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Rescue0ne

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  1. So...he would no longer be able to work there, due to losing some certifications? Nevermind being found guilty of sexual "whatevers" with a minor. -5 points to the Assistant Chief. -1 to me for not keeping up with EMT City's forums. Sorry, I know this thread had dust gathering, but I just now ran across it, and was surprised that no one else picked up on it and called him out
  2. The private service I work part-time for has an issue that's somewhat relevant to this thread. Our local Level 3 hospital often requests an ALS ambulance for a patient transfer that is going out with no more than an INT in place. No cardiac monitoring, no meds, fluids, etc. Nothing at all. This means you're taking an ALS truck out of service (basically) to do a BLS transfer, when your EMT's at the station could easliy handle it in their sleep. It would be one thing if there were mitigating circumstances, but there almost never is. Just an INT. They are currently trying to educate the nurses on this matter, but one must tread carefully in the world of Convalescent EMS. That's right, it's the nurses that are ordering the ALS, not the Docs.
  3. Mobey: Holy Crap batman!! 15 weeks...no wonder they call it a Paramedic SPECIALIST...Special indeed! (the darn "quote" function didn't work properly) Additionally, remember how Iowa does EMS. Intermediate-99 equivalents are "Paramedics". Paramedics are "Paramedic Specialists". I really don't get that, but to each state their own.
  4. 15 week Paramedic Program?!?!?! Is that start to finish, or are you required to be an EMT-BAsic prior to enrollment? Just curious...
  5. Good luck with this dillema. One thing you may want to take into serious consideration, is when choosing a Medic Program, try to find one at a learning institution that will honor as many of the classes you have already taken, as possible. When I went through the course, it was 5 semesters long, with a 2 full day final exam. As with most halfway decent Paramedic Programs, it is an Associates Degree progam, which meant I needed English, Math, Sciences, Humanities, Electives, etc. It would be beneficial, on your part, to make sure that as many of the classes you have already taken, as part of your BA, are acceptable for which ever college you attend for your Paramedic Program. Otherwise, you'll end up sitting through English 111 again, or Advanced Basket Weaving, etc. I had to take a PE class AGAIN, as well as a computer class...and I already had an AS in Computer Science. Be careful when choosing a Paramedic Program. There are many out there that only care about $$$, and tend to graduate half-a$$ed Paramedics.
  6. Point! This is the only one that I've really had any interaction with, other than at the state level, so it was rather new to me, initially.
  7. Same story, different state. There are people in my area of Virginia that try to justify a volunteer ambulance showing up with just a driver and EMT on board, (because of staffing issues)and transporting them to an ER. "At least they showed up, it's better than nothing", ie: nobody showing up at all. WRONG! It's that mentality that is killing our patients, as well as the profession. If you're satisfied with that kind of prehospital care, then move to NJ, or wherever the state considers that crap to be acceptable. Myself, personally, would rather wait a few more minutes for qualified EMS providers, than allowing "Granny the EMT" and "JoePlumber the Driver" to transport me ANYWHERE, let alone an ER. Too often have I heard, on my portable radio, the following ecerpt of a radio report; "...complaning of sever chest pain, rated a 9 on 1/10 scale. Patient is on 3 liters O2, by nasal cannula, resting comfortably. vitals are within normal limits. We're about 5 min from your facility". So...no ASA, no assisted NTG, not even High-Flow O2???? They didn't even request an ALS intercept from an agency with available ALS. How is a brand new EMT-Basic going to know what in blazes is considered normal vitals? SEVERE CHEST PAIN! No 12-lead...not even a 4-lead! ST elevation...what's that? Our county has a new Emergency Manager, and she is taking a very close look at the volunteer EMS folks. She has already placed one agency on "probation", just so happens that the agency in question is the one mentioned in the paragraph above. I'm looking forward to what will happen next.
