FFEMT2RN - Love the Emergency Dept!

Hometown:

Santa Barbara

I Live: (City, State)

Santa Ynez Valley/Santa Barbara County, California

Years in Fire/EMS:

Over 20 years total combined!

Why I Joined the Fire/EMS:

The ultimate "customer service" position. Being able to help others in need when they are unable to help themselves.

Relationship Status:

Separated

Primary Fire/EMS Department:

AMR/GV-SYV Cottage Hospital ER/formerly w/CAL FIRE - Riverside County Fire Department

Department Type:

Fire/Rescue Department - Paid, EMS/Rescue Squad/Hospital EMS - Paid, Private EMS

Rank/Role There:

Training Officer, Firefighter / EMT-Basic, EMT - Basic, Other

Years With This Department/Agency

AMR (1), Hospital (1), Fire (4) Paid-Call FF/EMT & (5) Professional FF/EMT-D

Dept. Web Site:

http://www.rvcfire.org/opencms/index.html

Second Department (if appl.)

SYVCH - Emergency Department/3rd. Job - AMR

2nd Department Type:

Industrial/Institutional, EMS/Rescue Squad/Hospital EMS - Paid

Rank/Role at Second Department:

EMT - Basic, Other

Years With Second Department/Agency

(1) each

Web Site:

http://www.sbch.org/

Other Past or Current Departments:

FirstMed Ambulance - 1 year
US Navy (R) - 4 years total - DC3 & HM3 - 2 yrs each
CAL FIRE - RVC - Riverside County Fire - 1 year
CDF - BEU - San Benito/Monterey - 2 years
CDF - CZU - Santa Cruz/San Mateo - 2 years
Boulder Creek Fire Protection District - 4 years (paid-call volunteer)

My Training:

Extensive and on-going....Firefighter 2 RN!

About Me:

NO regrets, just lesions learned, in both life and the kitchen! My love of the ocean is where my soul reconnects with reality (surfing) and seafood (one of my favorites); I catch my second wind to keep on going! I have had many life experiences some incredible and some very difficult. I try to take everything in stride by keeping my positive attitude and outlook at life in general. I have a handful of people that I consider true friends and numerous people I consider acquaintances. I served as a Naval Reservist for 4 years which was an incredible learning experience. Presently I work full time in (2) Emergency Depts. as a Patient Care Technician (PCT/EMT) both in Santa Barbara County. I also work for an ambulance company as a non-emergency driver part-time. I served for nearly 10 years in the fire service until injury and distance contributed to my career change. I am now pursuing a nursing degree.

During my off time/seasons from the FD, I worked in the Hospitality field providing guest service as a resident Innkeeper, for an upscale 4 diamond Bed & Breakfast for over 10 years. I gave 8 years to Amtrak, working at over 17 stations between San Diego and Vancouver, British Columbia. My love of cooking was a staple at the firehouse. We sure loved to cook! We did a lot of cooking for fund raising dinners and breakfasts. I now cook for a hobby & fun and am putting together a Firehouse Cookbook as well as other fun adventures. I also enjoy doing volunteer work which is another huge part of my life. The (3) main; Surfrider Foundation, Santa Barbara County Vintners' Assn., and the SB Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Come follow me on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/CJamz

Day Job:

Patient Care Technician (PCT)/ER Tech. - Ambulance Driver & Attendant

Side Jobs or Other Organizations:

Volunteer over 13 years with the Santa Barbara County Vintners' Association, Member of the Surfrider Foundation since 1987, supporting member of the IAFF and CPF, supporter of CSFA and NAEMT. Volunteer on the DAT and DSHR Team of the American Red Cross, Santa Barbara Chapter.

Personal Site/Profile:

http://allrecipes.com/Cook/13849722/Profile.aspx

Top Issues Facing Responders:

SAFETY and proper TRAINING!

I Love Being in Fire/EMS Because:

Going Code 3! Kidding, sort of, helping others is what it is all about. The smile of someone you made a difference to.