ladyfirefighter36

For a while we were having so many 4 wheeler accidents/off road accidents that the joke motto became: "Strip and flip and ask questions later" Everyone around got a laugh out of it, but were really afraid to have an accident in our area

We can beat this to death. Volunteers feel that they are helping the community. Bottom line. We are helping the community, in some respect, whether you all think so or not. I think it is best to say we agree to disagree, and leave it at that. You won't change my mind and I won't change yours.

Dust, I think you are wrong. It is helping our community. We live in a very poor, senior citizen community. They don't have the money. I, for one, take pride in being able to GIVE those services to the community. Too many times, those who do it for a living, forget what service is all about. Would you still serve your community if you didn't get a paycheck? I do it because it makes me feel good to give something back to those around me. Yes, I wish I did have the time for a paramedic class. Yes, it would be funded, somehow. But I still feel we are offering the best that we can to those we help.

OK, you guys are probably right, that for those doing this as a profession, you need to go straight to paramedic. BUT, for those of us who are volunteers, work other jobs 6 days a week, we do not have a year's worth of time to put into the paramedic program, as much as we would like. The intermediate program enables us to provide that next level of care for our patients, that they would not have access to. The closest department to us, that has paid full-time personnel is 10 miles from our closest border and 20 miles to the outlying border. Go for your medic, if that is truly what you want to do with your career. Continue to take classes, to improve the skills that you have and to learn new techniques.

We just recently started carrying glucagon. I am so glad we did. We have a regular diabetic that we transport. He is always totally out of it, cannot give oral glucose. He is posturing and combative, so starting an IV for D50 hasn't been working either. He jerks and out they come. Twice in the last week we were able to give glucagon, bring the patient around, and load on the cot. Neither patient has complained of nausea, or had vomiting. Just acted like a happy drunk. Real chatty and loud. Better than the alternative.

Sometimes I think most of the patients we transport just need the TLC in the back. Yes, some try to such you in. When it comes to senior citizens, in my area, they just want someone to acknowledge they are still human. They have feelings just like anyone else. Yes, frequent flyers can get annoying, but that is part of the job. Don't like it, GET OUT. I always apologize for the bumps and noise, and for all the procedures that we HAVE to do. Being nice should come with the job. OK, I'm not always as nice as I should be, especially with an obnoxious drunk in the back, but most of the time, nice gets me a long way with finding out what I need to know with the patient.

:x Why did they even bother showing up if they weren't going to do anything. I would be furious. The owner stated that he didn't know about the service. How often do they go out collecting or send payment notices? Surely someone's a@@ is going to be on the line for this one. Glad I don't live in that area.

I do not believe that we have a right to impose our beliefs on others. If they ask, yes I will answer their questions. But, by withholding treatments or procedures, we are imposing our beliefs on someone else. They call us to help them, to make them feel better. If we are not willing to do everything in our power (as medical professionals, which we are) then we need to find another job. We need to be aware of their concerns as patients. What happened to a little compassion and TLC in the back of a unit. Sometimes that is all that is needed to relieve their anxiety. Yes, I believe in prayer. I have great faith, but I would never force that or expect that of someone else. Not long ago, late at night, we were transporting an elderly person for a tachycardia. She was very anxious and having trouble relaxing. She asked my dad(fellow emt) to say a prayer for her. Now everyone in our little town knows everyone else, so she knew her request would be granted. After he finished his assessment, a prayer was said. We watched the pulse rate go from the 140's, 130's, 120's, to 98 within 2 minutes. Would we have brushed her request aside. NO. If nothing else it comforted the patient. We are asked to lots of different and sometimes unconventional or strange things in the back of a unit. As long it isn't illegal, and I am able to comply, I will do so. My beliefs have nothing to do with the treatment I give. I don't drink. Never have, never will, but I still treat the obnoxious drunk, just as I would anyone else in my unit. If you are uncomfortable with the care that you are being asked to provide, don't expect someone else to pick up the slack. Get out and stay out. There are others who will take your place.

