Passing of the patch

[Guest guest]

Some of us old school medics and EMT's remember when we got or first patch from

that much respected, but rarely appreciated, senior EMS provider. I remember my

first patch very well, ok, most of it. I remember running a call with him.

Afterwards, he pulled me aside. I just knew I was in trouble for something, I

just didn't know what for. Looking back, I guess I was expecting to be

corrected or " educated " as that was just his way. He would never embarrass me

in front of others when it came to patient care. He would quietly, but

directly, educate me about the patient's condition, why we needed to treat them

a particular way and how I was expected to perform next time. It was one of the

many, many reasons that I have tried to honor his service to the community and

to his coworkers by being the best paramedic I can be. There was a little

saying or poem that went along with the " passing of the patch. " After 22 years,

I can't remember what it said. I have passed many patches over the years but I

just had to wing it, trying to sound wise, without being so serious or sappy

that my words were not apprecciated.

If anyone happens to have a copy of it or just remembers that little poem or

saying, I would really like to have a copy. Please feel free to email me

offline our post it here for others to appreciate. Maybe you have a poem or

saying that was passed to you. Anyways, enough reminiscing, the tones are

dropping. Gotta run. Ya'll be safe!