Moving away from just a trainee

I am officially certified in EVOC! That means that I have the certification to drive emergency vehicles weighing 0-26,000 lbs. My test included a written and driving portion. For the driving portion, there were 5 different cone set ups. I had to reverse in a J position, drive through a narrowing pathway, parallel park, serpentine (weaving through cones forwards and backwards), and driving through horizontal pathways. I hit NO cones!! Our ambulances range in sizes and luckily I got to drive one of the smaller models. Now I have to go through some other steps through our Squad in order to get released as a driver. I have to have 10 cold hours (meaning driving just around), and 10 hot hours (meaning driving to 10 actual calls).

The Squad recommends and pushes members to get released for driving and AICing (attending in charge) sooner rather than later. I just chosen a preceptor to start getting released as an AIC. The role of an AIC is basically taking charge of the call and giving all patient care. It takes a lot of responsibility and precautions to make sure that the best patient care was given.

So I am now working towards both, driver and AIC.