About Me
Posted 1 year, 7 months ago at 2:03 pm. 27 comments
Thanks for coming to my website. I’m Steve Whitehead, a firefighter paramedic for the South Metro Fire Rescue Authority.
My first EMT job was in San Jose California with a company called PacMed. In 1992 PacMed merged with several local services and adopted the name AMR. That same year I became a paramedic and moved on.
Since that time I have been a paramedic field instructor, an EMS supervisor, a firefighter and an instructor of EMTs at all levels. I’m currently an instructor with South Metro’s EMT program. It was my experiences teaching and tutoring the South Metro EMT students that inspired me to create The EMT Spot.
Another point of inspiration has been my experiences as a freelance author. I have been writing for EMS journals for over five years now and have found the experience both rewarding and challenging. I’ve had the good fortune to see my articles on the cover of EMS Magazine, Advanced Rescue Technology and JEMS. Nothing has helped me hone my own EMT knowledge and skills quite like writing about the subject for a larger audience. In that respect, The EMT Spot is as much a commitment to my own ongoing development as it is to yours.
I write The EMT Spot from my home in Parker Colorado where I live with my wife of 11 years and our two grade school age children. My family and I are active members of Southeast Christian Church here in Parker and I am involved in outreach missions to Panama. Our family enjoys wilderness hikes, skiing, SCUBA diving and daddy’s famous pancakes.
Thanks for being a part of my website. Come back soon.
Just wanted to write and thank you for this website- I’m a new EMT in San Francisco and currently job hunting. What a great resource you’ve built here!
Cheers,
C
I stumbled across your website recently, and I really enjoy it. Thank you for taking the time to do it!
do you have any of your past emt exams I really need some tips I am in the westmed emt course and I got a D on one of the exams but I am doing well on everything else, let me know
I am here in san jose, ca
I am linking your page to mine.
Hey thanks NYC. I always appreciate a link-up.
April, I’m currently working on an E-book to address that very question. I’m sorry I don’t have more to offer you right now. ;-(
Courtney and AdCy thank you.
Hi Steve. I’m starting an EMT class this January of 2010, at Baldy View Regional Occupational Program center in Ontario, CA. I chose this program because it offers the most hands on experience and practice between class hours, ride alongs, and clinical shifts of all the programs I have researched available here in southern California. I’ll be an older student, 47, entering a professional field completely different from anything I’ve ever done before (English major, B.A. and M.A.). I am so excited and so looking forward to all I have to learn . Been studying ahead of time, two books of medical terminology later, I just want to be on the ball, there’s so much to learn. I’ve been surfing on the web exploring every EMS/EMT site I can find and so, stumbled on yours! First article I just read was about the foundational importance of good “basic” EMT skills. That’s just what I want to achieve. Do you have any advice/recommendations/thoughts for someone starting out and older, like me? Thanks!
Thanks for bringing back some fond memories. Keep up the good work.
Hey Steve,
Some of us are old enough to remember when you first started putting words on a page. I love your website and your writing!!!
Cheers,
Mike
I am an EMT in Vermont, running with a small town ambulance service and full time ski patroller. I have visited your site often for information and to improve my skills. Thank you
@Becky I’m glad you find the site useful. Thanks for your comment. Be careful out there on the slopes.
@Mike Thanks Mike. You’ve always been a great EMS writing mentor to me. You influenced my writing long before I even considered doing it myself. Thanks for coming by.
@Charles, Thanks my friend.
@Lisa, Your life experience will be immeasurably helpful in your quest to become a caregiver. You’re starting off with that advantage. And you’re not old … you’re in your prime. Have fun.
Nice site.As a medic this makes for great reading at work.
Hey, thanks Nolan. I’m glad you like the site. You keep reading and I’ll keep writing.
