At Medic999, Mark Glencorse blogs about life as a paramedic on the other side of the pond. And it turns out that being in the emergency medical service in the United Kingdom proves to be a unique experience. Through his blog, Glencorse shares this knowledge with his American colleagues as well as with others throughout the world.

In addition to his writing, Glencorse has also played a major role in the online EMS community by running The Handover Blog Carnival as well as participating in the Chronicles of EMS, a reality series about life as an EMS. Oh, and he also wrote us back via e-mail after we sent him a bunch of random questions, which was also rather cool of him. Without further ado…

You’ve spent a decade in EMS (prior to that you were a nurse). What made you decide to make the switch into EMS?

I always wanted to be a paramedic, but various decisions took me into nursing first. What I have found interesting after getting to know so many US Paramedics is that many of them aspire to move into nursing, where as I wanted the opposite.

In 1999, I saw an advert for direct entry advanced technician training (similar to EMT-I) and jumped at the chance to start the career I had always wanted to do. I had grown a little bored of doing the same thing day in and day out (I was an OR/Anesthetics nurse.) and wanted the variety that pre-hospital care would bring me.

What’s one thing you’ve learned during the past 10 years?

I guess the main lesson I have learned and one that I am keen to pass on to everyone who cares to listen is that you never, ever will know everything about pre-hospital care. If you think you do, you are setting yourself up for a big fall.

Oh, and the one phrase that I am known for, “If you are going to do a 4 lead (ECG), then just do a 12.”

You were recently named the Fire/EMS Blogger of the Year, in which you officially won bragging rights (lucky you!). Is there anything you want to say about the contest and the EMS/Fire blogger community?

Firstly, kudos needs to go out to Fire Critic for organizing and running the contest. Previously, Rogue Medic and I had e-mailed a few times about setting up some sort of awards for EMS blogging, but we never actually got around to doing anything about it. Fire Critic came along and all of a sudden I found myself in the running.

I am honestly not trying to be modest here, but I know that I am not the best blogger in that group of finalists. But I guess I must have some of the most dedicated followers who just kept on voting whenever they could.

The contest did, however, fulfil its main goal, and that was to highlight many of the blogs out there and to get readers to look beyond the usual blogs they read and hopefully find some new ones with some new viewpoints and information to share. The contest was a roaring success, and I know that the Fire Critic has much bigger plans for next year’s competition. So please, watch this space!

Were you surprised when you started blogging in December 2008 to find such a vibrant online community for the public safety industry?

Very much so. Before I started blogging, I used to only read a couple of blogs every now and then. But once I started my own and started to reach out to the rest of the EMS blogosphere, I was suddenly aware of so many more like-minded professionals who were all trying to stimulate conversation and effect change in their own unique ways. What is more surprising though is the sheer number of new blogs that have sprouted up over the last year. And in this case, it really is “The more the better.”

You’ve been able to visit the States and get a small taste of our EMS system. Besides our contradictory spellings of words like “favourite,” what are some of the major differences in the US system compared to where you work in the UK?

The one thing that Justin and I always used to say when we were working together is that it is “The same patient, just a different country.” It quickly became apparent that Justin and I think so very much alike. We look at our patients in the same way, we come to the same diagnosis and want to do the best for our patients, but what makes us different are the systems that we work for, and the limitations that they place on the care that we may want to give.

There are obviously differences due to funding of services and the way that the public pay for their health care and that is one thing that was very clear whilst I was working in San Francisco. I’m glad that I don’t have to have those sorts of conversations with my patients, the ones which cover the question of “How am I going to pay for this?”

What are your hopes for the Chronicles of EMS?

I hope that the Chronicles of EMS will provide a platform for EMS to use to springboard our profession into what we all know it should be. Highly trained paramedics, recognized as health care professionals, able to make clinical decisions based on patient presentation and not always default to a trip to the ER. Higher educational standards and the salary to match the professionals that decide to devote their lives to this career.

In essence, EMS 2.0—rebooting EMS, and taking it to the next level. Oh, and I want to travel the world with Justin, to experience and share best practices from prehospital services across the whole globe. That’s all, not much to ask is it?

When, if ever, do you wear tactical pants? Are they stylish in the UK? (Sorry, had to ask!)

I wear tactical pants as part of my uniform. They are not stylish (they are green!) and they are not designed for heavy duty work like we out them through. I have lost count of the amount of time that I have ripped the crotch right out from them!

The worst one being in the middle of a resus when then really was no other option but to just keep going. It certainly helped keep me cool though!

Not a tac pants fan.

Here at the Tactical Pants Blog, we work under the assumption that tactical pants are the greatest kind of pants on the planet.

Unfortunately, not everyone agrees with that fact.

