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So Who Wants To Go To EMS World Expo?

18 comments

I've got three complimentary 3-day core program registrations for EMS World Expo in New Orleans.

These registrations are worth $385 each, folks. If you'd love to attend but the only thing standing in your way is the money, drop me a comment. Be creative.

Most deserving three commenters in the next 24 hours get the registrations.

Ready… GO.

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Posted by on July 5, 2012 • Filed under: EMS World Expo
  • Scooterlewis86

    WWould love to be able to attend the conference for free this year so much so i would even wear a lanemt virgin hat like i did a few years ago and shout at the top of my lungs kelly is the greatest lol.also about to start as a full time basic and like to continue my education also on the plus note i can sit to listen to your pod cast while there.. have a good day … be safe….. Joseph Lewis

  • BryanL

    So I enquired to management at my service re: sponsorship…..for what they asked???   EMS World Expo in New Orleans said I… sounds like an awesome educational opportunity amd a different perspective from where I practice in the Greater Toronto Area (Ontario, Canada).  Response….. no way in hell.  What do you think you can learn from those simple American medics…. don’t you know they just adminster medications by the colour on the box?

    Pissed me off!

  • Jessi

    I’ve mulled over the thought of going to the Expo over the last 2 years since I’ve returned from Israel (where I lived for 4 years doing fire/ambulance). Let’s just say it’s been a “rough landing” since coming home…I’m a EMT-B and looking to further my career (not necessairly in the state I’m in, Pennsylvania) and my company looks at me like I have 4 heads when I go and try to take “extra” courses. They think that I should take the bare minimum con-ed’s to keep my cert and anything extra is just “useless”. So it’s discouraging, frustrating and sometimes downright maddening. 

    I think being at the conference would allow me to a) be around like minded people, b) provide a heck of a lot of education I’m secretly craving and c) give me job networking opportunities. 

    Either way – win or lose – if it’s not this year, I WILL make it to at least one conference in the near future. I’m more determined than my company big-heads think I am. :)

  • Brian

    This time last year (when I went to the LANREMT conference)  I was both a field medic and the new ops manager at a (very) little rural service in Louisiana… one of the few parishes in SE Louisiana not served by The Borg.  The company was already deep in debt, one of the three partners had already bailed and declared bankruptcy, the second had just bailed out, and the remaining owner had no business sense. 

    As the new operations manager, I thought I had a chance to make some changes and make it profitable again.  Do some marketing, work to improve our run reports to increase our revenue.  And I tried, man, I tried so goddamn hard… but I was just rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic.  Maybe I bought us an extra month, I don’t know.  The company closed its doors in February, owing me a LOT of back pay.  

    A few months later, and I’m working offshore as a medic.  I’m in a better place financially, but I’m still trying to claw my way out of a deep, deep hole.  Santa brought presents for the kids, but that meant the house note was a month late.  The wife’s car broke down while I was offshore, and when the one she borrowed also broke down, she tried to rent one. We had the money in the bank, but failed the credit check.

    This conference is practially in my backyard, so instead of a hotel, I can sleep in my own bed at night.  That helps considerably, but it’s still too much cost. 

    I hate to say “woe is me”.   I hate that this national conference is in my city but I can’t afford to go.  And I’m my eyes are leaking as I type (it’s dusty in here).  But this is the only way I can go.

  • http://www.facebook.com/vachel.mcmahan Vachel McMahan

    Wow… This is a pretty sweet prize, and one I would in no way be able to afford otherwise. I don’t know what I should say to prove myself “deserving,” so I’ll just give a little bit of my background.

    I’ve been a paramedic since 2008, and I work for a private service with a lot of problems. Who doesn’t, right? Low pay, long hours, and company politics… It’s a story far too many of us could tell, most better than I could.

    I never planned to get into EMS. I was actually a music major, for the 2.5 years I managed to stick in college. When that ultimately blew up, I kicked around in the service industries for years. Got married, had a kid, got divorced. I was the picture of mediocre in middle America. Then, everything changed.

    Several years ago, my parents and brother were in a head-on collision. The other driver was an uncontrolled diabetic, bottomed out, passed out, and crossed the center line. My ex-wife and I were already in the area, and were at the scene just after fire and EMS. Yes, I was one of those crazy bystander/family members. At the time, I didn’t know any better. I was a mess, and I knew I was a mess. I wasn’t capable of helping myself, much less my family.

    Something sunk in, though. I remember being struck by the fact that these people, these firemen, EMTs, and paramedics were total strangers, yet they were better able to help than I was. It was dark; It was raining; We were in the middle of road construction, but these professional people were there, uncomplaining, and doing what needed to be done.

    I don’t know who they were, and I never will. I can’t thank them personally for the help they rendered that night. I can’t thank them for being there for my Mom’s last minutes of lucidity, before she slipped into the coma she never woke from. I can’t shake a person’s hand, look them in the eyes, and tell them I’m glad they were there.

