Gutter Medicine: Twenty-Six Years as a Firefighter Paramedic

De: Roger Huder

Narrado por: Tom Jordan

My career as a firefighter/paramedic stretched from 1974 to 2000 when were inventing EMS as we went along. These are stories from those years on the street. That place I named so long ago, the other reality that exists just outside most people’s everyday lives. It is a place that seems to exist parallel to the normal workaday existence: yet it is only a car accident or cardiac away for any of us. It manifested itself in brushfires, house fires, shootings, stabbings, hangings, accidents with injuries, cardiacs, codes, drownings, and a thousand other emergencies.

The street was more than a physical place. It was a place filled with excitement, fear, tragedy, horror, sadness, despair, joy, and laughter. It was a place where routine decisions could have terrible consequences: I am going to the grocery store. Or, I will get the wiring fixed next month. Where people died or were maimed. Often, it was a terrible place. Or maybe it was reality. It was where all safeguards ended and our job began. There were thousands of cases, but these are the ones etched in my memory. The ones that will never go away.

©2018 Roger Huder (P)2018 Roger Huder

True Grit Reality

Well thought out book. I haven’t “reviewed” a book on here, but this one deserves it. The first hand accounts gave me anxiety just listening to it. I start FIRE/EMS school in a few days and this really gives me perspective. Thank you for this gem.

Gripping!

This was the best book I've read this year. compelling and gripping. I couldn't find enough time to get to read during my day!

rookie

I’m currently in school for FF1 and all i wanted was to understand the life of a FF but you explained so much more. hands down best book i’ve ever read

Story Told Through My Own Experiences

The collection of stories of the street are thoughtful and insightful. My 30+ years of the fire service and EMS identifies with many of the accounts of the street, different locations but the same life story. My walls curbed my thoughts shared by the author but much later in my career. I would recommend any newbie, rookie, recruit, etc. read this book. As a new firefighter/EMT nobody spoke of how this career changes you and that you’ll not be anything like you started but then we didn’t know how the career changes a person. Good stuff.

A Gritty Look Into EMS

This book gives a realistic, unfiltered look into the world of emergency medicine. I’d recommend to anyone interested in joining EMS, nursing, or medicine.

Must Read for First Responders

This is a must read for first responders. The author describes in detail situations that most first responders will likely experience during their career.

A Whole new understanding...

As a child of a Firefighter from this same time, a was vaguely aware of what was happening, but that was through the eyes of a family member, a child... I now have a whole new understanding of what was really going on. I so appreciate Roger Huder’s honesty and willingness to share his personal experiences. A true hero.

Tom Jordan did this material justice. Thank you for your performance.

I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and I have voluntarily left this review.

Excellent real life as he remembered it.

This is a book full of stories and feelings of a first responder. One of THE first responders ever. Some of the stories had a happy ending, most did not and even more we just don't know. What we do know is how the job affected him and his co workers. I cried at times, laughed at other times and celebrated with them. All in all, I FELT a wide range of emotions based on what story he was telling.
The narration, well, let me preface this review of the narration with the fact that I am a HUGE fan of Tom Jordan. Now, let me say... I do believe this book is his best work, yet. The depth of feeling I felt with his story telling is like no other I have heard. From him or anyone else. I can't help but believe that I enjoyed this book as much as I did because of Tom Jordan's narration, hands down.
I highly recommend this audiobook!

Great Read!

Brought back many memories of my time in EMS. Great to have a story to relate to.

well done.

Probably my favorite fire/medic books. I retired from the job after 28 years on the street. He tells his story of being on the job exactly how it is. it's gritting dirty and bloody. For me listening to this outstanding book was like sitting at the kitchen table in my station talking with one of the guys on my engine company. A must read for those who are in the fire and e.m.s. field.