. I don't wear a duty belt, either. Used to, and wore one for 5 years working security. Nowadays I keep my duty belt set up for an occasional armed security gig, including a holster.

Because someone else mentioned footwear – My primary boots are Haix Special Fighter US boots... They are NFPA certed for USAR and EMS. They are also the only boot I've found to fit my Size 16 Wide feet. Otherwise, I wear New Balance sneakers.

Anyway – That's a little long, but it's not only the WHAT of what I carry... but the WHY.

Busy day today, too... Getting my butt kicked, and I'm not even back to work yet.

This evening, I finally watched the season finale of Glee. I've actually watched the show off and on over the last year, with the help of DVD's and Hulu. I'm not sure why I like it - but I do. Maybe its because the geeks actually sorta win? No matter what, it's actually an upbeat show that isn't quite comedy, and isn't really drama... so where does it fall, anyway?

No... my school didn't have glee club... and I stopped singing choir after 9th grade.

Lost on Youtube

It's been a busy weekend - still have a bunch of stuff to do, and I just got lost on Youtube looking at the Fifa World Cup concert videos for about 20 minutes.

I found this one:


I got this song as a "song of the week" download on iTunes a few months. I've listened to some of K'naan's music, and while I don't like all of it, some is quite good. He also did a collaboration track with my favorite artist - Matisyahu, which was different.

Anyway - I really like the tone of this song... I'm not sure why, but I figured I'd share it.

Day 2

Driving home from synagogue tonight, one of my medic classmates texted me. "just had a great code, 6 or 7 different rhythms, complicated as hell"

I've been out of school for about a year now, and it's funny - a bunch of us "baby medics" talk amongst ourselves whenever we have a "good" call. Part of it goes back to our conversation before class started every day, where we'd talk about what we'd seen in clinical that was interesting. I learned a variety of things from those conversations, including WHY a certain command doc hates Fentanyl. Anyway, I think there are 5 or 6 of us that will make it a point to share our experiences with each other after a really "good" or really "bad" call. We usually learn from it, and we are often the only ones that UNDERSTAND the excitement of having that "cool" call, as many of the old-head medics have seen it all already.

Anyway - I gotta get back to moving. I'm moving across the hall in the apartment, to a room with a WINDOW!