    A year later, I was offered the opportunity to train to become an EMT, and I jumped at the chance. It seemed to me that the perfect way to thank the folks I’ll never know, was to “do my time,” so to speak. I did my time, and later on, when they offered to pay for paramedic school, I jumped at that opportunity, too. I was in the rare position of being thirty years old, and finally knowing what I want to be when I grow up.

    So, here I am. When I started, I had no idea about the pay, and no idea about the daily stress, but I love my job, I’m proud of what I do, and I do my best to be the best I can. I don’t think this makes me any more “deserving” than anyone else. A trip to the Expo would allow me access to con-ed programs, I wouldn’t otherwise be able to attend, and the better-trained I am, the more likely I am to be for others, what those responders all those years ago were for me.

  • http://liberalartistintheambulance.com/ Katie B.

    I’m a new EMT wanting to start my career off right. I’m DETERMINED to go to this conference (my first), and I am going, with or without one of your free passes. I’ve looked for alternative sources of funding with no luck, so I’ve just decided that I’ll just have to pick up a lot of overtime between now and the conference in order to pay for it (not on the ambulance, mind you–EMS is my second job). 

    SAVE ME MY SANITY AND GIVE MY ONE OF YO PASSES PLEASE! Thanks. =)

  • Asgibbs27

    Not sure what makes me more worthy than others. I would only say that as after gaining my paramedic certification. This past Monday I would love the opportunity to attend the conference and continue my education (in a zero stress environment for once :) )

  • http://lonelyemt.blogspot.com/ Hilinda

    I think it’s great that you are able to offer these! I’m sure you’ll make some folks very happy.
    I’d enter the fray, but for it to do me any good, all three of us would need to be able to go, and even with the conference itself free, there’s travel and hotel expenses. Hard to manage with 3 EMTs in one family!
    Best of luck to everyone, Halloween in New Orleans!
    I looked at the list of sessions. Great variety- and a tough choice much of the time.

  • http://www.facebook.com/ObscureReferenceWoman Harriet Engle

    Wow, what a prize! I guess the best thing to do is tell a bit of my story, too.  Like Vachel, I was a music major, too.  Basically, that means that I can sing “Do you want fries with that?” in 5 languages with or without accompaniment. ;-)  
    I got into EMS in the Spring of ’09 to keep a buddy of mine company.  I’d done first aid type stuff ever since Girl Scouts, and I figured it would be fun.  It was. I found out that I could go to school and go further with EMS, and took the chance.  It went slowly at first, because I was still working the full-time call center job, but when that job moved overseas without us, things picked up.  The gummint decided that we were displaced workers, and thus qualified to have our retraining into another skill set paid for. Since then, 2010, I’ve been scraping by on unemployment and going to school full-time.  I’ve gotten up to EMT-I, and did okay in the class work for the first semester of Paramedic cohort, but clinicals didn’t go so well. (Darn white cloud! LOL) So on the advice of my advisors, I’m finishing up an Associates degree in Pre-Health Sciences, which will be done in December of this year.  After that, I’ll be working to get my skills solidified, and with the degree, I’ll have more options on where to get my Paramedic level in a year or so.
    I’ve already been trying to get involved with the state conferences here, and am a volunteer (very part-time) with a small fire department a few hours north of Albuquerque where I have friends living.
    Not bad for a 46 year old woman who just moved from the Midwest to New Mexico five years ago.  

    Just one question – is there a campsite or a parking lot nearby so I can sleep in my truck? Getting there will really be half the battle!

  • http://www.facebook.com/vachel.mcmahan Vachel McMahan

     I was a music major with a dual concentration. I could sing “Do you want fries with that,” as you mentioned, but I also accompanied myself on the tuba… lol

  • JonEMTP

    Kelly,

    I’m seriously looking forward to going to Expo this year – I was last in New Orleans in 2005, what a week or two after the last New Orleans EMS Expo? I’d really like a chance to experience New Orleans as a tourist destination, and not a disaster zone.

    Given that I’m working 4 part-time jobs to make ends meet, and no longer have a volunteer service to pick up the tab – I’m going to attempt to get to Expo again (failed last year due to a number of things). But I really don’t know how I’m going to afford the registration, on top of airfare and hotel costs. In the end, I’ll resign myself to just getting an exhibit hall pass or something – I love the educational discussions that occur around the conference – some in sessions, and some after hours.

    Oh, and I’m looking forward to the Pistol Packing Paramedic Photo we discussed on #Twitter (after your post discussing you Karrying Kilted last year). 

    PS – I’m only even writing because you said you’ve got multiple passes – Don’t you dare make me win over Brian

  • Laura S.