Hi Steve- I read your article in the December EMS mag (The Power of Words) and I wanted to check out your site. I was vry impressed with your article- I retired from EMS 2 years ago to further pursue my nursing career. But I go into nursing because of EMS. Your perspective is so importaant- respect is the most precious thing you can give to anyone- but especially to someone you care for as a patient. THey are vulnerable, and probably not at their best. I work with geriatric community and dementia patients respond quicker to a respectful approach than anything else. Speaking to a patient on their level, is the only thing that will establish the rapport you need to help them . Dememtia patients can be difficult, but in spite of the confusing world they live in, they sense respect- and they remeber the many years of living as an independent adult with the freedom to choose. Don’t take that away from them Even animals respond to respect when establishing communication with them. Very few medical personnel seem to understand the need for showing respect, and I thank you for your article- it was much needed.
Nice to see a fellow believer/blogger putting up a strong effort. Nice page. I’m putting a link to your blog on mine. If you know of any others, let me know. You’re an inspiration to many.
Thanks
Hey Steve,
I heard about your website, and had to check it out. It is a really good resource for all of us in the EMS field. Having such a talented, and knowledgeable instructor such as yourself was a pleasure, and a requirement for the challenges we face day to day in the job.
Keep it up, and good luck with the nomination!
Your former student,
Evan Hickey
@Nancy. Thanks for your contribution. I imagine your work with dementia patients must take a tremendous amount of patience. I’m glad the article met with your approval.
@Dave Thank Dave I appreciate the link. I’m glad you like the site.
@Evan Hey brau. great to hear from you. I’m gad to hear that your EMT career is going well and glad that you found the site. I look forward to your comments.
Hey Steve, I sent you an email a few weeks ago regarding SMFR EMT-B practicals…if you need victims, then I’m your guy, just let me know, and I will try to fit it into my schedule!
-Evan
Just stumbled across your site one night and I’m already hooked. Thank you for the great information and advice! Keep up the good work.
Excellent site.
Hey Steve I am a 17 year old and a junior in high school and I am thinking about enrolling in an EMT-B class at Jefferson University Hospital and then after high school going into paramedic school but I am worried about the pay. Any advice
Steve, Thank you for this Blog. I am an EMT student and I find your site to be incredibly helpful and encouraging. I like that you speak out against patronizing attitudes towards Basic level EMT’s (those of others and of themselves) and promote professionalism and a constant quest for knowledge and learning. With all you do, you must be incredibly busy, but you are also amazingly dedicated and real role model to those of us just getting our feet wet in EMS. Thanks.
Dear Steve,
I laughingly quip that I came to EMS as a mid-life crisis, and, after having 8 children and several teenagers, I believed I was well-prepared for the juvenile attitudes I all-too-easily found. But I also have found a profession that I feel emulates Jesus’ ministry in that we are not sitting back and waiting for those in need of healing to come to us–we are taking the healing to the places where those that hurt need us to be. And as a primary instructor for basic EMT classes, I emphasize to those students that sometimes the most healing touch that we offer is the human one. Even something as basic as holding a hand can make all the difference to a life that is often hurting just as much emotionally as physically.
I stumbled upon your site accidentally while searching to clarify the concept of “duty to act” for one of my students. I am thankful to have found what I believe to be a kindred spirit to that of my own: a member of the EMS community that is not afraid to care, to share, to teach, to learn, to grow and to go to meet the needs of those that God brings into my path.
Thanks for joining all of us in the journey, and for sharing all of your gifts with us!
Dear Steve,
I have been trolling your site for a while, and I figured now was a good of a time as any to say hello. I love reading what you write; you have a gift. You can get that spark to re-ignite in me when I wonder why I do this job anymore.
Thank you, thank you, Thank You!
~M. Trommashere~
PacMed? That was a long time ago. I used to work for Medevac in San Jose and Regional in Alameda County, before they both became AMR. I have also worked for DGH, but am now in SoCal. You made a good choice at leaving to Colorado. Where did you got to Medic School? Stanford class of ’89 here.
Mark