How Winning Works

Robyn has been a Firefighter/EMT with the San Diego fire department for the past 15 years. She left a successful pharmaceutical sales career for the fire service. Robyn has always been a competitive athlete, but has found great success as an adventure racer. Since 1994 she has competed in the most difficult, longest, and remote adventure races on earth. She is also a professional speaker and delivers keynote addresses to more than 50 events per year.

Robyn discusses the book, explains the acronym for TEAMWORK, and shares her tips for successful writing. Robyn has founded a non-profit foundation, Project Athena, to provide adventures for survivors.

Links and Reviews:

• WorldClassTeams.com
• RobynBenincasa.com
• ProjectAthena.org

My review of How Winning Works on the Firegeezer.com blog.

The Downwind Walk: A USAR Paramedics Experiences after the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001

This episode of the Medical Author Chat is sponsored by EMS Manager. Try out a free trial at EMSManager.net

Steve and I have a great talk about his career in NYC EMS and his eventual work as an EMS Lieutenant in Fire Department of New York EMS until 2009. Steve spent 14 years on the USAR Task Force 1 and deployed to both attacks on the World Trade Center. Steve shared the impact of writing the book to grapple with his own traumatic stress after the events of 9/11. Steve states that he has used “journaling as a tool for stress management since the 1980′s” and that he was writing notes while at Ground Zero.

Self-Publishing

Steve chose self-publishing for the Downwind Walk so he could “tell my story, my way.” He encourages other writes to “just start” by keeping a jounral or blogging. Start with simple stories that draw on life experiences.

Show Links

• Happy Land Fire
• Paramedic Mastery Blog
• Steve on Google+
• DownwindWalk.com
• StevenKanarian@gmail.com

I asked the EMS Manager staff to share the books they are reading (note many of the links below are Amazon affiliate links).

Ericka Hawkins, Senior Sales Executive

I read “A Rumor of War” by Philip Caputo. It is a raw and moving account of his time in Vietnam. He was shipped to Da Nang and was with the first ground combat unit deployed to Vietnam. It’s one of the best books I have read that account for the indifference that war can create and smash the idealism that men may have when enlisting. It brings you inside a man who battled on the front lines and endured the psychological warfare that can darken even the just of heart. It’s not just an account of war or a journalist review of historical facts, it a heartfelt evolution of a man in war.

I am currently taking another crack at reading “Hot, Flat, & Crowded” by Thomas Friedman. He is one of my favorite authors and Op-Ed columnist for the NY Times. It’s a gripping plea to get us to change our outlook and policies on the destabilizing climate change and rising competition for energy. This book reinforces one of the reasons I am proud to work for Aladtec. Bringing services to the cloud can drastically decrease the amount of paper used in their daily operations. I like to tell my clients and prospects that I am helping them go green and saving the world one tree at a time. It gets a good laugh but it is VERY true. We help save unbelievable amounts of paper and ink through our services. Along with gas, as members can access their schedule from anywhere rather than having to make a drive in to do anything. I love it!

What are you reading? Do your reading interests reflect your personal convictions? 

I asked the EMS Manager staff to share the books they are reading (note many of the links below are Amazon affiliate links).

Jaimie Hammond, Sales Executive

I recently finished Portrait of an Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce. I chose this title because I misplaced my eReader, so I needed a physical book – and I had gotten rid of almost all my physical books except the ones by Joyce. And, since I was in the mood for an easier read, it was a clear choice.

I am starting to read through all of the Poirot mysteries by Agatha Christie. The digital versions on my Nook. I love classic novels, I like mysteries….and, since there are 33 novels, saves me from having to choose a new book for awhile

About a year ago I read through L Frank Baum’s ‘Aunt Jane Nieces’ series (he’s better known for the Wizard of Oz, but these books were on the list of books to read before you die). In one of the books, “Aunt Janes Nieces in the Red Cross“, they all get involved in providing medical care during the war. It is a teen novel, but still a pretty decent read depicting war time care. Read a digital version.

