Hi! My name is John Mitchell and I’m a firefighter/paramedic and a lieutenant in suburban Chicago. As is the case with many of you veterans, my interest in firefighting began with Johnny and Roy. Or Chet. Or that other guy, the one that did all the work. Not Captain Stanley.
As a volunteer in the 70′s I rode the tailboard, nose firmly against the musty hosebed during those long winter runs in a blizzard. In the summer, who remembers the chaffed upper legs from where the 3/4 boots rubbed mercilessly when we wore only shorts underneath?
The 80′s brought paramedicine into my life. Back then, we pushed 2 amps of bicarb early on in the arrest, and pushed Isuprel, both probably killing our patients. CPR was different back then although the human body hasn’t changed that much (the four most important words in CPR back then were: ‘you take the mouth’).
I finally bit the bullet in the 90′s and went full time. Since then, I’ve focused on training- my own and for others- by heading up our training division. My second job was as adjunct faculty at our local college instructing Firefighter II, EMT-B and paramedic courses. I am also a certified fire investigator and safety officer. I hold an AAS in EMS and fire science and I’m currently continuing my education as a member of the 30-year program.
I’ve been sidelined recently, the victim of a line of duty injury keeping me away from my right seat and my brothers- my second family. I’m finding out how many injured or retired firefighters have taken to the “internets” to blog. I share that need to remain close to the issues that remain important to me, even away from the engine.
I’m also co-creator of Firefighter Netcast, hosting the fire service’s most exciting podcast program. You can find it on our website, or by downloading it from iTunes.
There is much more in the works with some exciting new projects slated.
I have three daughters, the oldest out of college and the youngest out of diapers. I’m surrounded by estrogen. Our family loves to travel, we RV camp, and hold black belts in karate. If it’s not camping season, it’s hockey season here in our home. Go Hawks! And since the injury, I’ve been kept off the motorcycle that we used to hop on and just go. Dammit again!
I’m honored to be a part of the blog team here at FireEMSblogs.com. I’m in such great company and hope to contribute in a way that can keep up with them all. If you haven’t yet peeked in on the talent here, you are in for a treat. Make it a point to stop by as you surf the web, I promise you’ll be better for it.
So now you know about me, howabout you? Don’t be shy. Drop me a line at blog@firedaily.com, I’d love to hear from you.
Stay stoked!
-J
