Customer Reviews

EMS: The Job of Your Life

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I picked this book up after Devin took a job in our area. The intro was very well written and I thought "hey this should be great."
But then the book turns into a string of what we would refer to as "bumper stories" - 2 minute tales told while sitting on the front bumper of the rescue truck waiting for the horn to blow. Many of the stories have the feel of "urban legend" having been passed around NJ for decades and morphing over time.

And we all know that "real guys" don't talk about emotion - they just complain about how bad things are, so there is nothing in here that I felt captured the motivation that keeps people in this business. Too many "that was a horrible shift" stories, but no great saves.

Yes, I can recall events like this. But if they were all that made up my day, I would have left years ago.

(I did get one smile from a simple line on page 26 - Don't cut a down jacket.
Because I've been there.)

Devin relates the trails and tribuations of our nations emergency medical
services in clear and concise manner. This is a good read for rescue
professionals as well as for the folks these professionals serve each day. A
note to all you young folks out there that are considering a career in the
field of emergency medical service, read the book, it will open eyes as to
what your getting yourself into. If one is active within the service, Devin's
book will recall ones memories of their own crazy situations. The type of
incidents you thought could never happen to anyone else. If your just
interested in getting a taste of the life, Devin's book will provide an
accurate account of the life style.
How do I know this you ask?
I've been a fire fighter/paramedic for the past eight years of my life. I
hope this helps and folks, stay safe, stay healthy and stay happy. We rescue
workers would rather meet you in a social setting not as our patient.
Enjoy!!

...

I hope he really is working on a movie for this! Nothing I've read so far captures the spirit of EMS like Devin's books. The 9-11 remembrance brought me to tears, and then he turns it all around with outrageously funny and true stories. I'd love to ride with the guy for one day to see all the bizarre stuff he seems to attract. I couldn't put the book down from the moment I unpacked it. I hate to sound like everyone else, but this is a MUST read for anyone in the business, new to the business, thinking about the business, or anyone wanting a good laugh. The radio moments and sex injuries made me laugh so hard my sides hurt. Keep up the excellent work!

I know it sounds trite, but I was blown away by this book. When I got it, I was thinking that it would be like the other EMS books I've read, like "Bringing Out the Dead" or "Into the Breach." I was pleasantly surprised that it wasn't. Instead of hero centered war stories, Devin mixes raw honesty and self-effacing humor to create a blend of stories that really captures the essence of the EMS worker. The chapter on radio transmissions left me wondering how I sound when I use my radio. The chapter on his random thoughts on life and his glossary had me cracking up and repeating them at work. I highly recommend this book to anyone even remotely interested in EMS! Simply Amazing!

An EMT student of mine showed me a copy of this book so I had to order one. I haven't laughed so hard in awhile. Devin's honesty and eye for detail kept me hooked. It's refreshing to see someone who loves his job so much. I'm unofficially making this a mandatory read for all my new EMT students.

I cried in the intro and laughed the rest of the book. I often caught myself agreeing or at least relating to the stories, and I'm still an EMT student. Devin's book shows the real world of EMS, not the stuff you see on tv that is edited and seems to be just the bad stuff. Sometimes EMS is just holding a hand or taking Suzy Psych Patient back to the hospital.

This is the best EMS book I've ever read. It's written in a way that I could take it to class and read some on a break, put it down til the next break, and read more, all without getting left hanging in a story.

Highly recommended book. If you are in EMS or have a friend or family member who is in EMS, read this book. It will give you a little more understanding of the things we see daily.

Thank you Devin for writing such a great book!!! I loved it from the minute I started reading it... I couldn't put it down.
I recommend it to everyone, even those not in the EMS field.
Michelle

This book is laugh out loud funny and is a must read for anyone in ems. Can't wait to read EMS 2 The Job of Your Life. Hope to see a third. Great job Devin.

My partner bought this book, brought it to work, I read half of it, and went and bought one of my own. The book provides an amusing view of EMS peculiar life in form of short stories, anecdotes, and memorable radio conversations. Although I have found some unfamiliar things (I guess somewhere in Texas EMS work is different), the author successfully makes EMS humor accessible to everyone. The book is a unique collection in its genre, and everyone will enjoy reading it, especially those in day-to-day emergency/police work.

This is the best EMS book that I've read! The author was able to capture the humor, heartache, frustration and satisfaction of being an EMT and Paramedic. It was very well written and very easy to read. This book can be easily read by people in EMS or by families and friends interested in learning about the life and times of EMTs and Paramedics. Don't leave the book laying around the station...someone will inevitably pick it up and not want to put it down. It's that FUNNY!!!