NYCEMS9115

You can volunteer at a Volunteer Ambulance Service/Squad/Corp. They take non EMTs in, as members; some do ride alongs and assist the EMTs, like retrieving equipment. There is no patient care involvement but you can observe.

Google for your local Volunteer EMS.

In NYS, outside NYC (even though NYC has Volunteer EMS but they do not really respond to 911 calls); most all 911 service is provided by the local Volunteer EMS and the ALS service is paid. Research online; it'll take you several minutes to locate one. Good luck....

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/counties/map.htm

Your welcome. Hope the changes are good.

Make sure you have change of clothing; socks and underwear too. Enough money, just in case. A nice book &/or mag. Phone charger and phone. Stethoscope and other EMS supplies you're suppose to have. Extra pens. Watch. Laptop; you never know. Make sure you have a book bag to hold all this.

Lastly, bring your A game and leave your drama at home. Do not get involve in other's. No pooping, where you eat..... Good luck....

Forgot to mention snacks and beverages; bring enough to share. Want to make a good inpression? Bring donuts and coffee for everyone; we say we don't like donuts but who doesn't like a jelly powdered donut?

It may have been a paraphrase of the quote; like our chief complaints.

Maybe the police did their part and then allowed EMS to do their's, hence D. Hernandez in the back of the ambulance with Rep. Giffords going to the hospital.

The media provides the cliffnote version of the truth (I hope). The only ones who know the truth, are the ones there.

We can question the heroism of the elderly man who jumped on top of his wife and took the buillets. The 2 guys who MMA'ed the shooter and the heroic woman who Matrix under the gunfire to take away his clip. The little girl's tunnel vision of Political Power. We can all question that. We don't because it was a tragic event which claimed 6 lives. We should be questioning the gun laws in the Sedona State.

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/emsforms.htm

go to the reciprocity column...

http://www.health.state.ny.us/nysdoh/ems/main.htm

this is the main page; sorry...

http://www.azdhs.gov/bems/

http://phoenix.gov/fire/index.html

http://www.ncdhhs.gov/dhsr/EMS/ems.htm

http://www.ncems.org/

http://www.tarascon.com/products/?bc=9305-0

I have this; its small and it tells you almost all the medications on the market; FDA approved. It has sections on BCLS/ACLS/PALS. Its geared for the MD but I've been using this brand of pocket guide for medication for 10 years.

Luckily, in NYC; Medics must refresh every 3 years on the Protocols and its a 100 question exam (pay $25). Plus, all NYC Continuing Education (we have to do 72 hours within a 3 year span) given always re-introduces the correlating Protocol(s) in the lecture. So the Protocols are pretty fresh in our heads.

This pocket guide is awesome and inexpensive. They do have this on ebay for less; that's where I purchased mine. Good luck...

That is why you became a Paramedic; all the money and time spent to learn all the didactic knowledge to be a Prehospital Care Practictioner. Its one of the few jobs where it can be pressured pack; adrenalin running through the vessels; a sense of euphoria; a difference can be mde with a split decision. Awesome feeling huh? At least you got through your first arrest and regardless of the outcome; you and your partner did all you could. If that's the case, you should be proud. Its when you don't do everything; then you should question your worth. Keep up the enthusiasm and persistance; these qualities with help you through the rough times.

I remembered working NYC 911; 4 months out of school at a Hospital Based EMS (Victory Memorial); I did 7 cardiac arrests and ET intubated 10x in my first week. It was ridonculous. It was great to have already done most of the ALS skills in my first week minus the needle cric and decompression. I did that my first month there. Brooklyn is crazy...

TylerHastings I am sorry for your lost. It was a horrible day for most. It was a day I remember so vividly; all details not left out. I know it made me stronger; I see it did for you... Thank you for sharing; I really appreciated that...

I was at the WTC Tribute Foundation today and I gave my accounts of 9/11. I also donated several items for display in the museum.

I would love to hear someone'story. What is your story?

http://m.youtube.com/watch?desktop_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D2rXUkcDWX9E%26feature%3Dyoutube_gdata_player&feature=youtube_gdata_player&v=2rXUkcDWX9E&gl=CA

Thanks Richard B..... Sorry....

Check the link; the President of DC-37 goes on for 8mins about what was done.... Magic 8 Ball is a great idea.... FDNY EMS called my company at 3am for Mutual Aide; that's a little too late...

Check www.nycremsco.org

Its the EMS governing body for the 5 Boroughs (Counties) of NYC. The test is not easy. Good luck with the medic class at Methodist; FYI it doesn't have the best reputation among EMS Academias... LGCC and BMCC offer the best programs in NYC...

Ridryder 911 awesome post; you're 100% right.... Its happening... Thank you...

rat115 you're so right; standardization; that's the first step. NREMT for all; sounds good. Respect; that too. Many on this forum are not respectful for one...

