It depends.
A lot of FDs run the ambulance, a lot don't.
In my area ambulance is seperate from fire, but fire crew responds to lift assists and certain other calls where we may need a driver or another set of hands for CPR. Some departments respond with a pickup/brush rig, and other respond with the full engine, just depends on manning.
St Louis City is one FD I am aware of that runs their own ambulance.
They have their place, but it's not my preference for EDC
Tailcap switch could be nice, but I haven't missed having one.
My SureFire has a tailcap switch and it would keep getting turned on in my pocket.
It's a personally owned light, not medical equipment. And, I also can use it on moonlight mode to check pupils, works better than the lights we are given.
And, why carry a big light if a small light can do the trick? I have a bigger light (noctigon K1) with a 1 mile throw, I can't lug that around in my pocket.
I mechanically lock out the light in my pocket so it doesnt accidentally get turned on. It's my choice to carry a light with those capabilities, it's also not that dangerous...
I have two D cell maglites, I give them to the kids when they need a flashlight so they dont start a fire with my light, or lose an expensive one.
Used to EDC one of those. Switched to an Emisar D4DV2, it's way better.
False
It's really nice when working ambulance and trying to work a patient at night. I'm able to illuminate the scene well enough that everyone can see.
Have also lit up yards while looking for patients/hazards.
I know reddit=evil but, r/hanklights is a good starting place for anduril lights. I've been EDCing the D4V2 for seferal years now and love it.
Armorsuit protectors have worked well for me on s21 and s22 phones. Might be worth trying.
Got two bulging discs 5 years ago (L4/L5). Have impingement on my femoral and syatic nerves.
I ride a desk for work and do hobby farming to stay active outside of work, and work part time as a first responder (EMS)
I have a cane for bad days, and meloxicam for really bad days/weeks.
Doing CPR sucks, running sucks, basically most excersises suck. I can't pick up my kids as much as I'd like, and I am having a hard time convincing my wife to let me try bull riding... doing to much gives me nerve shocks down both legs from by butt down to my heels.
But, I push through and try to stay active.
I've done physical therapy twice, both times made it worse. Tried a chiropractor, each visit would give me about 45-60 minutes of relief after the procedure.
Long car rides are about the worst. I'll be bent over almost double getting out. During isn't bad, it's the straitening out afterwards.
Former FF, and current EMT here.
Just to add a few things, Fire Departments are also increasingly running paramedics or EMTs to be able to do more care before the ambulance shows up. It's not uncommon for the FD to beat my ambulance to a scene.
They are also great lifters and pusher pushers. One of my favorite lines is "lift with your firefighters, not your back." I can't tell you how many times their muscle has been helpful on a scene. But, they still have to respond to fires, and their understaffed, so they cant bring their SUV to my medical.
And as for pushers. Running a code, my medic will be pushing drugs, I'll be breathing for the patient, I'll have a fire fighter pushing on the patients chest, and another ff driving the rig. Three people is super obnoxious in the back of a vanbulance... it still gets tight in the back of my box that is on an f450 chasis, but way better than it could be.
I also use neo launcher
It's about $80/month each for me. I'll usually keep two deactivated while they are parked in the barn. I'll have two active, and the other two are either waiting for me to repair them, or waiting till the other two break down. Sucked that one time I had three down at the same time...
I've had good luck using permethrin as a bug repellant instead of a clothing treatment.
They're (PIA) also owned by an ad company...