To say the very least, it takes a rare breed to be in the “business” of Emergency Medical Services. To be honest, there are those in the world of EMS that take it to the extreme…you know someone who fits the bill…heck, someone may say the same about you…you know that someone who actually creates a website dedicated to the medneck heritage must certainly be one themselves.

To be a Medneck, one must have a certain attachment to EMS, which probably exceeds that of some, if not all.

Having said that, this is the beginning of what is to be a long list of criteria that defines what a Medneck is.

So...if any of the items listed below pertains to you...congratulations...You Might Be A MEDNECK...

• If the chief of your agency has a restraining order against you.
• If you've ever sent the cast of Emergency! or Third Watch a holiday card.
• If you are a member of multiple EMS agencies - bonus points of you've ever worn the wrong uniform while on shift for one of those agencies.
• If you have worn a pager to your wedding, or if an ambulance was part of your wedding procession.
• If any apparel that you own refers as an "Extreme" or "Absolute" EMT (Medneck Apparel are an exception to this rule)
• If you own any apparel from any agency you are not affiliated with - how many people belong to Baghdad EMS anyway?
• If you have more than one pager on your belt.
• If your idea of getting "dressed up" is wearing a department golf shirt instead of a department t-shirt.
• If you own any type of jewelry with the Star of Life on it.
• If you've ever uttered, "I'm on the job from East Elbow Rescue Squad, ya got any extra gear?"
• If you refer to your significant other as the "Assistant Chief"
• If you've ever been in a physical altercation over any EMS related issue (outside of patient restraint).
• If you've ever made an EMS reference in bed - "prepare for the medicine that will get your heart racin'!"
• If you hear scanner tones, and can instantly name the agency being dispatched.
• If most of your life stories begin with "we were on this job once where..."
• If you've ever had to take chewing tobacco out of your mouth to give ventilations.
• If you've ever taken two sets of dentures out before giving mouth to mouth ventilations.
• If you've ever had to share a nebulizer treatment.
• If you've ever worn oxygen on a shift.