fireflymedic

Any other link to? I'm having issues being able to access it.

It is funny !

but then it's no fun. And there are other choices

I cannot take credit for this (though I wish I could) - found by someone else with a great sense of humor (thanks for the laugh !) TOO FUNNY!! Call the Nestle Crunch Hot line at 1-800-295-0051 . When you are asked if you want to continue in English or Spanish, just wait quietly for about 10 seconds. Then press 4 listen to the options...then press 7.

I'm not one to complain. The King airway is much simpler to use, meant for an easier insertion, does a fairly decent job of getting the job done, and much less airway trauma than a combitube produces. Plus it's almost impossible to screw it up. I'd go for it over almost any other alternative airway for basics. They are catching on across the state here (yeah we were a bit slow) finally and more and more services are utilizing them which I'm excited about. Plus you have a pedi size which you really don't for combi tube (you've got SA but that's it). Whereas with King you do have pedi size. It's been popular with anesthesia for quite a while being chosen over LMA on several occasions for simplicity - meant to follow right along roof of mouth and just inflate and seat. Perfect ! I don't think one could really complain. Plus reduces risk of aspiration more than LMA. Definitely a favorite of mine (but then again, I may just be partial.) I've used it a few times and in my experience, have no complaints. Only possibility I see for a screw up is either trying to put it in the trachea which it is not meant to be or choosing the wrong size. Other than that, no biggie ! Great option for BLS services !

If you work 24's you could have 3 basic emt's and 3 first responders if you choose to do it that way and your state allows it. If not, then it's a minimum of 9 emt's. However, if you choose to work 12 hour shifts, 3 or four a week, you still will be roughly looking at the same amount. If a non transport service, are you even required to maintain a full crew? Could you just get by with 3 potentially (and PRN personnel to cover when not available). That is something you would need to get in touch with the state and ask if you are requesting 24 hour coverage. You don't specify what state you're in so that makes it a bit tougher as you have people all over the nation (and some international) and each state obviously has it's own rules. Take care and good luck !

I've not heard of difficulties with obtaining valium right now - perhaps this is just a regional issue for you?

Lol - I've seen this floating around and very pertinent to the EMS side of things even though more than a few carry over to the ER as well (for our medic in ER friends). Happy holidays.

In this area, the vast majority of the calls are dispatched via state police posts and with the north and southern counties as well. Western and central tend to favor individualized dispatch from the city or county. However, I know all coming from post are at a minimum first responder trained and required to maintain certs and many are basics already. The same applies to the vast majority of county based services as well. They also go through a 4 week EMD course to be able to deliver pre arrival instructions and prioritize calls. They are also certified and more than able to render basic first aid. Obviously they can only do within their scope (as first responder) and can only utilize what they have. No supplies, then they cannot use what they do not have. But common sense and a little heart goes a long way. Again there's no way to tell that she would have survived anyway - there's no way to tell for sure. However, it's without question both she and the baby would have had a much better chance had at least basic care been given.

I like it !

One word - scary

Indeed there are three sides. The initial reporting that I heard identified them as EMT's which led to my intial outrage. However, I do have the same concern that others did. Why not call 911 and at least keep her from bashing her head in? Might be a smart idea. I know they at least were aware to do that as I would imagine FDNY dispatchers can give some pre-arrival instructions similar to those given throughout the country for basic first aid. Even walmart greeters have that knowledge to prevent them from hurting themselves. I'm not bashing them for their inability to act due to lack of equipment, that's perfectly excusable. If you don't have it, you can't use it. But they could have done basic first aid which I'm fairly certain they were competent enough to perform. It is the callous attitude they reacted with that bothers me such. The "it's not my job" mentality that I don't care for. Just my opinion....

Welcome, sit back, have fun and jump in to be part of the show. Others have given great advice about asking questions, learning, and being willing to back up your comments. We like a good debate every now and again. Great to have you around (even if you are from toronto !)

I agree TSK ! Just goes to show that the actions of 2 potentially bad EMS guys doesn't make all of FDNY bad. There's plenty of good people that work there as well I'm sure. Just unfortunately as many say you're only as good as your weakest link, and they brought negative publicity on the dept. At least this is a good story for them to show not all are the way those guys acted.