“My least favorite trend is combat trousers or cargo pants, because I don’t like the baggy look, I prefer tight, skinny jeans,” Ashlyn was quoted as saying on Wayne Tippetts Photography blog. She confesses that her favorite trend is thigh-high boots “because they look very sexy!”

Well, we will have to kindly disagree with you, Ashlyn. Tactical pants are not only sexy, they are the hottest trend in the universe!

(Image via Wayne Tippetts Photography)

Woolrich Elite Series Discreet Pants

The question “Tactical or Practical?” was posed at Mossy Creek Custom when the blogger over there attempted to wear Woolrich Elite Series Discreet Pants to a Friday night dinner party, which his wife completely frowned upon.

Although his effort to be comfortable at dinner was ultimately met with failure, the blogger at Mossy Creek Custom, a full service Law Enforcement and Civilian company located in Nashville, brought up an interesting point: Why isn’t there a tactical pant discreet enough to wear on these types of occasions?

“Why not offer the Discreet Pant that is actually discreet?” he asks. “5.11 doesn’t offer one, Woolrich comes close, but in the end they are simply tactical pants. I love these pants, but they could be a little more refined … I’m not looking for Polo chinos, but something in between would be perfect.”

Unfortunately we cannot answer his question, but if there is a viable market out there made up of people who prefer tactical pants over run-of-the-mill khakis for dressier occasions, the real question is: how could you not make them?

Men of Tropic Thunder

As SmartMoney doles out tips on how to cut Halloween costs, we thought it’d be helpful to show how you can use the tactical pants you already own to put together a real badass, potentially frightening costume. Take advantage of the ideas below, or merely use them as a springboard for your own creative Halloween costumes.

• John Connor – Terminator Salvation brought the character who’s been portrayed by Edward Furlong and Thomas Dekker back to the big screen this year. Resurrect him again on All Hallows’ Eve by channeling Christian Bale’s ultra-intense version.
• Any character from Tropic Thunder. Even though this blockbuster might seem so last year, people (namely your friends) still consider the likes of Tugg Speedman or Kirk Lazarus to be cool. While Robert Downey Jr.’s character might require more time in the makeup room, the payoff is bound to be huge.
• G.I. Joe – There’s no better choice than this all-American hero. Give folks a much-needed ’80s flashback, and take advantage of the recent resurgence of the Hasbro toy in Hollywood.
• SpongeBob TacticalPants – So, they might not be square, but some tactical pants have that similar khaki color, right? And with all those roomy pockets, the pants easily will carry all of SpongeBob’s accessories like pet snail Gary and numerous Krabby Patties.
• Rambo – Does Sylvester Stallone ever get old? OK, don’t answer that. Even though Stallone should probably hang up that AK-47 soon, hulking John J. Rambo is pretty much a timeless American action protagonist.
• Another fellow serviceman – Switch things up: If you’re in the Army, dress like a SWAT team member. If you’re a police officer, dress like a soldier. It’s as easy as that.

Tactical pants may get all the glory, but BDU pants are what started it all. BDU, which stands for Battle Dress Uniform, is comprised of a BDU coat and BDU pants. This was the standard issue uniform for members of the United States armed forces from 1981 to 2008. Much like tactical pants, they offer double seat and knee reinforcement, large cargo pockets and durable construction. Civilians have been wearing BDU pants since they first appeared in the military for a host of applications ranging from lawn care to corrections. Others bought them purely for the camo style as a fashion statement. BDU pants are still widely in use today as a great all-around trouser despite their official unauthorized status in the United States Army. BDU Pants are a little more aggressive and a little less casual than tactical pants and are typically less expensive.

Here’s a quick unboxing of the Lightweight Tactical Pant by Propper.  We ordered two pair from BDU.COM, and here you can see exactly what to expect when the package arrives.  We are loving the lightweight ripstop fabric, just in time for summer.

About Propper

Propper is unwavering in our commitment to outfit members of the United States Armed Forces, law enforcement professionals and first responders serving on the front lines with only the highest quality apparels. Since 1967, we have delivered over 50 million garments to the military men and women and public service personnel who protect our great nation. Our dedication to being the best has earned Propper a reputation of comfortable, rugged and relentlessly durable apparel that gets the job done…on the battlefield or on city streets.

Tactical Trousers and Propper

The Tactical Trouser by Propper will not fade, wrinkle or shrink. DuPont Teflon added to the durable 65% polyester / 35% cotton canvas makes it liquid and stain resistant. Available in Khaki, Black, Olive and Navy Blue.

• durable 65% polyester / 35% cotton canvas fabric (superior to 100% cotton)
• fade, wrinkle, and shrink resistant
• DuPont® Teflon® treatment resists liquids and stains
• sturdy snap closure w/ french fly
• heavy duty double seat and double knee
• internal knee pad insertion openings
• action stretch waistband
• 9-pocket design
• handy D-ring to carry keys and tools
• pocket-in-a-pocket wallet pockets on seat