About a year and a half ago I read Summer of Fire by Linda Jacobs which is about firefighters fighting fires in Yellowstone. I read it because it was free on my Nook, but it was a page turner, even though average literary value.

Mellissa Dahl, Director of Marketing & Public Relations

I am currently reading: You Called 9-1-1 for What? by Dave Konig. I’m reading it on my iPhone and iPad via the Kindle app. It’s a fun, quick read that I can turn to while waiting in line, waiting for my kids, or as The Stones would say, while Waiting On a Friend. Each chapter is it’s own little story which is perfect for all the waiting around I seem to do.

On a serious note, it takes a look at the history of 9-1-1 and on a humorous note it shares idiotic reasons people have called 9-1-1. And the price is right…only 99 cents from Amazon.com!

The last book I read was Life With My Grandparents by Erling Dahl – My DAD! I recently re-read it as he passed away last year and it brings back fond memories of all the stories he told us about his life when he was young and living with his Norwegian speaking grandparents after his Mom died. It’s nice to have them in writing.

My favorite EMS book is Population 485 - Meeting Your Neighbors One Siren at a Time by Michael Perry. It’s a true story of how he returns to live in his home town which has a population of 485 interesting characters. He joins the volunteer fire and rescue department and this book tells the tales of the other volunteers and takes the reader on some great runs. Not only is it a great, heartwarming read, but it’s about a town near where I grew up and I know the author so I can truthfully, and reliably, say he’s “One of the Good Guys”…I highly recommend his other books too! They are all available at www.sneezingcow.com or Amazon of course…on paper or digitally.

Related posts:

•  

  Michael Perry interview

• You Called 9-1-1 for What? review

25 Things They Should Have Taught you in Medic School ... But Didnt (Amazon link)

25 Things is Dave’s best writing effort to date. In this interesting and entertaining book I hear Dave’s voice and see the scenes he is painting with his words. Perhaps my street experience helps, but I find that Dave gave just enough details to help me feel as if I am in the apartment with a COPD patient or riding in the back of the ambulance with him when a patient asks for a band-aid.

Dave’s treatment of the best and worst of EMS is fair and balanced. As other reviewers have said he isn’t attempting to scare newbies out of EMS, or shower us with his heroic brilliance. Each of the 25 things is well explained and Dave combines his observations from nearly 20 years of field experience, with keen industry insights, and relevant research and news.

The book is a quick read and packed with information. I recommend it for both EMT and paramedic students (both “medics” using Dave’s definition), new graduates, and veterans of the profession. Dave includes links to lots of relevant EMS industry websites and articles.

In future editions, I imagine Dave will continue to apply his technical savvy by including photos, adding a number to each chapter heading (I would have liked to know how far into the list of 25 things I was as I read), and links to multimedia content.

If you have a chance to meet Dave “In Real Life” (IRL) you will appreciate that he has the same down to earth mannerisms and matter of fact tone as he writes in the book. The next closest thing might be to listen to his recent interview on the Medical Author Chat podcast.

Thanks Dave for sharing your insights and lessons learned with the profession.

Have you read 25 Things They Should have Taught you in Medic School? Share your comments below and make sure you review the book on Amazon.com for Dave. Your comments and star ratings help him promote the book and prepare future editions.

Note: I was given a free copy of the ebook by the author. 

25 Things

From the Amazon.com description:

Going to school to become an Emergency Medical Technician or and Advanced Emergency Medical Technician Paramedic can often seem like a long and arduous process. Unfortunately, not everything that should be taught is taught. While reasons may vary from class to class, there are important aspects that just don’t get the amount of time they deserve.

This book looks to address some of the things that just can’t be covered in class, but really should be. The book includes 25 chapters on things every Medic, whether just thinking about signing up for class or graduated way back when, needs to know.

After you read 25 Things … make sure you return to Amazon.com to rate and review the book.

Amazon pricing is always subject to change. Confirm product price before making your purchase.

