rock_shoes

No worries. I'd say it's quite obvious neither of us are fans of alcohol or stupid people being allowed to vote.

I think that idea has some merit. I would rather people be forced to become educated in government structure and function to gain the vote as opposed to simply upping the age. I wouldn't worry about the youth vote anyways dust. Most of them don't even bother. I'm kind of the odd one out in insisting that I vote in every election provincial or federal. I hope you didn't get the impression that I condone drinking and driving because I most certainly do not. I don't drink at all myself. Never have. I believe in letting people have the choice to direct their own lives so long as it doesn't negatively impact other peoples lives. As far as I'm concerned if someone wants to hit self destruct so be it. It's their life to live. As for procreation sometimes I wonder if people should be required to obtain a "procreation license" to have children (but that's a whole other topic). No argument from me on that one.

If you want to see how a lower drinking age affects things just look north (or east if you're in Alaska). It varies a little by province (18 in some 19 in others), but it's lower than the US drinking age in all provinces. Personally I think if your old enough to vote your old enough to drink.

If it's anything like what BCAS does it will mean a physical and a fitness test using the CPAFLA guidelines (with some EMS specific tests thrown in for good measure).

I simply wouldn't do it for minimum wage. Just work in private heavy industry untill you can afford to upgrade to a license level that pays better. Not that I'm unwilling to make some sacrifices to work in a 911 system. Currently I'm making $25.75 working in a saw-mill while I make the transition over to working public ambulance for BCAS. With BCAS I'll be taking close to an $8 an hour pay-cut to get started. The difference being that is still more than double minimum wage. The experience while I wait to start into the PCP program(hopefully this coming January) is worth the sacrifice. The vollys might not like this comment, but the truth is I'm glad we don't have them were I live. If we did we would be facing the same low wage issues some of the other members of the furum are. P.S. Sorry for any spelling errors the SpellCheck Wasn't working when I made the post. Ed

Precisely. One of the biggest reasons tolerance is becoming so low for smoking is the fact that is affects the health of innocent people who merely happen to be in the presence of someone who smokes. Standing beside an obese person isn't going to make you obese. Standing beside someone who is smoking may help you to develop cancer or some sort of respiratory illness.

Thank you for posting this Brentoli. A very good read all the way through.

I say thank god for progressive services such as yours. Without services like this one willing to try things still deemed experimental we would be much deeper in the dark ages of EMS than we are. As for some medics not being up to the task I don't believe it will be a problem in these types of services. If a service is this progressive sub-par medics will not last more than a few weeks and most likely won't make it past the interview. I look forward to seeing the published results when they are available. Please keep us posted.

Oprah Girdle-Tush :oops:

Thanks for the heads up on the exam but I have already finished licensing successfully. Your quite right about scouring the books before hand as there are definitely things included in the exam that are not covered in the course. Just an update for any following along. I had my interview which went well as I received a letter a few days later indicating I was successful with that portion of the process and I now needed a criminal record check, physical, and fitness assessment. I've put in for the CR check, had the physical and only have the fitness assessment left to do.

If you are a health care professional any action that could impair your judgement or the health of your patient should not be tolerated. That includes the use of tobacco products, alcohol, and drugs in my book. Simple fact of life. Of course if you can go your entire shift without a cigarette more power to you. Willing to bet the vast majority of smokers can't and hence hiring practices such as this hospitals arise.

5%. Not exactly the high score I see.

Good catch. +5 for that one. I most definitely meant to say tenet.

One of the interesting things about being Canadian is that it's possible to be a centrist and still have a party to vote for. Some issues I lean right, others I lean left. I dislike the polarization that happens with a two party system. I certainly don't agree with all right wing tenants nor do I believe in all left wing tenants.

The one thing about being declared an essential service that I've seen with my Dad's occupation (CAMRT registered X-ray tech), is that arbitration becomes much more likely. On another note maybe you should be compared to RN's to some degree. I know my Dad's yearly earnings are comparable to an RN's.