Had responded for assistance with neighboring department. Pt. was not well, awaiting transplant. We had 2 intermediates on board. Other unit had at least 1 intermediate and a couple of basics. Offered to with other unit to assist. They responded they didn't need us. We are enroute back to the station and we hear the intermediate call dispatch for a paramedic to meet them enroute. Dispatch wanted to know the situation. Intermediate states that if patient codes or goes out he will be helpless in the back of his unit. If you are helpless, then get the **** out of the squad. This was broadcast countywide. I would never dream of transmitting that kind of information. What did you learn CPR for.

We don't have a school in our service area. We will do something for the community and probably something at the local senior center.

we have one on board, but it is used as secondary, most of the time. All trauma calls must be done manually first, then the automatic can be attached, if you are really busy with other interventions. We may use it once in a while on a patient where the bp is hard to get.

When husband was made the chief of our volunteer department in 1993, I figured if I ever wanted to see him I'd better do somethng. I took fire training and then went on to EMT-B and now EMT -I. We enjoy working together and being able to share the joys and the sorrows. It helps to be able to come home and talk about a bad call with someone who understands the situation. It is just as great to be able to come home and share the excitement from a save. We have learned what each others strenth's and weaknesses are by working so closely together. For us,it has been easy.

Just kinda got thrown into it at first, it was a family thing. Then my husband was made fire chief and I figured if I ever wanted to see him, I better join and go also. Now, I do it because I love helping people. We have a mostly "Senior" population, and I have grown up knowing must of them. I want to be able to assist in their need. Many do not have families and we are the ones they turn to for help. Sometimes they just need a friendly face. I think that is the greatest reward.

I, too, would have notified someone. I work part-time for a wrecker service. We cannot move the vehicle until law enforcement has been on scene and OK's us to do so. As an EMT, I wouldn't want to be responsible for sending him on his way and then have another accident, possibly killing someone. Good Call.

There is NO way I would let him come on duty. I don't want to be hauled in for questioning after he has screwed up and the supervisor finds out I was aware of the situation. Send him home and let officers know.

Regardless of her past, and what she had done or not done, those people had a duty to take her complaints seriously. She should have been given medical treatment. I can't believe that a nurse would not start CPR or give oxygen. Come on, that much should have at least been basic. Are these people being investigated. What poor care. I wouldn't want any of them touching me or my family.

OF Course!!!! I do it because I enjoy helping other people. I run with a volunteer department, so I can't say I do it for the paycheck. I do it because I know that in the area I am from, it would take a long time for another unit to respond. I want to be able to give something to the community around me, something that is needed and appreciated. I don't do it for the lights and sirens. I do it for the smiles and the hugs you get from family members, after you have assisted a patient up off of the floor, or left an injured child at the emergency room.

I would choose Mercy or UPMC first. My father was in Allegheny, and I was not impressed. ER was OK, but on the floor patient care was terrible. I had to help them. Finally Dad (EMT-I) forced them to release him to home.

We also have several ATV accidents a year. Not as many as we did a couple of years ago, because a major 4 wheeling park shut down. Thank goodness. We would haul 20 people out on a holiday weekend. Quite a few still go to the area, but not as many accidents. Of course, always lots of alcohol around. Flew an older gentleman out a couple of years ago, with a serious shoulder injury. 6 a.m. and he already had a case in him. Glad it has slowed down. Got so bad, we got grant money and purchased a Polaris 6x6 and set it up as a rescue unit. Have used it. It is the greatest thing. No more carrying patients 4 miles to the squad. Used to have to go thru butt deep creeks to get to the patient and back out. This thing goes everywhere now.

Our vollie department does the extrication/transport. We are fire and ems, so we are cross trained. We are miles from another dept. so we need to know what to do, until additional help arrives, if needed.