Yay, I passed!

[MovedGoalPosts]

Originally Posted by towny

Nice one Jerrek.

Volunteering for the emergency services is a little different over here - you can volunteer for the police (completely unpaid) or the fire service (you have a day job but get called on as a 'retained' firefighter, which does attract pay), but as Charlie says, the nearest we have to a volunteer ambulance service is St John Ambulance. Organisers of major public events use them to provide on-site first aid cover, but they don't do any of the big rushing through the streets lifesaving stuff AFAIK.

St John's ambulance are frequently "out & about" at peak times doing a lot of fetching and carying work to releive the stress on the main ambulance services in the UK. Their vehicles do have blue lights, so if there was a need, I'm quite sure the drivers. if authorised to drive at that level, would do a blue light run. However I don't think the St Johns would be the primary response to an incident.

As an aside, being a passenger in a police response vehicle doing a blue light run across Surrey, in the rush hour, was one of he most jaw dropping experiences I've ever had. Roller Coaster rides and the like aren't a patch on it. You just never know what the reaction of the next driver you encounter will be, except it is going to be unpredictable

Voluntary work with the emergency services can be extremely rewarding, demanding, and a bit of an eye opener. If you have the time and are prepared for the commitment, I can recommend it.

Originally Posted by Jerrek

By passing a special driving test this afternoon, I have finally passed all the requirements necessary to get a permit to drive an emergency services vehicle. Up to now I've been mainly the hands-on paramedic, but now I have expanded a bit and if need be I'm permitted to drive an ambulance. Might give me an occasional break from having to sit in the back telling people they're going to make it, and to remain calm, and to not move, and ... (it is actually a wee bit more involved than that... You wouldn't believe how messed up some people are when they are rushed to the hospital.) Not that I'm complaining... It is a very satisfying way, to me, of spending my time.

If you're bored Saturdays, why not sign up and volunteer? You learn lots, and meet lots of new people. Not to mention there are certain quirks... Such as being invited to parties and events you wouldn't usually have access to. The people around you will appreciate you helping them.

Guess im a bit confused here, one week your a student and dont haqve much money, this week your a paramedic and now youve passed your test to be an ambulance driver?

Originally Posted by gary_580

Guess im a bit confused here, one week your a student and dont haqve much money, this week your a paramedic and now youve passed your test to be an ambulance driver?

He's volunteered for St John Ambulance. It appears St John gets paramedics into the thick of it a little more in Canada than they do over here.

ahhhhhhh gotcha, didnt think St Johns Ambulance were paramedics. Dont they just administer plasters and tie people up in bandages?

[zoombini]

Well done lad...

[luftys]

Glad you made it,in the end

[Marge]

Originally Posted by gary_580

ahhhhhhh gotcha, didnt think St Johns Ambulance were paramedics. Dont they just administer plasters and tie people up in bandages?

I'm qualified to tie people up in bandages, any volunteers ???

and btw Well Done Jerrek

[DrAwesome]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

I'm qualified to tie people up in bandages, any volunteers ???

So thats your chosen fetish....







Congrats Jerrek

[Jerrek]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

I'm qualified to tie people up, any volunteers ???

Yes!

and btw Well Done Jerrek

Thank you.

[Jerrek]

Originally Posted by gary_580

ahhhhhhh gotcha, didnt think St Johns Ambulance were paramedics. Dont they just administer plasters and tie people up in bandages?

In general, no, St. John Ambulance is not a real ambulance services, and are not real paramedics. However, being in the wonderful socialized Canada, government funding is never enough and they are frequently needed.

I mostly do the go-to-special-events-and-keep-an-eye-on-stupid-people kind of thing. Although I did do the paramedics course and know how to administer oxygen, stick a pipe down someone's throat, etc.

[Jerrek]

Originally Posted by gary_580

Guess im a bit confused here, one week your a student and dont haqve much money, this week your a paramedic and now youve passed your test to be an ambulance driver?

You can be a student and a volunteer at St. John ambulance...

[luftys]

Originally Posted by Debsy42

I'm qualified to tie people up in bandages, any volunteers ???

can I bring my own whip?

Originally Posted by Debsy42

I'm qualified to tie people up in bandages, any volunteers ???

and btw Well Done Jerrek

errm notice the order that came out. Fetish and then congrats!!! hmm can you substitute bandages?

Originally Posted by luftys

can I bring my own whip?

who are you? Frankie Dettori?

[luftys]

my ride is always a winner