Chalk one up for a good response ! You know it had to hurt his wrist, but still did it. Glad to hear all are doing well. Great warm fuzzy story for the holidays.

First off let me be VERY clear on one thing - you know nothing about me, my former department, or the current situation here so I would highly suggest taking a different approach there. It is now you speaking with the stupidity that you reference. I came from a fire based dept that was excellently funded in the EMS department. And yes, most of our money came as a result of fire based grants because it was our EMS run volume that kept us functioning. I have assisted with the grant writing process and am familiar with it enough to know that a dept with a small run volume is not going to be competitive with a department with a larger run volume for grants. That is why EMS is included for almost all applications around here. The dept I came from had some of the nicest equipment, trucks, and the most aggressive ground protocols (and training maintenance requirements) for anywhere in the state at the time for an average ground service (by that I mean excluding specialty ie peds or critical care). We weren't a large dept but we had more than what we needed and I doubt few could rival it. There were some aspects I say would have been fantastic to implement at services across the state such as the skill maintenance clinical requirements etc. I'm glad you're in a decent dept that provides for your needs. That's great, but that's a rarity. I was referencing what I am seeing in surrounding departments, and a national trend within fire based programs. It's because of these issues with the exception of very few small paid city depts (and one large city dept) all are separate fire and ems. As for the rotation issue - if you have an adequate number of medics, etc you should have no trouble maintaining a content team. You cannot maintain adequate training for both fire (with all the specialties of rope, trench, etc) and EMS certifications and be excellent with both at the same time. Which was part of the reason I left fire based EMS - it was not because I wasn't content with where I worked. If burnout is an issue, don't rotate to the engine, use the money to put more buggies on the road ! And as for supporting our local FF - that is part of the issue they're dealing with and why I'm choosing to support them is their fight against city hall for choosing to close down a dual station (putting both trucks out of service) instead of a full fire company increasing the EMS workload and forcing them to use funds for fire not EMS. Use your intelligence and speak on what you know, not what you don't. I'm not saying all fire based departments are the devil and that they're bad - just as you said. There is good and bad in everything. Don't attempt to take a discussion to something you know nothing about. I didn't make a personal attack on your dept, so do me a favor and leave my former dept alone. As you failed to read - I actually SUPPORT fire in alot of things. Each has their specialty, and are good at it. Your comments were ridiculous, unfounded, and ignorant. Think before you speak next time.

Well noted Richard - especially the armor all comment - I have ended up in the wheel well more than once courtesy of an over-enthusiastic preceptee that decided it made the seats sparkle . *sigh* all well - at least as I slid across the bench seat it got nicely polished by my butt !

We were sold out and will continue to be sold out until the day he leaves office. Then once he does so, it will be impossible to reverse the mess he has caused because government will have too much control. I'm not anti government, looking to overthrow what's here, but I see big problems coming. If there weren't major problems with it, they wouldn't be trying to push it through so quickly. It's a rushed process and they don't want to evaluate what it is going to cost us. Once again, the rich will get richer, the poor will get poorer, and the middle will be paying for it all. Bend over america - here it comes.

Pathetic - no excuse for those actions. Glad the kiddo is okay though and kudos to the docs for catching it ! Good move there gang !

Haha, now that was funny ! Guess all he's getting is a lump of coal if he's lucky ! Santa might be mean and leave him a shovel to clean up the reindeer poop !

Ummm I don't see me referencing firemonkey, incompetent etc. However, this is called EMT City, not Fire City. I'm not against fire - I was originally a firemedic. I also support our firefighters that are going through some issues right now. Both serve their purposes. However, I do NOT agree with fire based EMS. I certainly think resources and grants that are poured into fire (based on medical runs to pad call volume) are much better directed to be used for EMS funds only. Not to buy a prettier shade of red fire truck when the current one works fine and there are EMS departments that are lucky to have a running truck ! But I won't start that arguement as its been debated to death on this forum. Just understand it wasn't the right audience, we're commenting on that, not fire in general (or at least I can speak that way for myself).