CMP Report #1

This is a little later than I usually post, but that is on account of me mowing the yard this morning. And boy did it need it! But at last I am posting. If you read this before there are pictures, you'll just have to come back in a little while and check again. See, I have to post this from one computer, than load the pictures on the other one and post them from there. Of course you might not read this until it is all here.

As you can see, I didn't post Meleah's Western Part 9 since I got this first report done and those who commented asked for the reports and not Meleah's Western. I hope you enjoy this first report.

Now I can post pictures with this. It was a little bit longer than I planned as I had to jump in the shower and then start the laundry. But here they are if I can figure out how to get them on.:)

CMP Report #1

Welcome all of you to the first report of the first class of the v

ery first Joplin Citizen’s METS Academy. I will be your reporter for these next eight weeks. (Well, eight weeks total.)

Dad and I arrived at the METS building about 5:4(from CPA) and her mom (we were at a DWI checkpoint together), Paula (was in charge of the CPA) and her husband, two others who had gone through the CPA and were now Sentinels. John (from CPA) had to work that night, and Marie (from CPA but had to drop out) and another lady were not there. Stephanie was the only one of the group who had not gone through the CPA. She works at Dillions with John and learned of this from him. Meaghan had to stop by to say hi to all of us from the CPA.

It was a little after 6:00 when we got started. Marc introduced himself and told us that he really wanted our opinions about things as they had never done anything like this before. Jerry was also introduced who would be helping. We watched a power point while Marc talked about what METS was. (For those of you who are wondering, METS stands for Metro Emergency Transport System.) The Joplin METS does not take any subsidizing from taxes or anything like that. Did you know that the first ambulances were actually station wagons with a light on the top and were run by the funeral home? That was back in the 60s. The person driving the “ambulances” would hope that the victim was dead. It would mean business. It they weren’t, they would to quote Marc, “toss them in the back of the station wagon, hop in the drivers seat -- if there were two people they would both get in the front -- and take off for the hospital.” Anyone wish they could try it? In the 70s, the first real ambulance was built.

We learned that they have four 24 hour ambulances, two 12 hours ambulances and one 8 hour ambulance for the peak demand during the day. The 8 hour night shift usually transports people from Joplin to another city.

After the power point was over, we had a ten minute break and then Jerry talked. During his talk some of the other personal from the station came in and took seats. This was a new thing and most of them didn’t know what was going on. We saw pictures of all kinds of things that you might run into when you do a ride-along. Hmmm, I’m might be having second thoughts on doing a ride-along.

Did you know what in reality, most medics on the ambulances won’t jump right out and run to the victim? They make sure the scene is safe and that they won’t be hit by any oncoming traffic. That wouldn’t be a good idea. One of the most common complaints is that they are so slow.:) They are really just making sure things are safe.

If an ambulance arrives on a scene after a fire truck, who is in charge of the victims and says what to do? The medics. They will even tell doctors and nurses who are trying to help, to basically get out of the way and let them do it. Of course they are a little more polite then that.

In most movies and TV shows the ambulances always race down the street at top speed. Actually they don’t go more than ten miles above the speed limit. Keep that in mind next time you call 9-1-1 and they are a little while in getting there.

Have you ever wondered how they decide where to take the victim? Here in Joplin they take turns. One week it will be Freeman and the next St. John’s. If the person is conscious and requests a certain hospital, they will take them there unless they really need the hospital and one is closer.

Roger, Ed, Steph and John (paramedic) in the kitchen/recreation room

The tour of the building was next. It was fun going out to the bay and seeing the ambulances. We divided into two groups, Dad, Ed, Steph and I were in one with two paramedics, Chris and John. Chris took us in and showed us where things were. He also said the one bag he hate to have to use is the, I forget the name he called it, but it is the birthing bag. The one thing that the medics hate doing is delivering a baby! So, if you know someone is going to have a baby, call the midwife and not the ambulance if you can or go to the hospital. They’d like it better. Chris looks at John and says,
“You’ve been working here how long?”
“About 15 years.”
“And how many babies have you delivered?”
John replies, “None.”
I don’t remember if Chris said how long he had worked but he had delivered four and really doesn’t want to do any more.:)

Chris showing us one of the storage places on the ambulance

We were shown where all their equipment on the outsides was and then Chris added something that really made me not sure I want to go on a ride-along.
Looking at Dad and me he said,
“Now I just want to tell you this now, the jokes on the ambulance are crude and the language is foul. Don’t take it personal, that’s just the way it is.”

I thought how sad that was. Aren’t there any Christian ambulance drivers and medics who pray on their way to an emergency? Aren’t there some who don’t tell crude or off colored jokes and who honor the Name of Christ? I guess not in Joplin.

This is the computer inside the cab

Anyway, while we were out in the bay, one shift came in. Several of them looked curiously at us and asked Marc what was going on. He explained and I heard some comments: “Neat!” “What a good idea.” “That’s great.”

Back to the meeting room where we got instructed about riding in an ambulance quickly, and figured out who was bringing a meal next week. Dad volunteered us for dessert. Hmm, I wonder what he is going to get Sarah to make?:) I only make box brownies.:) Marc also handed out our shirts. Now these aren’t just any shirt or T-shirt, these are collared polo's that are navy and red with a little white on them. They even have a Citizen’s METS Academy with the logo on them! Wow! I guess it pays to come to the first class.

The logo on our shirts!

That is all until next week. I hope you can join me then as we do CPR. Until then this is Rebekah, your corespondent from the first CMP. Thank you for joining me.


Was it worth reading? Did you learn anything new?