EMS then verses now

Recently I had to take an ambulance ride. The experience gave me flashbacks to the time when I was on the opposite side of the gurney. Wow...emergency medical services have come a long way from when I worked in the field.

Let's start with the start of the service. Today's ambulances are a far cry from the vehicles I worked in. My first unit was a converted suburban. I was 'fortunate' enough to get transferred to a Cadillac within a month, then shortly after to a low-top van. The goal of EMTs at our company was the high-top van.

The Lady of Shalott - which version do you like?

I'm not a huge fan of poetry but I have developed a taste for some poets. One of authors I like is the renown Lord Alfred Lord Tennyson. He was a prolific writer and even folks who hate poetry (I was one of those) have probably heard of his works. The Lady of Shalott has two versions. Lovers of New Age music will recognize the revised version since Loreena McKennitt turned it into a haunting song. Tennyson also penned the famous "The Charge of the Light Brigade". 

In the "Lady", the first version made extensive use of 'flowery' language.  In the second writing, Tennyson toned it down somewhat. I think he was criticized by family and/or friends and chose to make the changes for readability. Which do you prefer? Why do you think he made the changes? Regardless, I still love this poem.

Nevada POST working on Mandate for Dispatcher training

The process has been slow but it is getting there. A bill is winding it's way through the Nevada Legislature to make it mandatory for all law enforcement dispatchers to be trained and certified through POST. The first hurdle was getting POST (Peace Officer Standards and Training) to accept that Dispatchers needed to have a minimal training. After the meetings were successful, personnel went to the NV State Congress to find a sponsor. As you see below, we have one.


2017
Certification of Law Enforcement Dispatchers
Status: Pending - Assembly Government Affairs Committee ...(tharr be more)
Date of Last Action:* 2/13/2017
Author: Carlton (D)
Topics: 9-1-1 Other/Miscellaneous
Summary: Provides for the certification of law enforcement dispatchers.
History: Click for History
02/13/2017 - INTRODUCED.
02/13/2017 - Prefiled pursuant to JSR 14.2.1(d).
02/13/2017 - To ASSEMBLY Committee on GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS.



Why do we (Dispatchers) want this?

Think! Respectability comes with requirements of certification and training. We as a profession must start somewhere. Just having the two-year NCIC/NCJIS is not enough. For those who offer pre-arrival medical instruction (EMD), you are required to have CPR and EMD training, plus annual continuing education. Departments must provide that to you. How many of your agencies give you to the chance at other training once you've finished your basic orientation? POST certification is the first step for many NV Dispatchers.

I know Nevadans hate being compared to Californians but I remember when Dispatchers in CA started getting POST certification through POST. At first, it was just the basics: Basic Dispatcher, Civilian Training Officer, and Civilian Supervisor.  However that changes after the late 80's when the State held focus groups for Dispatchers to see what types of training programs we wanted and soon we had Fire Dispatcher, Tactical Dispatcher, and Advanced Dispatcher. Now there is a catalog of courses for Dispatchers.

Think about that: an entire catalog of courses specifically for Telecommunicators.

We could have that in Nevada.

Go to the below link. Click on share your opinion. Scroll down and look for bill 151.


http://asm.leg.state.nv.us/Assembly/


Stay safe out there!

Whose life is being celebrated by Hollywood?

Sunday night Actress Viola Davis was awarded an Oscar for her Supporting role in "Fences". Ms. Davis gave what was a heartfelt speech. She is an intelligent woman with a good career. I just have to wonder why she didn't take a little more care with her words so as to not offend 99% of this great country of ours?

Calypso: a Thaelia's World original short story

10th day of the Bear Moon, 1194

 

Edward sat in the great hall with Sir Bryan of Foxwarre and Sir Gaston of Zulchai. Edward was the cousin of the late Earl Braeden du Faucione. Braeden’s ten year old son, Phillip was now Earl but due to his age, the lands were administered by Braeden’s half-brother Sir Kevin. After years of acting as Marshal for the Faucione family, Edward was granted lands as a reward and added to his property by purchasing surrounding acreage. Thanks to a little nudge from Queen Gaelynn, the former wife of Braeden, the romance between Edward and Sophie flourished. That Sophie was Gaelynn’s First Lady-in-Waiting and dear friend probably helped. The two women kept in touch with weekly letters. Gaelynn was influential with sending knights looking for service to Edward.

Words of wisdom to live by from a chivalrous man

I was going through one of my reference books and saw these words. I think they are relevant to Public safety in general and law enforcement in particular. They were written in the Fourteenth Century French knight called Geoffroi de Charny. Geoffroi was a very interesting man. He served in the Hundred Years war, dying at the Battle of Poitiers in 1356, carrying the banner (the Oriflamme) of the French King Philippe VI. He had, at one time, been captured by Edward III and held in London. Charny was an advocate of chivalry and big in the tourney circuits. In fact, the passages below were taken from his work, “The Book of Chivalry". His family owned the Shroud of Turin for a while.

One of his passions was passing on his knowledge.  He wrote three books, taking information from another famous knight, Raymond Lull. His words below are from his book on Chivalry.

Update on Book Three of Greycliff's Chronicles

I'm almost done with writing and editing. Cross my fingers, but I hope to have it out in July. This is the cover I am considering for use. Still not completely sold on it, though. Any opinions? It is supposed to be a picture of Gaelynn and Ranulf (not a custom picture).