strippel

It is not a bad idea, but I'd wait until your service is up and running. Where I work, we used to provide staffing. We ended up not making any money on it, and then phased it out. Good thing we did, because it became a scheduling nightmare. We also grew very rapidly then, and needed staff for our service. There is one hospital that provides the service (we call it pimpin'), but they are expensive. They provide staff to 3 BLS services, in addition to staffing their 3 non-transporting ALS units. Last I heard, they charged the employees base salary, plus 34% to cover PTO, workmans comp, health insurance, and administrative fees. You might want to check with the Green Meanies, as they now provide staffing in Chester County.

Current Lancaster County Status As of 2/25/2006 08:16:03 Active Fire & EMS Incidents There are no incidents active at this time. Traffic Related Incidents There are no incidents active at this time. Status is updated every 2 minutes. This page will automatically refresh. [web]http://www.lcwc.co.lancaster.pa.us/lcwc/lcwc/publiccad.asp?lcwcNav=|[/web]

As Asysin2leads states, it is very prevalent in cities of any size. Having a patient acting unresponsive is not uncommon after a fight or any good/bad family event. Many times, they are drenched in water. Sometimes with ice cubes, sometimes they are stuffed in their undies. I have also seen salt water used. It is wonderful when you slosh when you walk. I have been in houses with over 1 inch of water on the floor, which is a PITA when you attempt to check on your patient. There is another ethnic group who acts very similar, except they yell "oy oy oy", and cover their "unconscious" people head to toe in Tiger-Balm.

I would follow the MI or CVA protocol. It would depend on how his chest pain presented, and if you wanted to give him nitro and ASA. I think it is TNT. (as in nobody has more drama in the daytime than TNT)

That is why we don't do 24s. We have up to 16 hour shifts (maximum, 40 hour work week), and you must have 8 hour off between shifts, enforced. Even if you are working OT. It is not looked upon well if you are coming to work from another job. We are able to rest anytime, as long as the truck is clean, stocked, and paperwork is done. There were other services nearby that did 24s, and they now have stopped. Too many tired providers, and poor quality care.

I would have to go with Braun. I have worked in both, and Braun is by far the best. Up here in the Northeast, service is easy to find for Braun. I personally know 2 different Braun dealers, and trust their product, and them. Always available when you need them. A squad near here just bought 2 new Brauns, with the sliding door, NICE! The trucks are very sharp, with the LED light package and the underneath lighting. pimped out. The salesman even was proud of them, he works with me in our all AEV fleet.

We started using it back in November in PA. We now have that as part of a pain protocol, so we can give it without calling.

I would say no, but... We still have many suburban and rural (some very rural) volunteer services near us. They would not be able to respond without them, and there would be a long delay until staffed compensated services could arrive. Here in PA, even though the DOH states ambulances are to be staffed with a minimum of 2 EMTs, there are many that provide an ARC "Emergency Responder", or DOH certified "First Responder" as the second member of the crew, and driver. The service I work for has 1 First Responder on the payroll. He was hired as a wheel chair attendant, but does ride on a BLS truck from time to time, usually last minute fill in for call offs. I have ridden with him, and had no problems. He is also a full time 911 dispatcher, and a volunteer fire chief. He is well experienced, and trust him. Could I say that about others....NO! We are a (3rd service, hospital based, community, non-profit..yes, all the above) service, and we do have volunteers who are First Responders. They are a third on the crew, and help with care during transport.

We just received and ordered another new ambulance. Many of us asked to have the chevrons placed on the back. We were denied. One of our local fire companies has them on the back of apparatus. Ugly as hell. But it serves a purpose, and works. They did allow for much more reflective striping, to go with the new logo. One of our medics, who also sells ambulances on the side, suggested that all of the colors be made out of Scotchlite. Denied, shade was not close enough. Flashing amber LEDs have been added to the rear at drivers eye height. We also have new jackets on order, with some reflective striping included.

Back in the day... That is how I got started, many years ago. Grew up in Northern NJ, my best friend's mom and sister rode on the squad. When he and I were old enough, we rode along. That was back in the mid 80s. And we both still work in EMS. There should be plenty of places to observe, ALS, BLS, or both. If not, drive west. We always take observers.

