Extreme Medical Services: Medical Care On The Fringes Of Humanity Read Free Page A

and handing them one. Dean knew that in each envelope was their final scores and the badge they had earned to pin to their uniforms. That was the badge that said paramedic on it. The envelope also contained their new uniform patches and, most importantly, their new assignments and the name of their preceptor at the new stations. It was a formality in his case since everyone knew he’d picked Station 1 by now, and the top of the class always got their pick of assignment.
        Mike was taking his time getting to Dean, though. He’d passed by and said hi when he first started handing out the envelopes but since then, the older paramedic instructor had not come over in Dean’s direction. People and their families were starting to leave as the assignments were handed out, shaking hands or hugging each other before they left, wishing each other luck on their first days on the job next week.  
        At this point, Dean had pretty much figured he was going to the be the last one who found out where he got assigned, and he was ok with that. Everyone else had people here to congratulate them and most were going out with family to congratulatory dinners and such. While he considered himself friendly with his classmates, he’d never gotten close with any of them and he didn’t have anyone here to celebrate with anyway. The reception had pretty much wound down by the time Mike came over to Dean with the final manilla envelope. The deputy chief had left long ago, along with all of the other invited dignitaries. The catering crew was starting to clean up the tables and mess.
        “Took you long enough.” Dean said with a smile as Mike made his way over to him with his assignment. “I would have thought that I would get to go first.”
        Mike stepped over and shook his hand. “‘The last shall be first, and the first shall be last,’ my friend,” he said smiling. “I wanted to have a few words with you in relative privacy before you got your assignment. You’ve been the brightest of my students in a long time, Dean. You’ve studied the hardest. You have a good handle on skills, and you're one of the best intuitive problem solvers I’ve ever seen. I want you to know that it’s been a pleasure teaching and watching you grow into a fine paramedic these past few years.”
        He handed Dean the envelope. Dean could feel the extra bulk as he took it. The badge and patch were pushing the envelope out in places. Mike continued, “I just wanted you to know as you head off to this first assignment, you got picked for it because you're one of the best to come through the academy in a while.” Mike put his hand on Dean’s shoulder. “This is not what you expected, Dean, but it suits your unique skills and talents. Remember to keep an open mind and stay safe out there. You’ve got the skills to do this job the way it needs to be done.” And then he shook Dean’s hand again and walked away, grabbing his uniform coat and heading out the door to the parking lot.
        Well, that was weird, Dean thought as he flipped the metal tabs on the manilla envelope and lifted up the flap to look inside. He reached in and slid out a stack of papers along with his patch and badge balanced on top. He sat down at one of the tables as the caterers continued to clean up around him, looking briefly at the silver badge that said paramedic on it. The patch looked a little different than expected which was weird. He thought all the Elk City paramedic patches were the same. It said EMS-U at the top, had a star of life in the middle and Paramedic at the bottom. There was a certificate of completion. His diploma for an associates degree in applied science as a paramedic was in there along with another white sealed envelope with the Elk City letterhead on it. He quickly opened this one, tearing open the sealed flap with his finger, careful to avoid a paper cut, and pulled out the paper inside. He unfolded it and read the letter.