RedOnTheHead we won't rid ourselves of volunteers; as long as areas continue to pad their pockets and not services; we won't see that. Look at trying to get rid of volunteer FD; at this time impossible. Improving the EMT-B is a start. Restructuring a system's teir is another start. Having Degree only Paramedic; starting with an Associates is another start; its there but needs to be like Nursing, available. Increase the Paramedic's scope; allowing us to be like a fast track; many more patients will not be transported to the hospital; is another start. This will save $ for the Healthcare System; where reimbursements will be better. However, its all a tough sell and something where in the US will not likely happen because of the green all love; thus greed. Your thread was great; thank yoy...

Prmedc your right. We are not is the same umbrella. Education only helps; for many it makes who they are. Its something that will never be taken away. Its a process but who will take on this process. Definateluy not DOT, NHTSA, or NREMT. Its up to all of us to lobby & protest for education change for EMS. Thank you...

http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local-beat/New-EMS-Chief-Named-One-Week-After-Blizzard-112977039.html

Finally! He's gone... He was egotistical, selfish, powered driven, money hungry, unprofessional punk. He never should have been promoted to Chief. He was a bad Capt who made advances to his female subordinates; he was transfered from station to station, divisions to divisions... Good for him; maybe NYC EMS will change for the good of the people...

paramedicmike; I'm not going to respond to your thread. You're entitled to do what you did.

That being said; "Um'" not a word. We all can pick at the littlest thing.

However, thank you for telling us EMS means Emergency Medical Services. I never said it didn't; I used the proper abbreviation. Did I?

Lastly, thank you. All the best.

However, your right with what you posted...

However, you're right with what you posted...

However, you're right with what you posted...

Ok... The first couple of insults were already overboard. I think he's got it... We all need to support each other; not ridicule one another...

EMS is Every Member Strong; we need to help and support one another, to make each other stronger... We need to save the energy; negative or positive, to fight for progress in EMS... He's new and he obviously wants to work; he's energetic; most were when they started... Its EMT-B not scholar PhD... What he wrote was fine... This forum is for EMS education, awareness, social networking, fun, news relay, & support purposes... Many are right about the uncommon abbreviations he used but we don't need to beat it to death...

Good Luck...

But ant 6.0; worry about all this when you're a week from your EMT-B State Exam... You have more important things to worry about.

Study study study!!!! Ask questions; no question is dumb; its dumb not to ask......

Any experience is good experience..... You must earn your way to the top; it takes time; enjoy it.......

Its a delicate matter and it will take years before something like Degree only Paramedic Programs. If there are changes; I hope its to the right direction. I know we all can agree on that...

Prmedc. Unfortunately, you experienced something that shouldn't be. It was the people involved not the degree. School only benefits a person. Its like saying a seasoned EMT or EMT-I can be a Paramedic based on experience. On paper the AS and BS in Paramedics is great. I have it in Paramedics. I've been Management since 2006. I was able to get a Management Position at a new company due to my degree and experience. That will seperate me from a Paramedic with just experience.

It may not make better Medics but it makes the Medic able to transfer credits to other Science Degrees like Nursing. We insult the Paramedic. Referring us to drug addicts, blue collar, plumbers, etc. We are that if the individual is like that. They're some like myself who respect the job or profession. Its people who've made what EMS is. All the negative comments one has is because of bad experience. On paper the degree Paramedic is better. We can argue all points. Look at the RN, NP, CRNA with ASN, BSN, MSN, PhdN Degrees. It took hundreds of years for Nursing to be what it is today. If we don't fix or improve EMS; we will remain stagnant and considered a hobby. If you want to be a doctor; you have to get your BS/Pre Med, pass the MCATS, then get accepted into Medical School, Greduate, get into Internship Program, then to Chief Attending, finally to Fellow. This is a process established to become a Doctor.

So Paramedics need to develop a process beyond a HS/GED. The Degree for the Paramedic only helps; it doesn't hurt. One without can hurt. If you want to be Director of EMS; most require a degree. If you want to be the Dean of an EMS Program; most if not all require a degree. If you want to be an Executive for Ambulance Company; many require a degree. Chief of EMS; most require a degree. Degrees don't make the profession; the person does but with the degree; that person's job is recognized as a profession.

EMT-B/I/P's are not consider a profession; its a job. Degrees will change that. You may be gray when that happens. So keep working, pushing, striving to be the best Provider possible. Lobby and write to your elected officials. I know we all want EMS to reach unlimited success. I know I do....

Ridryder 911, I agree with almost everything you've said. I've been saying that for over a decade.

