Some things take awhile to figure out... (a DEFINITE ems post)

EMS folks are an odd bunch.

We love to talk about each other. We love to gossip. We can he hypercritical of each other, second guessing each others decisions. We LOVE to pick apart the newbies. We'll mock you if you are too eager or not eager enough. There have been times over the last couple of years where I've actually wondered if any one person in EMS liked any one other person in EMS or if we were all just a bunch of backstabbing cheating functional alcoholic haters.

Yes, I'm generalizing here. Indulge me.

What I learned this week first hand has convinced me otherwise. I've heard about the "EMS family"... I've read about it in posts on EMS websites and blogs... But I've only caught glimpses of it. I've never felt like I've been a part of it. I'm not talking about watching your partners back...

I'm talking about going to all out war for your EMS brothers or sisters. Circle the troops, call in the calvary, we're-allowed-to-fuck-with-each-other-but-don't-you-DARE-fuck-with-one-of-us camaraderie. I'm talking about coming unglued when a brother or sister is threatened.

Our spouses and families don't understand it. Our non-EMS friends don't get it. I'm not sure many outside the Public Service realm can begin to grasp it. I can't explain it. I just know it exists.

To my EMS family. I couldn't love you any more if I tried. I know most of you wont even see this, but I want it out there, stated in print for you to others to see. You are the best group of people I could ever dream of working with. I am honored to know you. I am humbled to be called a sister.

To Sam and Kyle... I don't work with you, but it doesn't make a bit of difference to me. I'd walk through fire for either of you. I adore you both. You've been a Godsend to me. And to think I found you both through blogging. See, the internet is not pure evil :)