I am a paramedic student, and at the beginning of this year I asked what would be a good service to do my field time...the suggestions I got were Reno, NV and Albuquerque, NM...Well, I chose MAST in Kansas City, MO. In fact, I am sitting in KC as we speak (type, whatever).
MAST uses the SSM (I believe Reno does also) and I love it. IMO, I would rather use that system than sit in my recliner at the station watching M.A.S.H. (no offense, good show). Thousands of hours of research and data collection have gone into such systems that determine unit placement throughout the city. The SSM system provides the management with a guideline to go by as far as scheduling goes. Why flood the city with ambulances, and then have half of them sitting around doing nothing. I see it similar to a "Power Car" that some services use during peak hours. And how they determine peak hours, the same research and data collection. MAST's system does not inflict the back problems, poor rest, etc. You usually aren't sitting long, and if you are, you've got the time to sleep if you're tired. Bam, that takes care of those two problems. IMO, I think it would be funny to see a tractor-drawn aerial posted at a McDonald's or something like that.
Although I like KC & MAST, I don't forsee myself working here. In part because my two preceptors told me, DON'T WORK FOR MAST. They say MAST makes it so hard for someone to work there due to your every popular politics and such. And someone mentioned large protocol books. I have MAST's on my computer right now - 264 page Adobe file. Wow, that is some good reading.
I think that anyone who works for a service and loves it there and is happy is going to (maybe wrongfully) guess that it would be that way for anyone who worked there. Maybe to them IT IS the bestest place in the world. But, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and I am sharing mine.
I was going to say something else, but I forgot. I'll check back to read up on the hate mail.
BTW - Thank you to all of those who have served or are currently serving this great nation in any branch of the armed forces. May God always protect you, for you are truly worthy. SUPPORT OUR TROOPS!!!