cosgrojo

Hey rid.... what's the difference between PHTLS and..... PHTLS????? Overly fond of acronyms?

CONGRATS!!!! Good luck with your newly deserved "dehydration technician" license! Keep us updated on your search!

Yeah.... tell them to get a real job... one that won't ruin their lives and make them squadushe for money.... If that doesn't work, tell them Hep B can lie dormant in dried blood for weeks.... and then explain what Hep B is. I'm not a paramedic, so I'm sure that you would be much more appropriate to answer the questions... Good luck!

19% Dixie. Wow! You are a Duke of Yankeedom! Hmmmmmm.... so does this mean I shouldn't have the rebel flag draped over the back of my pick-up obscuring my bevy of 12 guage rifles?

I'm recently married (little more than a month) and have been together for almost 6 years. I was in EMS before we met, so she had to come to grips with it from the get go. I work a 24 and a 16 overnite (weekends no-less). At first she complained that I was never around, and that we didn't get to see each other, and she hates my job, and I'm an idiot for working at a no-where job, and I'm wasting my time and my career, and.... well I could keep going. But eventually, she realized that I like my job. And eventually she realized that she has grown to enjoy the time apart. A couple of days apart from eachother a week has helped to keep the conversation going, prompted her to find productive hobbies, given her an opportunity to re-connect with friends that she had seperated herself from to be with me. I'm not saying that this is normal, or anyone should feel like they should use my relationship as a template... but I think that if you truly love eachother, and you truly care about the other's happiness, you will support eachother regardless. And if you attempt to find the positive in your situation and find a way to come out the other end happier and healthier.... more power to ya'. So what I'm trying to say is.... Respect your partner, and demand that they respect you, and all other issues should fall into place.

I know that people have already ranted about O2 STAT...... but I would like to share a little story. 3 days ago I'm in a local ER taking a patient to a SNF. All the RN's were busy so the ER Doc decided to give me a quick report. Toward the end of the report I asked about the patients recent vitals. He listed them off to me and then said, "and the O2 stats have been fluctuating, monitor them and keep 'em above 90%." I looked him in the eye, and said, "Did you just say O2 STAT?" He smiled and said to me without missing a beat, "I was just trying to sound like an ambulance driver." We had a good laugh and I took away their patient.

Pun intended?

When I was in college.... many moons ago... I was per diem at the same company I work for now. I was a business major, and I wrote a paper about the management/business pratices of major EMS companies. My professor almost made me re-write the paper because he thought I was being overly dramatic, because in his estimation there was no way a company, let alone an industry, could survive long term with those types of business practices. And since EMS has been around for a while, I must be exagerating. I'm surprized that this particular topic doesn't come up very often, because EMS is by and large, shoddily run, and badly managed by people who don't know what "management" means. Luckily for me, a fellow classmate happened to work in EMS as well and was able to corroberate my facts... so I didn't have to re-write my paper.

The problem I have with the NR is that there is just enough trickery and vagueness to create an inaccurate representation of the test-takers' actual knowledge. I believe that someone without any medical background could sit down at that test and stand a fair chance at "accidently" passing. I know there were people in my class that floated by with low 70's, that I felt were completely devoid of the book/street smarts to make a successful EMT. I also know some who had the desire and background to make a good EMT who got the same scores. I didn't feel that the test was an accurate portrayal of the knowledge and skills that are required to be an EMT. I think that in an effort to be difficult, the NR has created a sort of "puncher's chance," if you will, for most potential EMS providers. I would like to see a more representative test... but since I don't have to take it again.... what do I care?

I would have to agree with you on this one. I think it would be irresponsible of us to not transport in a timely manner when reasonable. This idea that enroute CPR is less effective is not exactly mind-blowing. Maybe we should practice in the same manner as the study indicated. In our Basic courses actually have a module of en-route CPR. Ride that stretcher... stradle that mannikin... Instead of throwing the practice out the window and staying on scene until you make the call, how 'bout get better at that particular skill. I'm sure that better techniques could be developed. If not... just buy everyone one of those thumpers pictured above. 8)

