Dustdevil

Skip, as a medic in Texas since 1973, I'm afraid I have to fully agree with you. If it ain't an ambulance, it ain't an ambulance. Period. What you describe is no more an ambulance than a fire truck is. It's simply a first aid station. Nothing but a big first aid kit on wheels. And if no attempt is made to represent it as an ambulance, then TDH is just being a dick. An admin law attorney could probably set them straight if you have the money for such.

Sounds to me like what happened is a competitor ratted you out in an attempt to steal your business.

A similar situation happened to me in the early 80's. A competitor complained to the city of Fort Worth that the standby company I was supervising for was operating unlicensed in their city. One afternoon, a FWPD unit drove into the racetrack grounds and up to my ambulance, where he asked for my ID and told me I was being cited for unlicensed operation of an ambulance in the city. I told him that we weren't even IN the city! He said, "Yes sir. The city limits extend all the way to the railroad tracks." My reply was, "Uhhh... don't you remember crossing the tracks when you drove in here?" He stopped, looked at me for a second, then said, "Oh yeah! Sorry about that. Have a nice day!' and drove away.

I heard the following week that the jerk who had tried to rat us out was screaming and yelling at city hall on Monday morning about us not being cited!

Anyhow, the point being, you CAN fight city hall. They aren't always right.

Good luck!

As they should.

I agree in theory. However, it punishes the honest guy by allowing the liars to sneak through the system. The same standard should apply to all applicants.

Texas doesn't do automatic background checks on medics or nurses for licensure. But if you admit to ANY criminal background on your application, even simple misdemeanors, then they craw up your ass with a microscope and hold up your application sometimes for months.

Badges are a rookie/yahoo thing, and anybody carrying one is immediately identified as such by veterans. Within a couple of years in the field, you'll realize that, get tired of it, and wish you had your fifty bucks back. Medics are not "officers" of any sort, and do not carry any kind of legislated authority, which is what a badge indicates.

But, if you are absolutely dead set on inflating your ego for a year or two:

http://www.galls.com/style.html?assort=gen...06&cat=2643

Of course, if you're really eat-up hardcore, you can have one custom made to your specfications at the same place.

Dyna Med used to have some California style 7-point star badges that were nice, but their website is dead now. I think they sold out or something.

Yes, a very minimum of an associates degree should be required for entry into EMS.

But no, it will never happen. The IAFF and IAFC would fight any such legislation tooth and nail, and they have HUGE political clout. And since, unfortunately, most people in this country associate EMS with the fire service, they will listen to them. Not to mention that every politician with a budget will fight it because it would more than double what they currently spend for EMS.

Our good friend from the Great White North is correct. EMS needs to be completely restructured from the top down in this country. It's a total mess.

Love to see it! But it ain't happening.