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Post by arete on Feb 27, 2014 20:19:25 GMT
So, my contributions this week and next may be light to non-existent.
This week: I can't remember if I mentioned it in my intro, but I am volunteer fire/rescue.
Two days ago, I worked a house fire. It was an 8 hour call. Family lost everything. The fire flared in the middle of the night, so we got to work it again.
Yesterday, I thought I'd take it easy. But... we needed to get the trucks cleaned, hose cleaned, everything prepped for the next one. Got that done, and we had a medical emergency that meant a code to the closest hospital, an hour away. Running code means lights, sirens and lots of stress.
Within 24 hours, many of us spent 12+ hours on fire/EMS
The rest of the week, I need a sermon done. Beginning next week, I am off to Grace Community Church in California to attend MacArthur's Shepherd's Conference. I will be at the church that Sunday as well.
I just wanted to check in so that any absence would be explained.
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Post by Les Brewer on Feb 27, 2014 23:57:27 GMT
No need to explain. Its always a blessing when you share and understand everyone has their other things to do as well.......
Thanks arete.......
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Post by arete on Mar 13, 2014 19:17:42 GMT
I am back at home. Got back and have run 3 EMS calls in just 2 days. Nothing like getting back in the saddle.
The Shepherd's Conference was GREAT! The seminars and sessions were instructive and convicting all at the same time. I was able to meet Phil Johnson, a favorite speaker and webmaster. I heard a message by Paul Washer and was soundly convicted concerning missions.
I was able to spend the day with one of my elders along with his friends who serve at Grace Community. We also visited a fire station that was the site for the filming of a TV show in the late 70s we grew up watching.
I dragged a suitcase full of books back home. I eagerly await a case that I mailed from the Conference. I eagerly look forward to the conference next year.
Next year, it will be the Shepherd's Conference Summit on the Inerrancy of Scripture.
Plan ahead men. It is worth the travel, the time and the modest expense. I expect it will sell out in a few weeks.
So, I'm back. I hope to begin posting my sermon series again soon.
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Post by Les Brewer on Mar 13, 2014 22:46:38 GMT
What a full couple weeks you have had and I bet you cant wait to get stuck in to those books......
It's great to have you back brother......
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Post by arete on Mar 27, 2014 19:39:32 GMT
It's been busy again.
We have had a lot of EMS runs. I am also the chaplain, and life has been dramatic for many of our members. Add to that pastoral care, and it has been a full week already. Only two more major events to go before Sunday and any other calls.
Plus for me, I will be undergoing SCBA training. I have been selected to be on one of two entry teams for fires. It will mean an air pack (SCBA) and additional training times.
Within the next few weeks, I will begin further EMT training. The last three weeks of April may mean a lot of absence from the forum.
Just a heads up...
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Post by Les Brewer on Mar 27, 2014 20:20:14 GMT
Thanks for your update Arete. You are very much in my prayers brother.............
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Post by Deleted on Mar 31, 2014 7:39:51 GMT
It's been busy again. We have had a lot of EMS runs. I am also the chaplain, and life has been dramatic for many of our members. Add to that pastoral care, and it has been a full week already. Only two more major events to go before Sunday and any other calls. Plus for me, I will be undergoing SCBA training. I have been selected to be on one of two entry teams for fires. It will mean an air pack (SCBA) and additional training times. Within the next few weeks, I will begin further EMT training. The last three weeks of April may mean a lot of absence from the forum. Just a heads up... WOW, keep up the amazing work! I was a temporary fireman back in 2003 when the UK fire services went on strike. It was an eye opening and amazing experience. In the end we didn't really have a lot to do. I think folk were more cautious than ever because they didn't want amateurs with a couple of weeks training turning up to their houses when they were on fire. We ended up putting out a bin fire, chip pan fire and a chimney fire. Great times.
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Post by arete on Mar 31, 2014 18:47:05 GMT
Yeah, the week ended rough. We had 3 EMS responses after I posted last, including 2 simultaneous calls.
One was a death call. We had crew on scene performing CPR until the death could be called. We sat with the patient until a mortuary could come collect him. We carried him his last bit into their rig.
I had to work some CISM (critical incident stress management) for our responders.
It also marked the second date night in two nights I had bailed on my wife to respond. So, tonight, I am off, no radio, and we are going out.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 1, 2014 14:30:43 GMT
Yeah, the week ended rough. We had 3 EMS responses after I posted last, including 2 simultaneous calls. One was a death call. We had crew on scene performing CPR until the death could be called. We sat with the patient until a mortuary could come collect him. We carried him his last bit into their rig. I had to work some CISM (critical incident stress management) for our responders. It also marked the second date night in two nights I had bailed on my wife to respond. So, tonight, I am off, no radio, and we are going out. Have a great night with the wife bro, you deserve it!
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Post by arete on Apr 8, 2014 18:03:52 GMT
Almost had to run on a wild land fire on date night. By God's grace, we were able to go out.
This week begins my next EMS cert training. For the next three weeks, I am in class 40 hours and sermon writing, and running calls, and being a family man, and...
I'll drop by as I can.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 9, 2014 10:22:02 GMT
Almost had to run on a wild land fire on date night. By God's grace, we were able to go out. This week begins my next EMS cert training. For the next three weeks, I am in class 40 hours and sermon writing, and running calls, and being a family man, and... I'll drop by as I can. We understand arete, life can be busy and you need to prioritise what you do. Glad your evening with the wife went well. Look forward to any updates on how your training is going.
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Post by Les Brewer on Apr 9, 2014 10:25:34 GMT
God bless you arete for your support particularly with your huge day to day life that you have on top. You are very much in my prayers ..........
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Post by arete on Apr 23, 2014 22:15:31 GMT
I am finishing the last week of training. Hopefully, next week will see me more active.
A prayer request:
Last Saturday, our crew ran a code. We had a patient in respiratory arrest. By the time we arrived, full cardiac arrest had occurred.
Our crew performed CPR and used every intervention we could. Our patient was declared dead a short time later.
I spent a lot of time with the family and now our crew as a chaplain. We had a critical incident stress debrief. The real work occurs after late night runs where we talk again and again about our feelings over that day.
I sobbed for awhile about 8 hours post run. I had severe nightmares for a few days. I am sleeping okay now. This is a normal progression for me. I am healing as is the crew. But its a slow process.
My prayer request is for comfort for both the family and the crew. I have spent untold hours with everyone I can. I have also had to maintain studies and run on several other calls.
Service like this can be tough.
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Post by Les Brewer on Apr 23, 2014 23:14:42 GMT
Thanks arete for your update and also in full agreement of your prayer request; I am praying now brother for the family, the crew and for you too.
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Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2014 11:38:34 GMT
Saddened that you had to experience what you experienced arete. That line of work as you know is sadly one where you see that sort of thing on a regular basis. I'm glad your back to a normal sleeping pattern and no longer plagued by bad dreams. I will pray for you, your crew and the family members of the lost loved one. Take care, God bless.
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