From what I have seen on the Internet, no. Supposedly, BLS is provided by Exceptional Medical Transport out of Berlin NJ. Sorry, I can't find a web site. ALS is provided by MONOC (www.monoc.org), as by law it must be hospital based.

We had a long discussion of this on a local board. There were two bottom lines. First, there can very easily be a medical reason for the person being disturbed. This leaves the Po in a severe liability position should something go wrong. Second, EMS may possibly get paid for doing EDP transports (if the patient has insurance), the police never will.

So Richard, I am not paranoid? Am I? Far more people (usually the little old people, with blue hair and white gloves, can't see over the dash board) usually jam on the brakes while you are just driving around, with the headlights on. We frequently do not use lights and sirens. Our county (required of us by the state of PA) instituted the "class response system". Class 1 is ALS emergency, 2 BLS emergency, 3 BLS non-emergent. There are many times we respond to a class 1 cardiac w/o RLS. Why? Close proximity!. It actually takes less time for us to respond without RLS, than deal with the traffic problems causes with turning them on. And we very infrequently use RLS when transporting to the hospital (per company policy). Last 3 traumas, no RLS, and short transport times. Two of our past managers have moved on to positions either at major EMS insurance agencies, or at the DOH. They come back to visit, bringing info and videos that we are required to learn from.

OK, I'll Bite... What is your name? Chris When is your birthday? 6/26 Eye color? Brown Hair color? Brown (what is not turning gray) What nationality(s) are you? German Any piercings? No Any tattoos? No You have three wishes, what are they? Money, Happiness, Hot Blonde What sound can you not stand? retching Special talents? Not much What is the first thing you do when you wake up? make coffee, so I can read the calender to see which station I am at What is the last song you sang? either Sara Evans "A real fine place", or Gwen Stefani "Hollaback Girl", can't remember Do you play any instruments? not any more Do you know any random facts? yes, Pi equals 3.1415927 BE HONEST- Do you listen to show tunes? yes, but I don't own any soundtracks Do you want to go to college? yes Whats the first thing you do when you get home from work? grab a lager Is there anyone you are desperate to meet? no, but people I'd love to get to know better, If I weren't married Do you dance around your house when nobodys home? no, not even in my underwear Favorite quote? Bill Murray's speech to the mayor in Ghostbusers, "...cats and dogs living together...." Main source of exercise? jumping to conclusions, or the long walk from the parking garage to the office (I usually get stuck in the 'Pluto' lot, and missing the tram car Yay or Nay Diet Pepsi? Diet Pepsi TWIST! Kids? yes Bread? rye Hair cuts? short Hiking? not enough Black and white photography? yes Coffee? At least 2 large cups in the morning, WAWA coffee is best What C.D.s are in your stereo right now? Kelly clarkson, pink Guilty pleasures? yes If you had to eat one meal for the rest of your life, what would it be? cheesecake! Speak other languages? Spanish, but only at work Favorite song (as of right now)? Sara Evans "A real fine place" Favorite flower? doesn't matter Contacts, glasses, or neither? neither Hometown? North Jersey Favorite Drink? Yuengling Lager, nectar of the Gods Have you ever been in love? (depending on what your concept of love is) yes Have you ever been skinny dipping? yes Assertive or passive? assertive Sing in the shower? not often Any regrets? yes Do you swear? HELL YEA! Do you have any pet peeves? yes Favorite Ice cream flavor? chocolate peanut butter cup Member of the red light club? NO!

Everyone gets searched, or padded down. Voluntary, or court ordered. Preferably by someone other than me, an LEO or Hospital security. If not, they empty out their pockets, lift up shirts, arms, and legs in front of a witness (RN, someone not family or EMS). I think both LE and the hospital let you down, BIG TIME! Their staff, security, and county delegate (who ever was initially involved) should all be reprimanded. YOUR SAFETY COMES FIRST! I have taken away pocket knives and razors from behavioral health patients while they are being discharged from the ED, for transport to the psych facility. Also, psych patient belongings travel in the front of the ambulance. if possible, keep them in their gown, without shoes (if your ED does that). It's kinda hard to jump, or run away with now shoes and paper scrubs.

