groundhog47 347 #1 Posted April 1, 2013 (edited) Well yesterday was my last day as a Paramedic with the FD I volunteer. Plan to surrender all my firefighting gear and hang it all up for good and let all the kids play. I rolled in bed for weeks now about dropping what had worked so hard to get but the hassle is more than ever. I'll still always have that urge to jump into a wreck and do what I could! Oh forgot to mention started out at $0, got raised to $00 and will get $00 retirement! Edited April 1, 2013 by groundhog47 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Don1977 605 #2 Posted April 1, 2013 I'll say thank you for your service with the Fire Dept. and for your Military Service. I know as a Vietnam Veteran I had one old couple and my church thank me for my service and that they were glad to see I got back. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WH854 45 #4 Posted April 1, 2013 For your service Chas Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Fun Engineer 859 #5 Posted April 1, 2013 Good for you Gerry. And thank you and all you other veterans for serving. I just retired at the end of February and started a new part time job at our local big box Lowes. Retail is sure different than public service. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AMC RULES 37,195 #6 Posted April 1, 2013 Thank you so much for your service. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JimD 3,347 #7 Posted April 1, 2013 Thank You Gerry from a former Volunteer Firefighter/Emt. Your work is much appreciated by those you have served. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KC9KAS 4,744 #8 Posted April 1, 2013 I totally understand. I retired last year after 31 years as a FF & 1st Responder. I did have plenty of hours to renew my 1st responder credentials that were due today. I also have enought hours of teaching to renew my Instructors II/III credentials in a couple of months. I have spent a lot of my own time and money for these, so I plan on keeping them current if possible. We did get a $5 per run "clothing allowance", but you don't do it for the money! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
fireman 1,022 #9 Posted April 2, 2013 I'm not to far behind ya. I hung up the volunteer portion of my career 5 years ago. I have 6 years and 9 months till I can retire. Plan on leaving the job but continue on doing fire investigation in the private sector. I've got a total of 26 years so far between career and volunteer and will have over 31 by the time I hang it up. I know that I have PTSD from all the "bad" calls over the years and I've finally realized it's taking a toll on me mentally. Can't wait for greener pastures! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #10 Posted April 2, 2013 I'll say thank you for your service with the Fire Dept. and for your Military Service. I know as a Vietnam Veteran I had one old couple and my church thank me for my service and that they were glad to see I got back. I am era of Viet Nam but was State side whole tour, THANK YOU SO MUCH, for your service and try to forgive all those who spit at/on our returnees. Our vets did what our country asked and some turned their heads to that VALOR in SERVICE, Iraq vets got parades and they deserve that, but so did/do the Vietnam Vets Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #11 Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) I only had 16 1/2 yrs (corrected) with FD, got in after retired with South Central Bell, and never looked back. Credentials got too much , ACLS, PALS, BLS, Refresher and CEs, Seemed like never ending job just to help dying/hurt/ill people, ain't that trainin' enough I always thought! I totally understand. I retired last year after 31 years as a FF & 1st Responder. I did have plenty of hours to renew my 1st responder credentials that were due today. I also have enought hours of teaching to renew my Instructors II/III credentials in a couple of months. I have spent a lot of my own time and money for these, so I plan on keeping them current if possible. We did get a $5 per run "clothing allowance", but you don't do it for the money! Edited April 2, 2013 by groundhog47 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #12 Posted April 2, 2013 (edited) You and KC9...did the real job 24hrs/or 12hrs every day, that is indeed stress on a pole vault run up hill in a lot of places. The city dept runs all night and day. Hang in there and get that gold watch! I'm not to far behind ya. I hung up the volunteer portion of my career 5 years ago. I have 6 years and 9 months till I can retire. Plan on leaving the job but continue on doing fire investigation in the private sector. I've got a total of 26 years so far between career and volunteer and will have over 31 by the time I hang it up. I know that I have PTSD from all the "bad" calls over the years and I've finally realized it's taking a toll on me mentally. Can't wait for greener pastures! Edited April 2, 2013 by groundhog47 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
groundhog47 347 #13 Posted April 2, 2013 Thank You Gerry from a former Volunteer Firefighter/Emt. Your work is much appreciated by those you have served. Thank you too Jim, you know the cert drill every other Mar 31, then. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
6wheeler 669 #14 Posted April 2, 2013 I'd just like to say. Thank ALL of you heroes out there. Whether it be Military past and present or FD/PD past and present. All of you folks are the valiant protectors of our country both at home and abroad. Just knowing there are people there if something happens makes me sleep better at night. May God bless you all. Gerry, take the retirement and enjoy yourself. Go fishing and just be. You deserve it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
