Weston Smith - Tractors and Transitions: Lateral Probation, Medic Life, and the Five-Acre Dream скачать в хорошем качестве

Weston Smith - Tractors and Transitions: Lateral Probation, Medic Life, and the Five-Acre Dream

Push-to-Talk Laughs, Probation Life, and Homestead Projects | Caffeine Lifts & Public Assist In this episode of the Caffeine Lifts and Public Assist podcast, the hosts joke about new engine radios requiring push-to-talk (even to laugh), try and review an energy drink, and talk about setting up shelves for guest gifts and merch (hats, beanies, and shirts) in the studio. Wes joins the show and talks about being an hour late, moving out of town to Sheridan near Lincoln, buying a house with a 20% down payment, getting a tractor for a five-acre property, and plans to plant an orchard. The hosts compare homeownership projects, mowing large properties, and discuss building a shop and adding solar/Powerwalls to offset high PG&E bills. Wes explains his background: starting with a Cal Fire season (hand crew briefly, then River Pines during the Caldor Fire year), then getting hired by the hosts’ department and coming up on the same shift as Adam. He shares experiences working on a squad crew with Cody, learning technical rescue, and jokes about a non-work fire slip on dry chem that injured his knee and kept him out for months. Wes discusses lateraling to a new department, being on an 18-month probation (with a six-month test and station/district rotation), and mentions brand-new Pierce engines and the requirement for firefighters to have Driver/Operator 1A. The conversation shifts to fitness: Wes prefers lifting over cardio, describes switching from a bro split to a full-body routine, and talks about rowing competitions and timed challenges. They compare station gym setups, saunas (infrared vs wood-burning), cold plunges, and how home gyms can be costly and distracting. Wes also talks about being a newer paramedic (about a year), adjusting from a BLS department to working around ALS equipment, gaining confidence through high-acuity calls and cardiac arrests, and the difference between running a code versus treating patients who are about to code. The episode wraps with plans for the union crab feed fundraiser benefiting Random Acts of Kindness (Local 2434), plus talk about firefighter events, drinking culture at fundraisers, and future guest ideas. 00:00 Push-to-Talk Problems: Laughing on the New Engine 00:46 Energy Drink Taste Test & Sponsor Dreams 01:40 Podcast Set Upgrades, Merch & Guest Gifts 02:33 Welcoming West End + The ‘Late Guest’ Story 03:34 Moving Out of Town: Buying a House, Land & Tractor Life 07:25 How They Met: Same Department, Same Shift, Squad Days 09:51 Cal Fire Season to City Department: Academy, Mentors & Probation 15:31 New Department Update: Lateral Academy & 18-Month Probation 17:25 Fitness Talk: Lifting Plans, Rower Pain & Cardio Competitions 21:49 Station Gym, Saunas/Cold Plunge Debate & Home Gym Reality 30:00 Building a Shop + Solar Plans, PG&E Bills & Construction Costs 34:26 Sizing the App + Truck Talk (Who’s Allowed to Drive What?) 35:02 Brand-New Engines & Fleet Upgrades (Squad Included) 36:26 Probation, Acting Engineer, and Career Timing 37:56 EMS Shows, Then Real Medic Life: Learning Curve & Confidence 41:41 Running Codes as a Medic: Protocols, ROSC Wins, and Decision-Making 44:38 Lucas Device Debate: Manual vs Mechanical Compressions 46:40 No Fires Yet + The Commute Reality Check 48:05 Commuter Cars, Teslas, and ‘Firefighter Math’ on Big Purchases 51:02 Life Updates: Sarah’s Hospital, Wedding Date, and Being House-Poor 52:54 Crab Feed Breakdown: Union, RAK Program, and Serving the Table 55:39 Firefighter Fundraisers & Events: Golf, Softball, Demolition Derby, Fishing 01:02:32 Closing Out: Podcast Plans, Editing for HIPAA, and Final Sign-Off