Jessi

Condolences to his family and friends.

1) Not going to blow the whistle about anything, as stated, you can't prove food was eaten in the back of the unit. However, I don't think it's right to leave the fast food wrappers and cups in the trashcan to stink up the unit.

2) It's more of a who is right kind of deal. What I had found was different with each place I looked.

3) I don't care if people want to eat on the unit, I've done it before. (Granted not in the patient compartment)... however don't leave the mess on the unit. If you put fast food wrappers in the trashcan, then empty the trash after the shift is over.

Uh oh..sounds like someone is pissed that the last crew didn't clean out their unit after shift.....

Dwayne

Dwayne, you would have shat bricks if you had seen the condition of the unit when I walked in.... however it's only from 2 other teams, and I have a feeling it's going to be taken care of soon.

Okay, Here's the deal...

My Captain and I were cleaning out the unit. I went to take the trash off the truck and in the trashcan, there were fast food bags, wrappers, and cups.

1) Is this indeed an OSHA violation that can result in a fine?

2) How much is said fine?

3) What are the limitations to this? (i.e. BioBag only? Food/drink trash on the truck in general?)

4) What's your department/company's take on food/drink in the unit?

I have looked up at the OSHA site, however it's very broad. I can't really find a straight forward answer for the question. My Captain says that to have food/drink on the ambulance is NOT a violation... however I've heard very different. So much so that it's not allowed at the other department I run for.

If you don't mind me asking, how much are you spending on a pair of glasses now?

Right now about $350.

I personally don't wear glasses. If I did I'm not so sure that I would pay that much money relying on what the internet/tv says. I would much rather have known someone who has really used them before I would consider even buying them. I think you can only get reading glasses at Walmart and places like that.

http://www.wdbj7.com/health/wdbj7-new-eyeglasses-could-make-bifocals-and-progressive-lenses-a-thing-of-the-past-20120110,0,3749709.story

There are people out there wearing them. They were created locally in my area.

I have been waiting for ages for glasses with windshield wipers!

Anyone who wears glasses and once came into a warm room out of the cold knows what I`m talking about...

I had the reverse problem. People would turn the AC up in the unit, jump out of the truck on a summer day, and couldn't see anything!

I'm 20, I have bifocal lenses... I have to say it kind of trips you up with stairs.. however, I tend to lose/break glasses quite frequently. Last year I went through 4 pairs. With my track record of losing/them breaking them, I don't want to spend THAT much on 1 pair of glasses.

http://www.lifeactivated.com/

I saw this on the local news, it's an interesting concept and I think it would be cool to own something similar, however, not at a $1200 price tag.

I don't know. I recert in May, before any of these changes take effect, so I guess for now I'm safe. Granted, however, I am curious as to what they tack on to the "Advanced EMT" title.

Okay,

So I sent an email to the big dude over training for the county. What I got back said that EMT would still be EMT. However, enhanced would be moved and called "Advanced EMT". This "Advanced EMT" cert would be a blend of enhanced and intermediate skills. Intermediate and Paramedic will still remain.

The details with this are so wound up it's hard to get a straight answer. I will keep updating this as I find out more.

I had spoke to the Captain on this topic previously, he said that there would indeed be updates and essentially a bridge class. However, I am still questioning whether or not these changes are actually going to happen.

I don't know if it would be a wise idea to move ALL of the EMT-Basics covered under WVEMS to a level equivalent to an EMT-Enhanced.

Had an interesting conversation with a few of my fellow members at the station about new protocols that are supposedly coming out in June/July for the area covered under Western Virginia EMS.

From what I understand, EMT-Basic will no longer exist. It will be "EMT". The person holding an EMT title will now function at the level of what now is EMT-Enhanced. Then you will also have EMT-Intermediate and Paramedic.

I was wondering if anyone had heard anything about these new protocols or just protocol changes in general?

(I realize we all don't practice under the same protocols, however I'm curious if there is anything similar in other locations and how it's working out)

My heart goes out to everyone involved and also to their families.

http://www.wdbj7.com/news/blogs/wdbj7-one-person-killed-in-accident-involving-ambulance-cement-truck-20120106,0,357692.story

Street... the post was edited/removed by a Mod for content.... you're not going to find it.

AK edited: While I can appreciate your predicament, I think you need to keep this offline. If you wish to write out your story here and then see what comes your way via PM, I am ok with that. What I cannot allow is blatant soliciting for money as eventually everyone will be here doing what you have done. So please, no begging but story sharing is fine.

In lies the explanation

Was browsing around and happened to find this story. Why would someone want to do this to people??

Slowly but surely losing faith in my fellow man.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/12/30/david-dean-smith-michigan-hiv-grand-rapids_n_1177103.html?1325293020&icid=maing-grid7%7Caim%7Cdl1%7Csec1_lnk3%26pLid%3D124026

Got a 9-1-1 last night, dispatched for "subject sick". Dispatch gave us the further information.... "56 y/o female subject says her head is stuffed up. Wants to go to the hospital."

We ended up transporting.

Some people I just seriously wonder about.

If it takes 10 minutes, it takes 10 minutes, if it takes an hour, it takes an hour. If it's not safe for the provider... then the provider doesn't need to enter the scene.

Don't feed flaming. He's just bitter at not having a family to be with on Christmas, so he's lashing out at people's desires to go home to their own. He is an unpleasant little man hiding behind his sexuality. Here's some eggnog, mate. Cheer up.

I've noticed the pattern in his posts. Seems to try and start an argument regardless of the topic... it's sad.

The first thing they teach in an EMT class.... "Scene safe, BSI."

Is the scene safe? Yes: Okay, awesome.

No: I'm not going in until PD is there, I'm going to stage at a safe distance... they'll just have to wait.