This episode of the Medical Author Chat podcast is sponsored by EMS Manager. Try out a free trial at EMSManager.net

Show Links:

Scrivener Software

Elance.com

David Konig.com

The Social Medic.net

EduMedic Blog.com

Wading into the Chaos (Amazon link)

It is a great interview with Bob, tribute to emergency medical services, and a fine example of podcast hosting for me to strive towards.

Listen to the WGN Radio interview with Bob Holdsworth. 

My idea for the Medical Author Chat version of “Free Book Friday” came after I began subscribing to the Free Kindle Tips and Books Blog. If you are looking for ten or more high rated free books every day make sure you subscribe to FKTB blog. The books featured in the FKTB blog span all literary genres.

Since the focus of the Medical Author Chat podcast is books written by healthcare providers I have tried to focus my Free Book Friday posts on books written by and or about medical professions. I find books by scanning the titles featured on the FKTB blog and reviewing the top free e-books in different health and medical categories on Amazon.com.

Request Your Book to be Featured

Michael Gallagher, of FKTB, reports that he receives several dozen author requests per day and rejects 75% of those requests. Since I have yet to receive an author request to be featured the odds are much better that your book will be featured. Please email me, greg at gregfriese dot com, the following about your book.

• Your name
• Your healthcare position, ie EMT, RN, MD, etc.
• Your email
• The Amazon.com URL for your book
• Date the book will be offered for free (Friday is most useful)
• Category or Genre
• Amazon.com book description

Today’s Feature: Medicine Men: Extreme Appalachian Doctoring

I found today’s feature, Medicine Men: Extreme Appalachian Doctoring (Amazon link), on the FKTB blog. From the Amazon.com description:

Follows bestselling “Heart in the Right Place” which was ranked #1 on Amazon in Biography, Memoir, Science, and Medicine in August and September 2012.

A collection of the most memorable moments from old-school rural physicians who each practiced medicine for more than 50 years in the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Hilarious, heroic, heartwarming true stories of miracle cures, ghost dogs, and much madcap medical mayhem.

Jourdan’s work is often compared to James Herriot and Bill Bryson. Her first book is on hundreds of lists of best books of the year, best book club books, and funniest books. “Heart in the Right Place” was chosen as Family Circle magazine’s first ever Book of the Month, won the Elle magazine Reader’s Prize, named #7 Wall Street Journal Nonfiction Bestseller.

Amazon pricing is always subject to change. Confirm product price before making your purchase.

I asked the EMS Manager staff to share the books they are reading (note many of the links below are Amazon affiliate links).

Miles Matton, Software Engineer

I am currently reading The Road to Damascus by John Ringo and Linda Evans and previous book was Emerald Sea by John Ringo (I think) both chosen mostly because they were in the Baen Free Library (which I just found out trying to find those titles has been pretty much gutted now), but he is a pretty good author or I wouldn’t have continued reading more of his (these are/were the last couple books I have of his out of 8 or so).

I’ve read a lot of books, I’m sure some of them have a medical theme at least, but none really come to mind. One of my favorites, Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert Heinlein has a nurse as one of the main characters & part of the start of the book is set there, not sure if that’s close enough.

Kyle Hammond, Software Engineer

I am currently reading The Path Between the Seas: The Creation of the Panama Canal, 1870-1914 by David McCullough. It’s so far a very interesting read and has lessons to be learned about clarity of vision for what you want to happen, relying on facts and calculations instead of guesswork and hopes, and the perseverance of people to make things happen. France was the first country to really set out to make a canal between the Pacific and Atlantic, but they never had reliable data on the geography of the area and vastly underestimated the effort it would take.

Chad Clay, Co-Owner, Sales Director

I really don’t read anything that is not on a computer screen anymore. I read a lot of stuff on the internet and listen to a good number of podcasts. My favorite podcasts right now are “Planet Money” and “Freakonomics”.

I haven’t read anything that stands out recently but I did listen to this podcast “how much is a firefighter worth“.  I enjoyed it because it relates to our business here and it relates to the business side of firefighting which interests me.

What are you reading?