As an EMS provider, 2 things rank in my mind as the most important aspects of my job. 1. The safety of my partner, myself, and my patient. 2. Enough money to pay for my bills and provide for my family. (short-term) What is NEMSA going to do for either one of these issues? It is completely up to the personnel of whatever EMS agency you work for to ensure safety and quality of environment. What a Union can do for that? I don't know, and noone has offered any ideas. NEMSA cannot force AMR to buy newer, better, safer equipment. It is incumbant upon me, and my co-workers to make sure that we use our equipment and knowledge to the best of our abilities. In regards to pay... NEMSA has come up to the North-east with some outrageously high hourly wages that they have garnered in other areas. It looks good, and would look even better on my pay-check.. but is it feasable? Working for as long as I have in this particular system, and understanding the economic stability of AMR's current contracts, I can't see how AMR could afford to up everyon's pay by an average of 3-4 dollars per hour. If they were able to accomplish this, that would cause AMR to lay-off many employees in an attempt to break even. I would rather keep my job at my current rate, then be forced out of it because my new union shot for the moon. I did not get into this industry for money. In fact it was a complete mistake that turned into a career. I know that I could make more money in other sectors of business and society, but there is something about EMS that I have grown to admire. I also know that long-term employment in EMS is not going to lead to early retirement or trust funds for my kids. A couple more dollars from NEMSA really isn't going to change that. Change can be good, and I'm not advocating against NEMSA, but what really are we trying to change? What I'm gathering from this thread and many others is..... we are trying to change how we are viewed by society and the medical community. NEMSA can't help us there, only we can.

No.... but close......

OK..... great. Message boards and interest.... lovely. My point exactly. WHAT IS NEMSA BARGAINING FOR? That is the question that no one from NEMSA is answering. They are telling us about interest and programs for solidarity, but they are not telling us what specific ideas or issues that they are going to take up better than the last union. I (and others who seem to be confounded) am not looking to see another NEMSA brochure regurgitated on the internet... I'm looking for what their goals are, what their points of emphasis are, what will they be able to get into the CBA that the last guys couldn't get. Do they know? Or are they just creating a ferver with broad stroke political tactics? Again, I'm not against NEMSA... I don't know anything about them!!! They don't seem to know anything about themselves. I think that it's great that they are solidifying and improving support for their union in many areas, but I want to know what they are going to do with my support. It appears to me that they are simply creating a movement without setting specific goals for their specific area conquests. Each area, each sector, each region all have specific and unique challenges from one another. I am not a fan of cookie cutter thinking affecting my contract negotiations. Give me facts, and tell me how you plan to attack the specific needs of my local working area. Then you might get me to come along for the ride.

Would it be fast enough? No, 'fraid not. But nothing our government does is fast enough, but it would get done. We didn't get in after Katrina fast enough, but now we are doing the right things and everyone is getting fingered with their part of the blame-pie. And soon it will be just an unfortunate blip in our rear-view mirrors. We are incredibly forgetfull people. There would be a heck load of hubbub at first, but it would eventually get calmed down and the loss of life swept under the rug. Calous? very much so... I don't like any option that sacrifices lives, but how many have we lost already because the town couldn't get a crew together fast enough? I know it has happened in towns around where I work. Sometimes, not all the time, but sometimes, every second counts. No thanks on the root beer. I'm savin' for a Vodka, straight up, frozen, not stirred.

I drive, therefore I am....

More evidence that firefighters shouldn't do EMS. It's like seperation of church and state. We shouldn't have them together. Now if we could just get the firefighters to read this arti.......... oh yeah... firefighter don't read too good nohow. BTW, just kidding there, just threw that in for the guy reading this over my shoulder. (hint) he's a firefighter.

When AMR came into Massachusettes, New Hampshire and Maine several years ago they did take on many of the employees of the previous companies. In fact, we still have many of them still working for us now. Nobody is just going to come in and wipe out the status quo, it's too risky. They need the contacts and the local area knowledge that the previous entities have accumulated throughout the years. Usually the management teams will change, but many of the front-line employees will have an opportunity to stay in their current position.

If there was no one to volunteer to do the job of EMS, even the rural townships would figure out a way to get paid personnel to do the job. Rid hit on something that is the absolute lynch-pin of the matter. Supply and demand. When the demand for a product or service is high, supply is soon to follow. No, I repeat, No county, city, or township would forfeit their denizens safety because there wasn't enough coins in the coffers. If there were NO volunteers at all anywhere to do EMS or fire calls, do you think the Government would stand idly by and let the country slip into safety oblivion? I don't think so. New rules, new regulations, and yes, new money would be developed and appropriated as needed. There would be federal money coming out the wazoo if there was a revolt. We are talking about a country that spends trillions of dollars on frivolous programs and experimental ideas that never come to pass. If something as important as total lack of public safety knocked on the front door, the government would race to answer it. Also, no one is saying that EMT's in rural quarters of the nation have to be paid like MD's. Pay commiserate with economic and regional standards would be fine. I just don't believe that something as important as pre-hospital emergencies should be an un-compensated vocation. Not because volunteers aren't good at it, but because this field "deserves" to be paid. I agree that donating your time to the community is a fantastic, and worthwhile thing. But why not get paid for this particular service, and volunteer for something else? Go paint over some graffitti, mentor a fatherless child, go listen to some war stories at the local nursing home, pick up litter on the weekends, get involved with your local legislation. There are plenty of other excellent things you can be doing with your time that SHOULD be volunteer. EMS should not.

