Being a FTO in EMS is not all what you think it is sometimes. Most the time it is very easy and its just teaching the new hires or students (third rider is a person who is an extra (training or observing) on the ambulance) what we do or the tips and tricks to the job. As a FTO we are always teaching and are an available resource to anyone who needs us (even on our off days or off the clock). The job of an FTO is not to teach you what you learned in school but to teach you tips and tricks that you didn’t learn.
As with anything being a FTO I have my horror stories. Here are some stories of mine from being an FTO. Just note not all these stories are from the same company or the company I work for now. I have been a FTO for over 5 years and at 2 different companies. Here are some FTO stories we all love:
Not listing to anyone or anything
I had this new hire who was on their 30 something third ride (most people do 10 to 15). We were driving lights and sires on the expressway with a patient in the back. Luckly in this incident no one was hurt or injured. Our camera systems in the ambulance will start alarming if we go faster than 85 mph. While on the expressway in a construction zone the camera kept alarming for over speed, I was telling the third rider to slow down, my partner in the back of the ambulance was yelling at the third rider to slow down. Also, while they were driving, they would get close to the construction concrete divider wall. One of the last times before I could tell the third rider to slow down and move over, we hit the concrete divider wall doing (my guess 95 mph +). After bouncing back and forth into traffic to hitting the wall 3 times until the third rider gained control of the ambulance. Luckily very minor damage (scuff marks and scratches). I made sure everyone was okay and double checked on the third rider that they were good to keep driving our priority patient to the hospital. The third rider defiantly learned to listen to me after that.
Surprisingly I was able to keep my cool. I never screamed or yelled at the third rider. I made sure that they were okay and if they felt up to it, they could take us to the hospital. The reason I did not yell, and scream is because this person already felt like shit. They know they did bad and were already nervous after crashing. Yelling at someone doesn’t accomplish anything. Gets my blood pressure up and I probably turn red. It makes the third rider feel even more like shit and gets them more nervous.
They know better
There have been many times and many different third riders that have hit objects. Usually at gas stations they rub against the poles that protect the pumps. I usually tell them I think you are getting close to that pump. They always say they have plenty of room. I can tell pretty good how close they are getting to something without seeing it. It never fails when you hear that grinding sound as the truck runs along the pole. Those are the people I just give the stare at them and say nothing.
And I am the lazy one
When I first became a FTO I used to really try and get my third riders involved and teach them everything I knew. One time I had a third rider tell me that I just pawn off my work onto other people. I was mad inside because this is totally opposite of who I am. So, I started doing everything then they told me I just want to be a know it all. This is where I say something smartass like well if I don’t do my job there isn’t anyone here that knows what to do. They then said they knew what to do. Long story short I let them fail and then told them maybe you should listen to FTO’s who know the job better than you.
FTO VS FTO
Not only does EMS have a shortage in personnel but there is also a shortage of FTO’s in the field. For a while the company opened the hiring for FTO’s if anyone wanted to be an FTO they could be. When I became a FTO I had to apply to be an FTO. I had to have an upper management letter of recognition and 3 interviews. I had a run in with a new FTO that got the status because they wanted. The complaint I heard from their third rider was upsetting to me. So, I confronted this FTO and let’s say it didn’t go so smooth. I was told that they knew more than me and I would wish I was just like them. This got me mad, (if you are going to make comments like this, I will make you look stupid and make you fail in front of people) I tell him I don’t know who you are so you must not have been here for long. This got him going (for whatever reason) so he tried to tell me that he has been working at the company for 6 months (I have been working at the company for 4 years). He than said I will always know more than you. His computer went to black screen. He threw it at my chest and said here try to fix this. I looked at it and said give me a second. I updated the computer and threw the computer back at him. He begged me to show him how I fixed it. I looked at him and said But I only been here for 4 years, and I do not know much; I mean I want to be like you. He didn’t have anything to say. Nicely I showed him how to update the computer and said I don’t think you should be a FTO if you cannot update a computer. Later that day I had his FTO status pulled.
Job not for you
I had this newer EMT who was high on their horse bragging how awesome the day was going to be. We get a psychiatric call so explain what can happen on these calls and to always have an escape route, plus always watch your back. We get to the hospital to pick up the patient and the patient refuses to be cooperative with us. We call security and get their help with the patient. The patient started going crazy, after getting the patient onto our stretcher I look for our third rider. I find them curled up in a ball crying and telling us that we are evil. I tried to explain that the patient needs to be transferred to a mental hospital to get better but was told I was just an evil man. I told the third rider I do not think this job is right for you. They ended up quitting.
I guess that’s enough FTO stories for today. If there is any questions or stories you want to know about post below!
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