My co-workers have a decent sense of humour so I've actually said a few of those at work. 1, 3, and 10 come to mind actually. Must admit I found #6 "Who lit the fuse on your tampon?" particularly humorous. Can't say I've said it but I've sure thought it.

First off. Good luck to those working for Calgary EMS in getting a pay raise. Just because some of our brethren to the south are willing to work for peanuts doesn't mean we should do the same. I currently make $25 an hour labouring in a sawmill while I try to get on with BCAS (interview's next friday so wish me luck). There is no way an EMT/PCP or EMT-P/ACP should make a similar hourly wage to a general labourer. Secondly. How in the he!! has EMS failed to be declared an essential service in Alta.? I'll be the first to admit that BC politics are loopy as can be but at least we got that one right.

In that case it would have come down to whether or not you deemed the elbow to be a distracting injury. That all depends on the patient as everyone handles pain differently. I suspect it would be considered distracting in a 9 y/o. I certainly wouldn't fault someone for bringing her in on a board.

tniuqs, I take it you managed to get the lowdown on what actually happened. I'm happy to hear it wasn't what was indicated by the initial poster on the other forum. That would have been a real black eye for the profession.

Tough to say based on the information given. How fast was the ATV going at the time? Did the patient remember the entire incident without gaps? Did the patient hit her head neck or back? Did the patient have any indication of a concussion? Numbness or tingling in the extremities?

That is inappropriate on so many levels it's sickening. If what the original poster stated happened, that instructor should have been fired and his paramedic license suspended until a proper investigation of the incident could be done.

Thanks for the very sound advice Al. I most definitely intend to go for my PCP ASAP. The only reason I'm applying before I've done it is because I want to get my foot in the door and accumulate some seniority. Also I really dislike doing much of the private sector work. Going three weeks without so much as handing out a bandaid really doesn't do anything to increase my professional experience. With Industrial EMS it's either nothing or the ^*&(* really hits the fan. No in between for the most part. As for working in small rural stations. I think I'll quite enjoy putting in my time there. Some off my top picks on my station list selection were Golden, Field, Rossland, Lilloet. I grew up in a rural area so it won't take much adjustment for me. Also I'd love to spend some time working in the Kootenays. Climbing ice and rock, and skiing are pretty high on my list of favorite activities so anywhere in that region would be a good fit. Cheers, Ed

836 after a few minutes of playing around. How did you do?

They are doing an active employment drive for ACP's right now so you should be set. $30k a year would be about a $20k a year pay cut from what I currently earn working at a sawmill running various equipment and covering first aid. That's why I ask if that's a realistic earning potential. Losing extended health and taking a $20k a year pay-cut is a pretty big leap but I'm prepared to do it if that's what it takes. The biggest reason I want to get started with BCAS sooner than later is because I will then have the option of doing my PCP over 8 months as opposed to 4. More time to absorb the information in the compressed BC program and vastly better experience than what I'm getting at the sawmill.

Here goes. I'm currently working my way through the BCAS hiring process and I have a few questions for those who have been through it. I've finished both my class 4 and EMA licensing for my current level of training. Also I have submitted all the requisite paperwork that needs to be included with the application package. I finally have an interview June 29th. 1) The interview is a "behavioral based" interview. I have zero experience with this type of interview and as a result it makes me a little nervous. What is it like? Is there anything specific I should do to prepare? 2) Currently I'm licensed as an EMR, but I would like to take my PCP ASAP. Would that be considered a plus or a minus? I understand that they want the best trained people possible but having new hires take time off right away to go for more education isn't exactly cost effective. 3) I can survive on $30000 a year if that's what it takes to get started but I don't know if that amount is a realistic level of earnings. Should I be prepared to work a second job to supplement until I'm able to finish my PCP? Thanks for any replies/advice in advance. Ed