My point exactly. The pro-NEMSA guys are not giving any reason why NEMSA is a better choice. I know my current union stinks, and they piss money away like so much used water... but how can you prove that NEMSA won't either. I'm not anti-NEMSA, I'm anti lack of information. and the NEMSA people haven't given any.

With a mean income difference like that.... NEMSA will be lucky to make any changes in EMT compensation... or put the ambulance industry out of many jobs in that area. AMR or not, no company is in it to lose money. Massachusettes EMT's make about 2 dollars more per hour than New Hampshire EMT's. Cost of living is marginally higher, and in NH there are no income taxes. All of that type of information factors in to a regions compensation policy. NEMSA can't just hold thire collective breath until their faces turn blue and hope to get better compensation.

I think that if you answered this correctly that it only means that you have the "capability" to be a psycho-killer.... Not that you are, a psycho-killer...... I hope anyway.... the answer came so naturally... like it just floated into my mind.... and.....what? is that blood on my keyboard???????

I firmly do not understand anyone who would volunteer to do EMS without getting paid. Furthermore, I don't understand why the volunteers wouldn't want to be paid for their efforts. If your areas went with a paying service, you could sign up. If you already have a job.... sign up on a per diem basis. Keep your skills, keep the adrenaline boost, keep the "hero" status if that's what floats your boat. Volunteer departments are good people, they are doing it because they love it (for most part). Wonderfull... but there are people out there trying to make a living at this industry, and volunteer departments make it harder for people to find a paying job in the industry of their choice. I work in an area that has a lot of volly squads, heck, a lot of my co-workers on the private ambulance service I work on are volly's as well. I like them, I respect them.... but I wish they wouldn't volunteer. They drive their own value down (as well as mine). As for care, there are just as many private services with terrible care givers as there are volly squads. I don't think that on a whole, volly squad personnel are poor providers. But I do feel that their extended response times do cause there to be a delay in care, which can be worse than poor care. I love the volunteers, I'm friends with a lot of them.... but they make it harder for me (and others) to make a living and support my fledgling family.

Not to mention that the unions have a bad habit of ferociously defending those employees who are the constant trouble-makers and when a relatively clean slated up-standing employees with a real problem comes along, they don't resolve any of their issues. I doubt that NEMSA, or anyone else is going to change that fact about the unions. Hugo- it may be that they outline their accomplishments and "vision" for the future of EMS on their web-site.... but when you are courting a new area and the representatives that you trust to garner new support in that area are not familiar with, or able to intelligently discuss, the differences of the current union and themselves, it doesn't speak well to their organization. They might have a decent idea of where they want everything to head, but their organization needs to be tightened up and they need to clearly define what they're after. Not all EMS people are going to blindly follow just because a new union is reaping the benefits of their relative novelty.

You're right Dust... the question is why change? The answer is plain and simple apathy. Most are not knowledgeable enough about their current representatives to make a cogent decision. Those most vociferous about the change have perceived some misdeed done to them by the current union. All the others are just going along with it because they have no opinion of their own. Not a single rep from NEMSA could answer a questions about what they plan to change at AMR. Part of the problem is that AMR runs rampant over our current union (IAEP) and pretty much snubs their nose at many of the CBA agreements. NEMSA seems to think that they can reverse that trend... but I wonder. NEMSA.... it does role of the tongue better than IAEP.... I vote for NEMSA!!!!

NEMSA has been trying to garner support in the Northeast as well. They have come into AMR to try and wisk them away from our current regime of representation. I, and just about everyone else, dislikes our current union. We have no solid representation, but when NEMSA came up to present themselves, they did not acquit themselves well. When asked what they would do that our current union doesn't do, they basically ran around the question and settled on the tried and true statement, "well your union sucks." Well duh... Empty promises without spelling out the promises, don't impress me. But most people are so desperate for a change they'll take anything different. Be careful the Devil you don't know.... but then again, the Devil we do know sucks pretty bad...