jw-c152

I disagree with all of the posts that say "Dock them the pay." Shit happens. People are going to bump curbs. It's a cost of doing business.

In Ontario, a firefighter can not drive an ambulance either. In order to drive an ambulance in Ontario one must possess what is called an 'F' Class license - so all paramedics in the province have this F license. Firefighters (usually) do not possess this license, and although the licensing requirements to drive a fire truck would be more stringent, it still does not allow for a FF to drive the ambulance. Most calls, in my opinion, do not require two paramedics in the back, but in instances where it is required and there are no other paramedics (from another truck or response vehicle) then police officers are allowed to drive. Even though PD does not have this 'F' class license, the Police Services Act of Ontario allows them to drive any type of vehicle in the performance of their duties. If we just need an extra set of hands to perform CPR compressions we will often take a FF along in the back to do that. John

Check out www.emshonourguard.com for information on the "Alliance of Canadian EMS Honour Guards." They have lots of useful information to share. John www.ParamedicPipeBand.ca

Tylenol

10-4. Didn't read it like that, but that makes sense.

I would be surprised if a CFL game was a volunteer post. I'm sure they service is being paid to provide coverage for the game. I am not from BC and therefore am not certain on this... however, the area I work in has an international speedyway and 'Mosport' pays my service (quite well, I might add - somewhere in the neighbourhood of $185/hour last I heard) to ensure there are ALS units there on every race and practice day. A lot of the major sporting events in Toronto (Maple Leafs, Blue Jays, Raptors, Toronto Football Club, etc.) as well as special events all hire private first aid companies to staff their events. In the event of a 'call' they call Toronto EMS on 911. Not the same, I know, but still shows that they are paying for the service as well. However, if you are correct that BCAS medics are volunteering to staff the CFL games then that should change.. But I somehow doubt they do. Cheers, John

Announcing the Ontario Paramedic Pipe Band! The mission of the Ontario Paramedic Pipe Band is to support Paramedics and promote Paramedicine. We will help honour those who give their lives in the service of their communities. Our band is brand new. At this point our main goals are to spread the word of our new band and raise funds to purchase instruments, uniforms, etc. Our primary method of spreading the word is by our new website: www.ParamedicPipeBand.ca. We are still in need of band crest/logo which can be used on either the website and/or uniform. If you are in to graphic designs and would like to help us out (we currently have no funding so would only be able to offer our sincerest thanks) please contact me at john@paramedicpipeband.ca In the meantime, I invite everyone to browse our site - www.paramedicpipeband.ca. Like the band, our website is a work in progress. Regards, John Paramedic - Durham, Ontario, Canada

The whole event won't be broadcasted, however there will be media coverage. I'll post what I can here following the event. John

The 2009 National Paramedic Competition (Canada) is being held this month on March 28th, 2009 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. Check out our website at www.paramediccompetition.ca In the area? You're welcome to drop in! Registration is complete and we have a full compliment of Advanced Care, Primary Care and Student Paramedic teams - 36 in total! Banquet tickets are available for purchase on the website under Events. Hope to see you there! John Lindsay Chair, National Paramedic Competition comp.chair@paramediccompetition.ca

The National Paramedic Competition (Canada) will be held on March 28, 2009 in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada. 2009 marks the 7th annual event hosted by the Durham Paramedic Association. Paramedics and students compete in one of three categories - Advanced Care Paramedic, Primary Care Paramedic or Primary Care Paramedic Student. Check out the website at www.paramediccompetition.ca for more information and photos/media coverage from previous years. International teams are welcome to compete as well. You can also email me for more information: comp.chair@paramediccompetition.ca Cheers, and Happy New Year! John

So was she supposed to stand there and watch the driver burn to death? Even though she wasn't giving NTG for chest pain as she is trained to do or some other skill she is TRAINED to do, as you put it, she was doing her job by serving the public and saving that persons' life. BECAUSE she was performing her job and the specific act mentioned was not a normal situation we see in our job every day, she DEFINITELY deserves to be recognized. I take my hat off to her for being someone who has the courage to do something out of the ordinary to help her fellow (wo)man.

This is one of the safest Air Ambulance programs in the world (see the stats in the post above). But accidents will happen...

Yep, used it on Friday.

Did these patients in wheelchairs require spinal precautions??? If not, using the KED seems a bit odd to me in this situation. Why not just pick the patient up and move them to the stretcher? A nice fore-and-aft lift works nicely.

My guess is that the guys sat at the computer at the firehouse and put this together for themselves.