Scary Sky

Hurricane Gustav looms over Canal Street.

New Poll!

In view of our new best friend Gustav, here's a question for everyone:

What is your favorite flavor of MRE?
Leave your responses in the "comments" section beneath this post. Peace!

Didn't Think This Could Happen

Two streetcars ran into each other! Apparently there's one place on
earth where the tracks cross. These two happened to try to occupy that
one place at the same time.

Streetcar collision

One was turning into the barn on Canal; the other one ran into it!

Jeb Tate, RN

Yet another one of our EMT's has taken the plunge into the purgatory
that is the field of nursing! Gratz to Jeb Tate, RN. He passed his
Louisiana state boards today! And I was remiss in posting Samantha
Graham's passage into the paradise of poop also. So a belated Gratz to
her too!
We can haz a raise now, missah?

Slavery in EMS

Poor Katrina, already precepting for free, washes the truck while white oppressors look on. Slavery is alive & well!

By the way, Katrina is an excellent student!

Creative AMA Writing 101

Ever get bored calling in those same old AMA's? Same dull formula every time? Ever actually start snoring during a medical control report? I know I have; that's why I've created a handy list of alternate vocabulary to use when calling in AMA's.

After the billionth time of saying "blah, blah, blah... the patient really doesn't want to go, we've encouraged her to seek medical attention but she still adamantly refuses... blah, blah, blah," it gets a little bland doesn't it?

Well, next time you need to call in an AMA, why not vary your radio report a little with some different, obscure vocabulary? After all, variety is the spice of life at EMS! Mix and match words from the lists for a fun twist on your reports!

"Blah, blah, blah... the patient

adamantly
firmly
inflexibly
rigidly
insistently
stubbornly
unyieldingly
pigheadedly
intransigently
obstinately
obdurately
firmly
pertinaciously
emphatically
brassboundly
implacably

refuses transport with EMS. We

strongly
ardently
explicitly
firmly
soundly
vehemently
vigorously
zealously
keenly
forthrightly
forcefully
earnestly
urgently

encouraged
exhorted
goaded
pleaded
urged
prodded
pressed
begged
admonished
spurred
beseeched
solicited
implored
supplicated
petitioned
coaxed
entreated
adjured
insisted

that he/she go to the hospital, but they still decline. Calling for an AMA... blah, blah, blah."

Now isn't that more interesting? You get to enjoy your AMA more and you have the added fun bonus of sending the new little residents scrambling for their dictionaries! Everybody's happy!

Thanks for letting an old dog join the blog....hope to hear from some of ya'll soon.

I've also added this great photo I took of Brian B. Christmas time around 1996

Brett (B. J.) Schneider

Brian Bordelon

One of our former paramedics, Brian James Bordelon, died August 11th of cancer. Many of us at EMS remember Brian well. He was an outstanding paramedic, one from "the old days." He took no shit from anyone, and was perfectly happy to dish it out too. We are proud to have known him and serve the city with him.

We remember all the good times we had with him - going for a beer, enjoying his beloved Jazz Fest together, trying to imagine what it was like living with Placide Jumonville and Thomas Jordan. He entertained us all with his stories and writings. He gave us countless hours of amusement as he terrorized new EMT's (those EMT's might not remember him so fondly!).

We will certainly miss Brian. Fond memories or not, he is not one to be forgotten!

Here's his obituary.


Brian (on left) & me at Jazz Fest.
Farewell, Brian!

Tactical Condoms, Anyone?

Tactical: –adjective

1.	of or pertaining to tactics, esp. military or naval tactics.

2.	characterized by skillful tactics or adroit maneuvering or procedure: tactical movements.

3.	of or pertaining to a maneuver or plan of action designed as an expedient toward gaining a desired end or temporary advantage.

4.	expedient; calculated.

5.	prudent; politic.

Just the other day I was at Code 3 buying some new uniforms. I couldn't help but notice the dazzling array of items for sale labeled as "tactical." There were tactical uniforms, tactical boots, tactical flashlights, even tactical socks! Out of curiosity, I went to Gall's online catalogue and typed in "tactical" on its search bar. It came up with no fewer than 316 items, all with the appellation "tactical" in their description. Among them are tactical shirts, a tactical goggle pouch (free with purchase of tactical goggles!), tactical shorts, tactical key chains, tactical underwear and tactical water bottles. I believe that this proves my theory that if you insert the word "tactical" into the description of any item regardless of its nature, emergency responders will buy it.

I researched the definition of "tactical" as noted above. It is difficult to determine under which of the 5 definitions "tactical socks" would be categorized. I can certainly see how something like a nuclear warhead would be classified as "tactical." It would be difficult to foresee a use for nuclear weapons other than for tactics of some sort. (Cheney: "Hey, Dubya, we got any of those non-tactical nukes layin' around?" Bush: "Sure do. Wanna maybe lob a couple at, say New Guinea? They're not tactical or anything, they're just for fun.") Yet the tactical nature of key chains or underwear eludes me. I have a hard time imagining that before-action mission briefing: "Okay, guys this mission is top secret black ops. Make sure you have your tactical socks with you as they'll play a huge part in this invasion attempt. Also high priority is your tactical goggle pouch and tactical water bottle; lives may depend on them. The enemy may have tactical shirts on so be prepared for that contingency - you all know what to do with an enemy with tactical shirts..."
And so on.

Well, I must go to my kitchen to make a tactical sandwich for my shift tonight in my tactical ambulance with my tactical clipboard and tactical pen. I'll try not to forget my tactical stethoscope and tactical radio pouch. Lives may depend on them.