Gutter Medicine: Twenty-Six Years as a Firefighter Paramedic

By: Roger Huder

Narrated by: 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

Would read again.

Very good book! Really goes into detail and has a great story line. Reminds me of some of my calls.

Fantastic - Realistic and Engaging

As a firefighter/EMT myself, I can say without a doubt that this is a realistic, thought-provoking, and engaging story that gives an honest representation of what it is like to work in this field. This book puts you in the mind of the author and describes some of the traumatizing events that are the norm for those that work in public safety.
Not only is this book worth the listen, but I would also recommend it to all of my friends who are interested.

The author is also quite good. Sounds just like I thought the author should (which is the point).

I requested and received a free copy of this audiobook from the author, publisher, or narrator in exchange for an unbiased review. I was NOT required to write a positive review and this reflects my honest opinion of the work.

great book and truth!

great book of what its really like. I feel this is a good book for any person with aspirations of wanting to be a medic. It gives insight of what one might go through. The job is not always unicorns and rainbows and it's not for everybody.

FF-P

Awesome book. I’ve been on the job for 8 years. I can relate to a lot of what the author states. I also now have a heads up what’s coming down the pipeline in my career. Thank you for your service sir.

Thank you

I am a young paramedic in Ohio, this book has helped process so many of those ghosts that follow you. I will 100% recommend every student I have read this book.

what a ride!

I loved this story! Excellent writing! Brought many memories back. I got my EMT in 1983. I worked only 4 months nights in an ER and realized that nursing was a better fit for me. I never tire of the stories. I find it interesting that I lived during the 60's and remember the world without paramedics. I remember when they began and how they grew.

As a FF/EMT I totally understood his stories as all of our stories are “the same” loved it

Explained the feelings and the actual thoughts we think but don’t say out loud in the EMS world.