I have a lot of them, but one that comes to mind is when we get a warrant and have to kick them loose because the one Co Jail we deal with refuses to take on anything less than a felony - regardless of the charge. I had an officer set up by a couple of yahoos who decided to steal a chainsaw in broad daylight in front of him. They went to a gas station across the street and stood there waiting for him....all the while giving hand and eye signals. There was no backup for over 30 miles, and he was calling for emergent backup. He was able to get one in custody while the other got away. The one in custody continued to scream about how he knew where he lived and he was going to kill the officer and his family. I called the jail to let them know our officer was enroute and they told me to tell him they wouldn't take the guy. I ended up talking to a Sgt. at the jail *****fused - even considering the cir****tances. I told him it wasn't my job to argue with him and I refused to tell my trooper not to continue. I said if they wouldn't take him that was their perogative but we were dropping him off at their door and doing OUR job. This all started from a sheriff in that county who was playing games with the public and they called his bluff and took funding. They were short on personnel, so their response to that was to kick everyone out of jail and to not take anything less than life or death emergency calls. If you had a burglary, you had to stand in line between 1p-4p Monday - Thursday to get a form to fill out and file. No officer response at all. That was probably close to 10 years ago and they still keep that policy on the jail at least. Just one of the many. Dina

I'll be with you in spirit........but the body will be asleep! I wish you the best

Well, I will be going back to work tomorrow night for graveyard. Too funny because I've been staying up all night long for about a month, but THIS week my body decided to go on dayshift. Isn't that the way? I have to try to force myself to stay awake tonight as long as I can and then sleep in tomorrow so I can get back on graveyard. Usually it's not hard for me because I'm a night owl, but knowing me I'll be exhausted the first day back! Well, here's hoping I don't forget something major and that I make it through the night okay! Dina

1) Where do you work?...... SCOTLAND CO. AMBULANCE SERVICE 2) How long have you been in EMS....... BEEN EMT SINCE 2001 3) Do you dispatch for everything (fire, police, ems) or do you specialize in one certain area?....I HAVE DISPATCHED A LITTLE BIT 4) What do you love the most about being in EMS....... I LOVE WORKING FOR AN AMBULANCE 5) What do you dislike the most about being in EMS....LATE AND LONG NIGHTS 6) Do you get paid what you are worth? NO WAY 7) What shift do you like working? And what shift are you on....WE ARE ON 24 HR SHIFTS 8) What was your most harrowing call...CAR WRECK OF A HIGH SCHOOL FRIEND OF MY DAUGHTER 9) Can you remember one of your funniest calls...YES TRANSFERED A PATIENT WITH EARLY AHLZEIMER, SHE WAS A HOOT 10) Have you ever talked to anyone famous in the course of your job?....NO 11) Relating to diet: What is the hardest thing you have or think you will encounter regarding having the wls when back at work?........I AM A SPOUSE OF WLS PATIENT 12) What is the favorite junk food in your comm center?......ICE CREAM 13) Are you a water drinker at work, or do you tank up on coffee or soda?....SODA/WATER.....I HATE COFFEE 14) Do you find yourself distrusting of other people...NO 15) Do you like to watch Cops on TV or any of the other emergency reality programs?....YES I WATCH PARAMEDIC SOMETIMES ON TV 16) Do you like the other reality shows (i.e. Survivor, etc)?........NO 17) Do your co-workers know you had or are going to have wls?.....NOT GETTING WLS 18) Are the people in your life (co-workers, family, friends) supportive of your choice for wls?.....YES, THEY SUPPORT MY WIFE 19) Do you have a pretty informal comm center, or is everything kept very professional? (Clothing, protocol, etc).......SOMEWHAT INFORMAL 20) What is your strongest ability?.......THINK ON MY FEET

Laura - Good luck and let us know when you hear on the job. Shouldn't take too long, I would think!!! Dina