I had no idea it would be this hard to share ideas with a Geordie Paramedic.  Not the accent, or the socialized Healthcare system, but the sheer time we have to spend moving to and from, not to mention all the side stuff.

I’m currently typing while being interviewed by EMS1′s Shannon Eliot as Mark snaps a photo.

A week ago this was going to be a simple ride along and exchange between friends.  Since then the social media has exploded and we’re shooting background shots, intros and interview footage for the Chronicles of EMS.  This program is the one you’ve always been wanting.  Whereas all the other shows gloss over the “mundane” and “abuse” calls, the Chronicles of EMS embraces everything from the mornign rig check, finding clean restrooms when on post and cleaning toilets in the firehouse.

It has been very hard to get the laptop out and update you since Mark and I are sharing so much so fast.  it’s early mornings and late nights here.

I can tell you that a number of persons we encountered in the past few days have given permission to use their faces, names and specific conditions in the filming.  For example, Roxane wanted to share with me, Mark and the cameras how she called 911 and reported chest pain, then when we arrived just wanted a ride across town.

That’s good TV.

So here I am at Station 13, engine driver leaning over my shoulder and Ted Setla hovering.

Thank you to all the folks donating their own hard earned money to make tthis happen.  When we rallied the troops for Epi it was amazing beyond belief, this is right up there.

I know you’re all clammoring for detials on what we’re learning from each other and i want to tell you everything, but time is short.  For those of you not on twitter: Get on twitter.  It’s easy and all you have to do is follow #coems.  The guys and I are doing   constant updates there with pictures and descriptions of the experience.

For those of you who refuse to join, I’ll try to catch you up, bt if we get a call, I’m hitting publish and considering this the update.  Fair enough?

Some of the highlights:

Mark’s first call was for a regular who everyone knew.  I couldn’t recall his name first off, but like some people remember odd detials about people, I recalled this man had an odd inferior infarct.  When I printed it out i remember saying, “There it is, right where I left it.”  when we made it to the hospital, all he other crews waiting to get triaged said hi to the patient, and even a passing Doc welcomed him back.

The second call was for a fellow who asked me, “What is this going to cost me?”  Mark’s jaw almost hit the floor.  You could see him almost wanting to say something, but Mark is always a professional.  He later remarked, “That’s jsut wrong.”  We really aren’t worlds apart after all.

Seeing his fascination with our 100′ ladder trucks is like watching myself as a 7 year old kid sitting out front of Angry Captain’s fire house and watching that Crown Tiller roll ot on a job.  There is no way to look away from them when the tiller driver turns left around a corner and swings out.  I still look, but Mark loves it.  Hopefully we can get him up in the seat on Sunday next to the tillerman.

After shifts we’re both talking a mile a minute about what he would have done, or me.

“Would you always cannulate a person like that?”

“Not always, but he was pale and we didn’t confirm the blood loss so the risk of infection was justified I thought.”

“I agree.”

“Aren’t you going to use an air splint?”

“No, we’re fashioning one from various other splints, it’ll work.”

We indeed have more in common than different.  The most common phrase so far has been “same patient, diferent country.”  Too true.  Some of the specific differences so far revolve around the deployment of resources.  Mark has asked me repeatedly if i think this is the best way to do what we do and I keep telling him, “I don’t know yet.”

And I don’t think we can answer that qustion until this and other projects are completed.  We may never know what the best way to do this is, but I will tell you one thing, we’re learning from each other in real time and that can only be a good thing.

There you go, that’s all i have to report for now, other than missing my family, things are going better than anyone could have thought and all because two Paramedics vbelieved in an idea and the scores of facebook, twitter, blog and email followers who have contributed to the Chronicles of EMS who are filming what used to be the Project.

HM

PS – Mark and I still call it the Project when we speak alone, but you can find it everywhere as the Chronicles of EMS.