I'd gladly offer to be tased, if I could carry one on duty. Our Po just ordered them, so we will soon see them used quite a bit. Where I work part time, the police have had them for about 2 years. For being a nice suburban area, they get used....a lot.

We have had all kinds of chase vehicles around here. My service doesn't do chase (we assist other agencies using our MICUs), but we used to do it a lot. We currently have 2 Excursions and 3 Tahoes, along with a Subaru and a Chevy Silverado. They are used for supervisor and administrative duties. The other agencies in the county either use Tahoes or Explorers. In a nearby county (when they were hospital based, now they are Volunteer Fire Company MICUs) were using Impalas. Another county uses converted pick-ups (dog-catcher). We did a "study", and found we were spending way too much money on brakes. Because of that, and safety, it was decided to go with a bigger vehicle with strong brakes, the Excursion. The other vehicles included in consideration were those available through state contract. They were Tahoe, Cherokee, Expedition, Explorer, Crown Victoria, and Impala. We chose the Excursion because it had the room to put ALS, supervisory, and command stuff, as well as tow our MCI trailers. For starters, why don't you approach your local government, and have them "give" you one of their retired cruisers.

Yesterday, my partner and I did a shift at the rural station, instead of down town. We are both used to calls that take about 20 minutes from start to finish. Yesterday, got dispatched out of breakfast for a CVA. The local BLS failed to respond. 15 minutes later, we arrived. Husband wanted to know where the home town crew was, not happy when we told him we were from the city, and that his local ambulance decided not to show up. He then made a comment about not putting his wife "through all of this". Luckily, his daughter and a visiting nurse were there, and calmer minds prevailed. Did a brief assessment, got her on the litter, 02 and monitor. Got in the truck and headed for the city. Traffic was very heavy, so we used RLS (we don't do that in the city). About 3 minutes into our 35 minute ride, my partner looks up front and states "what do I do now?" He had finished his assessment, did an IV, checked sugar, etc. Spent the next 30 minutes attempting to talk with the patient (unable), and checking BPs.

I have to reply again, because I got a new truck. 2005 Chevy Silverado crew cab 4x4, with the tow package. Now I can tow the camper without worry, and make it to work in the snow. The employee discount was very nice.

NYC? Most dangerous city? How did they run those numbers, the same way you run SSM and unit utilization hours? All numbers can be juggled. 8) I was beginning to think that my city is more dangerous. Multiple stabbings and shootings this past weekend. Glad I was on vacation.

Back when I lived in NJ, you needed approval from the mayor or police chief to run a blue light. But that was many years ago, and the other end of Morris County. I got rid of my blue light years ago. Didn't use it, didn't need it, didn't want it. I am now paid, don't need it. My wife still volunteers and doesn't want one. Now, here in PA, there are too many people with red and blue lights. They cause confusion with the driving public, and too many people use them as an excuse to drive fast. As UASF said, if you go to the scene, then use it as traffic warning, and control. Here, we have fire police who are allowed to use red lights and sirens. I don't understand why.

Not allowed to use them. My wife is an anesthesia tech, and is very familiar with them, from the OR. One command Doc around here is pushing the DOH to allow them for BLS, but I don't see that every happening. Our nursing education facilitator (the nurse responsible for keeping the OR staff current with training) wonders why EMS would be interested in LMAs. She states CT and ETT are much better and safer.....

Change it to 14 in 12 hours, and it sounds like us. 8) AJ, you will have to remind me about that one. Was it VPS/the Morphine Queen, when you covered for me last week?

I went with Mercy, only because I've been there, and know people who work there. I have heard good things about the others. In the south east/central part of the state, we will (probably) be getting 3 new Level III centers. I am not excited or happy. Both the patients and I would be very happy just keeping our current Level II and I nearby.

In PA, electronic PCRs are required. We've talked about getting them in the trucks, especially for the transport crews, but...it would probably be bad. The program runs through a secure internet connection. I've used a couple of commercial programs which were ok. The one we use now (EMSTAT) is tolerable. At my part-time, we use a different one. It is made by those people who make the best EMS billing software, and sucks big time. We used to have our own PCR program, written by our IT guy and approved by DOH. That program rocked!