I'm no good to the patient if I'm a patient myself. I'm also not going to try and move a patient without adequate resources. That's not only a potential risk to my patient, it's a risk to me as well. I can justify why I waited an extra 6 minutes for FD to get there to help me lift the 400lb patient... I don't think I justify trying to lift the patient, dropping them, and injuring them further and potentially injuring myself.

"Yeah...whatever."

"Just sayin'"

"Ya know?"

Using text lingo outside of a text message. "OMG!! She said that?"

Forgive me if I repeat, been too long since I've jumped in on a scenario.

First and foremost.. BSI. Scene safety. Dogs? Anything/anyone that could possibly hurt me or my partner?

What's around her? Pill bottles? Anything that could possibly be perceived as a weapon? Clean home? A total wreck?

Lung sounds? Double check the pressure to make sure. She's getting shocky. Plan to treat accordingly. I personally would be calling for an ALS intercept. Fluids aren't gonna hurt her at this point.

Blood? How much? Where? On the clothes? Floor? Do we know how big of a laceration? Any bleeding noted from anywhere else?

Where is the location of the pain? The entire abdomen? Any specific quadrant?

What's the rash look like? Blisters? Open sores? How long has she had the rash?

Are the bandages still controlling the bleeding?

Any loss of consciousness PTA?

Do we know what caused the miscarriage?

At this point most of my questions are going to be answered en route. Load and go situation. Plan to meet ALS en route. If no ALS, high flow oxygen high flow diesel. Treat for shock.

Maintain... Maintain... Maintain.

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We are looking for a tight-knit fun ambulance crew with interesting, dramatic, and exciting personalities for a real life TV series. If you are new to the job or work with family members, even better!

So, if you think your crew is unique and entertaining we want to hear from you.

Please send a description of the people you work with and why you think you would make great TV. Also please send any appropriate photos and links to video so we can get a sense of whom you are.

email us at chelseacohen@me.com Like · · 23 hours ago ·

I am going to go ahead and call the uber bullshit.....

I run in uniform as much as I can, but sometimes, it just doesn't happen that way.

As for showing up in underwear.. not a chance. Like I stated previously, we do have minimum clothing requirements you have to meet to get on the truck. That's just that. Non-negotiable in my view. If you aren't presentable, you don't need to be on the truck. As for "completely filthy and at least don't stink."... I've had to deal with my share of very stinky providers... was not pleasant.

And unfortunately... I've seen it happen. (not with my dept thank God.. but seen it happen none the less) We have strict rules about drinking/tobacco etc. You smoke? It's outside of the station and most certainly not on scene or in the truck. You dip? That's fine.. not on the truck (en route to a call or clearing it), not in front of the patient, not in front of the family, not during patient care, and not at the hospital. End of story. Drinking? No tolerance. No exception.

*edited for the sheer fact that my brain was working faster than my hands*

DFIB:

1) So the fact that I don't show up in a sparkly uniform all the time and am a volunteer in a rural setting means that I'm "under-trained" and have no idea what my role is?

2) The fact that I have had to run a call in jeans and a t-shirt means that I'm unprofessional and that the patient isn't going to get the proper/good quality care?

3) Because I'm in a rural volunteer situation.. that means that I don't care for myself properly and don't have access to EMT classes?

Not all rural volunteer EMS providers are rednecks that walk around with beer cans and a cigarette/dip in our mouth all the time with minimal training. We quite frequently have training at my station, we also have an EMT class in our county, and in a neighboring county.

That is what the ID badges are for. Not to mention the "Hello, my name is _____. I'm with the rescue squad. What's going on today?"

If you have signed up to be on duty that day/night OR it is your assigned duty night, then you WILL be in uniform.

However, weeknights, our duty is 1800-0600. Anything during the day will be answered by either, anyone available, or by paid staff. Some of us respond to the station during the day to run calls, many times someone has just gotten out of class, or has just gotten off work. We may or may not be in "station uniform". We respond when we can. Most people are thankful just for that.

If you are sick/injured/dying... is your first thought going to be "Damn.. they're not in a uniform." I.. highly doubt it.

My prayers and best wishes go out to all those involved

6 people on scene? Although I have seen it happen before here, it's usually a fire/wreck etc. Something that warrents that many people. As for my station, we're allowed to have up to 4 people on the truck. 1 driver, 1 AIC, and 2 trainees (given this is at the discretion of the AIC and the AIC, if they so choose, can have no trainees at all) As for yelling at an attending.. that's a no-no. Not only does it show how childish that person is, but it shows a blatant lack of respect to people who, contrary to popular belief, deserve it.

As for the inappropriate/sloppy dress and appearance. I run at a volunteer squad, therefore, I may show up not in a uniform shirt, or wearing blue jeans. But I do make sure that I'm not completely filthy and at least don't stink. There are strict rules here that you have to comply with to be on a truck. I.E. No shorts, no sandals/open heeled or open toed shoes(no crocs and socks deal), no low cut shirts, no clothing with profanity or an inappropriate motto on them, and no "pajama" clothing. Common sense kind of stuff. If you arrive for your duty night, you need to be dressed in a station uniform. (Meaning ems pants, station duty shirt, and boots).. Etc, etc.

Yes, I understand we all have rough nights. Yes, I understand that this is, by all means, not an easy job. Yes, I get that sometimes we're in bad moods and just don't want to deal with people. But keep in mind, we're here to HELP people. Don't take out your frustrations on the patient, the patient's family, or the ER/Hospital staff... how do you know they aren't having an equally crappy night/day? You need to relieve stress? Go to the gym, take a run, etc.

We're in a profession that people look up to us for help and guidance. Please... remember the golden rule. It applies... to us especially.