    First of all…New Orleans!  What a destination.  I’ve wanted to see the city ever since I took French for a good 10 years throughout middle school, high school, and college.  I’ve heard that it’s a dynamic, exciting city full of life and perseverance after Katrina ravaged the city.  I’ve never been to a multi-day EMS conference before, though I’m pretty excited that I was chosen as a speaker at this year’s Symposium in Virginia…I couldn’t have afforded to attend otherwise, so I submitted a paper, and it was accepted.  Yay!

    I’m not sure what makes me “deserving” over anyone else.  I’ve certainly had an interesting road in EMS – I took an EMT class on a whim my senior year in college and fell in love with the job.  I gave up law school and went to Paramedic school instead; which I recently finished.  I volunteered for a year or so, then got a part-time job at an ER and then a full-time job working for a 911 service in a busy urban city.  I became an instructor of many EMS courses and became passionate about teaching others.  I love making books of case studies, rhythm strips, weird stories, and “close misses” that will hopefully inspire others some day.  That’s what I love about blogs, speaking engagements, and conferences – you get a chance to see others write or speak about things that you or your colleagues might have never seen.  It’s such a collaborative effort to better the career field. 

    As much as I love it, and as much passion I’ve put into the work and furthering the education of others, this spring almost ended my career in EMS.

    It was a cold February morning when I woke up early to attend a PALS recertification course.  I woke up to a few text messages, which I told myself I’d get to later – morning text messages are usually just some wackadoo stories that the night shift experienced and couldn’t wait to talk about.  When I finally got around to looking at them, I saw something horrifying – my friend, preceptor, and teacher Josh Weissman, a firefighter/medic in northern Virginia, had been in a line of duty accident.  I spent the morning calling friends and trying to figure out what was happening.  By the time I readied myself for the drive to the hospital about two hours away, Josh was being taken off life support.

    Josh’s funeral was the most tragic thing I’ve ever seen or experienced.  The days afterward were so hard – every time I crossed over a bridge, or worked the scene of a car accident in a confined area, or did something that might be considered “risky” in any way, I held my breath.  Four days after the funeral, I arrived on the scene of a particularly emotional DOA call in the winter snow.  I managed to compose myself appropriately through the duration of the call, but fell apart immediately afterward.  I put off taking my written Paramedic exam.  I avoided everything I could that was related to the job.  I withdrew.  I had a mutual friend recount the details of Josh’s injury and death over and over so that I could process it. 

    I signed up for a Psychology of Death and Dying at the local community college.  It’s helped me learn more about both my own feelings and how I can better support our patients and their families.  I’m finally coming out of a hole that nearly destroyed my career and dreams. 

    Though I wouldn’t dream to say that my story makes me any more deserving than anyone else, I’d be so honored to attend this conference…both to celebrate the rejuvenation of a city that has rebuilt itself and to celebrate the rejuvenation of my career starting to inspire me and bring me happiness again. 

  • Dkruse

    I bought (and read) your book. That, in itself, is deserving of a trip down to your region I would think. Haha just kidding. Besides, work and medic school are also problems with me going. But I must say thank you for offering your free tickets to random folks for nothing more than a worthy comment.

  • http://profiles.google.com/obscurereferencewoman Harriet Engle

    I couldn’t make up my mind, so ended up learning all the instruments and going into Band Instrument Repair.  Unfortunately, those jobs are few and very far between these days.

  • Amanda

    I feel in the wrong for eagerly wanting to go to the EMS world expo with the plans of disregarding all informative and overly prepared speeches so my 12 year old self can play with all the toys my company will probably never get to see.

  • Amanda Johnson

    I feel in the wrong for eagerly wanting to go to the EMS world
    Expo with plans to disregard all the informative and over
    Written speeches so my 12 year old self can play with all the toys my company will probably never get to see.

  • Heather

    I am a paramedic and piercer in New Orleans. I work 10 blocks from the conference. Whomever is going or won the prize feel free to come by the tattoo shop and see us!! We are at 1024 Canal St. 3 blocks from Bourbon Street We will have EMS and Fire Flash printed up, or can do custom tattoos. Prices for EMS work starting between the 60-100 dollar range!!

  • New Orleans Queen

    I’m 19 and hanging on by a thread trying to pass this Basic EMT class. It’s tough, but I don’t want to quit it. One week after my only grandparent I’ve ever known died, my mom and I were wrecked by a guy who was drunk, speeding and texting. We (each) thought we were going to die. An ambulance was behind us who witnessed all; they had been calling all surrounding police trying to get this erratic driver (with no luck.) Fortunately,we only had minor problems; our SUV was towed. God was with us.
    I’ve been longing to go to New Orleans for a long time (any type of trip for a long time), but would enjoy going to the conference and being among all these like-minded individuals. I’ve pretty lonely (an only child, not much family and living in a new town). I’d love to go to this conference. Maybe I can write a little tune about it (I jot down thoughts down sometimes). Don’t know where life will take me, but think it would be a real plus to attend this conference. Thank you for the chance to express here.

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