That being said; I don't believe insurances will pay more: regardless of who's on the ambulance. They pay for the ride not the care. No itemized payments. The US HHS hasn't increase the Medicare and Medicaid rates in years. They've enacted policies to make it harder for ambulance services to get and retain money. On audits they'll take the money paid to the service if mileage, times, & signatures with printed names are not on the paperwork. That's why Managers like myself reprimand all who do not comply. They just passed a policy where the mileage must have the decimal tenth on the mileage too. If not; they'll round it down and take back partial reimbursements.

I'm just saying...

I believe protocols need to reflect the needs of patients. We're hearing a lot on TBI and the NFL has big rules on Head Injuries and not allowing a player to come back until he's thoroughly examined and cleared. In NYS, we have a click it or tic-ket slogan to prevent MVA deaths; so why doesn't NYS/NYC push for helmet or ticket laws. We know the cost to treat TBI is staggering...

I've heard from one MD; that's right, one MD who gave a CME lecture on TBI at NY Weill Cornell; he was the Chair of Neurology at NY Columbia Presby. He was surprised that we couldn't give Mannitol; he believes & studies have shown its a great edema reducer & for the TBI pt with increased ICP; it works wonders; it is a mainstream medication. This lecture was given 9/10. Also, reverse tredelenberg also helps to lower ICP. I've done 8hrs CME on TBI after that one and each one MD who gave the lecture said the same thing. I've relayed lectures from these CMEs to NYC REMSCO; they haven't responded neither. I requested Mannitol to be in our head injury protocol and the notation about placing the pt into a reverse trendelenberg for moderate to severe TBI pts. It has been 2 months since I've sent emails to the region.

That being said; Mr. Woo, I hear you and I am also fustrated w/ NYC REMSCO. I agree that they do little to hear what providers say. Its a sad time in NYC EMS.

See:

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/433855-overview

Updated 11/1/2010, so its pretty current..

We as EMS providers can guessimate the CPP. We can formulate the MAP by: (2x diastolic + systolic) / 3.... If the MAP is low (normal 70-110) then the CPP will be low. MOI and S/S will let you know that there's a TBI. Mannitol must be given; it takes 2-8hrs to work. Dose is 0.25-1g/kg q 4-6hrs. Its pricey but so are the cost for TBI pts....

What I like to see change is; I can only speak for NYC, there must be brotherhood and sisterhood. There has and is still anamosity towards fellow EMS/PHC members. Why? We must get along, shared ideas, and co-exist. We don't have to break bread with one another but we must respect each other. Even on the forum; many do not respect each other. Its I'm better than you mentality. Do we need a disaster to honor each other? Let's get along. Let's respect thy fellow EMT...

This is one of the things I would like to see changed in NYC EMS and EMS as a whole...

Happy New Year, EMT City Members...

Unfortunately, medicine is a practice. You can never get everyone to agree on the same thing. I believe something; others may dispute. Science based studys are only thing that changes the practice of medicine. Ideas are things that starts a study. Every practice must use education, continuing education, protocols, guidelines, experience, & discussions to make medical disicions. This is what we all must do; sometimes it can be the wrong dicision. Mostly, due to the misunderstanding of the science. You will meet resistance and bias because you have ideas. Be prepared. See many posts; how members get rediculed because they have different ideas. Go for it. Good luck.

Yes, the snow was nice to watch with a cup of hot cocco, sitting by the fireplace.... I am a Manager at a Private Company in the Bronx, NY... I had to go in because I had several units stuck; lucky I have an X3.... Hospitals wanted patient discharged during the storm; demanded it.... I had a crew stcuk the whole night by Montefiore North.... Nothing anyone could do; I had another unit go with the shovel to try to dig them out; no luck.... Nothing was plowed; nothing....

I can't blame one person for this snow; other than mother nature.... The Mayor is to blame because he's the Mayor... If the allegations are true that the NYC Dept of Sanitation Brass ordered workers to start late, skip streets, take long breaks, etc because of labor disputes with the city; then those involved should be terminated; pension voided, and healthcare suspended, and all perks one receives when they leave sanitaion, gone. This was uncalled for; this explains why the street to my garage wasn't touch at all; not until 2 days later. Ridiculous ppl will do this for personal gain.... FDNY EMS kept calling for mutual aide during the storm... A call the day before; maybe I could have helped; not the night of.... This may change NYC/FDNY EMS's tune; to charge non FDNY EMS 911 Units $72,000 a tour come 1/1/2012...

This and other reasons made me leave NYC. I live in Orange County NY; they had the streets done later that morning and afternoon.... Streets were drivable come Monday noon... The Bronx at that time was still buried. I had patient's street, sidwalk, walkways snowed covered. Their appts cancelled as a result. Thousands of dollars was lost due to the snow on that Monday alone. So kudos to NYC Dept of Sanitaion for the stunt they'd pulled to hurt everyone in NYC.... THANK YOU...

I totally agrre with the change.... I hate having to be on hold with the MD.... I concur; good luck with this....