Yesterday was the first day of our first responder training for the Volunteer Fire Department. For the uninitiated, First Responders are trained to handle medical emergencies before EMT's and paramedics can arrive on the scene. About two months ago, we pretty much unanimously decided that all of our firefighters should be trained as First Responders, partly because we have a hard time getting enough EMT's, partly because, well, it's a durned good idea.

Yesterday was the CPR training. It was about twice as long and in depth as the standard CPR certification, because we had to be certified in infant CPR as well, and in training on the defribillator. It was a cakewalk for me at least; although I've not been CPR certified in years, it all comes back to you pretty quickly. So now I have THAT card and can look forward to 7 more grueling Saturdays (after the First Responder class, I have to spend 4 hours on the paper route). But I'm willing to wager a fair sum that it won't be long before someone, somewhere, will be mighty glad I took this time.

Oh yeah. And I get a patch for my jacket. That's pretty cool, in my eyes, at least!