  8. As much as I feel the NREMT was established because someone wanted to create a job for him/herself, I do like the idea of national EMS standards. Maybe the NREMT isn't the agency to regulate them...that's for our elected officials to decide. I know I'll give my congressman an earful when it comes time. Here in Virginia, there are five (5) levels of certification in EMS. First Responder (changing to EMR soon, I think.) EMT-Basic EMT-Enhanced (Soon to be Advanced EMT, think NREMT-I/85) EMT-Intermediate (NREMT-I/99) Paramedic At the Intermediate & Paramedic levels, first time testing candidates must successfully pass the NREMT exams before Virginia will grant the candidate a certification card. Afterwards, it is the candidates choice to maintain their NR certification or not, however, Virginia does not require it of them. What I don't really understand, is...why not do it at the EMT-Basic level as well? I don't know, but it's a double standard to me.
  9. I'll have to co-sign what some of the others said previously. It's best if your local departments agree to a plan beforehand. At present, an MVA/MVC in my area, it's broken down like this. Fire Department - Fire Suppression/Extrication/HazMat/Traffic/ALS First Response Volunteer EMS (Crew/Squad/Etc) - BLS Transport (ALS Transport w/ an FD ALS Provider on board) State/Town Police - Law Enforcement/Accident Investigation If County EMS is available, however, they become primary EMS. They have no other responsibility on the scene other than that. If the incident is a very prolonged one, Virginia DOT has a contractor that will arrive and take over traffic control, freeing up the FD for other activities. Hope this was at least a little bit useful. FYI: The "Code of Virginia" states that at the scene of an MVA/C, the senior Fire Officer on scene is in overall command, with EMS & Police doing their own thing, of course.
  10. You are SO right. This is one of the issues my county is dealing with right now. We currently have an oversight commission in place to regulate the various agencies, which are all seperate entities. A plan is in motion to "strip" the FD & Rescue ambulances and unite them under an "EMS Authority". Like you said, part-time is not professional. What if I was a stripper part-time? That's certainly not my profession. Even if I was an MD or DO, and only worked in that capacity part-time. That still wouldn't be my profession. I'm a medic. That is my profession.
  11. Thank you, Spenac. I usually do try to back up my opinions with factual information. As we all know, there are those out there that are bound and determined to hold on to their little fiefdoms of volunteerism, for whatever self-serving reason they may spout off about. There ARE those who believe that they're volunteering for the right reasons...and in the past, this may have held true. It's only now that alot of us have begun to realize that all of it has held back the profession for years, me being one of them. Additionally, I've been on the receiving end, lately, of several volunteer EMS agency leaders trying everything they can think of to keep their agency from being "shut down". In reality, they are so easily replaced. We have ALS trucks readily available, staffed by EDUCATED professional paramedics. Yet these BLS agencies feel that they should be allowed to remain operational. Why? I suppose because it will leave a gap in their lifestyle? Who knows. Additionally, who cares? I have hobbies that are non-EMS related. I'm sure they can find something to do with their sudden influx of spare time. Either that, or go to school, become a paramedic, and apply for a paid position. There's just too many people in Volunteer EMS that are in it for themselves, not their patients, nor their community. This is MY main reason for opposing Volly EMS. That, and the fact that, for some reason, my daughter is bound and determined to become a paramedic when she graduates from high school. I really would like for her to be able to earn a living wage in the field of EMS, if that's what she insists on doing with her life. Personally, I'd rather her get her BSN, or go Pre-Med, but she's hard-headed like her old man. :roll:
  12. What exactly is rural EMS? I began my journey into EMS when I was a teenager. The county we lived in had 2 stop lights, no major supermarket chain, no fast food chains, and it was 45-60 minutes to the closest trauma center (which happened to be a level I). I consider that to be rural EMS. Additionally, that trauma center was also the closet facility that was worth a crap. Yes, there was a small community hospital 30 min away, but they killed more patients than they saved, due to lack of quality ER staff. At present, I'm now 30 min away from a level II trauma center. A level I is being built soon, 10-15 minutes away, on the very edge of our response area. I'm loving this fact, primarily for the patient's sake...but also because we'll save alot on fuel expenses. I no longer consider myself to be a rural medic, more like a suburban medic, I suppose. Heck, it'll cut down on the number of times I call for the helicopter, if nothing else...which isn't really that often to begin with. I've forgotten the point of this post. Anyway, in my opinion, anything more than an hour away from any type of trauma center should/would/could be considered "frontier EMS". I'd like others opinion on this matter.
  13. The Rangers of Texas DPS wear regular cloths, with their small tiny little badge pinned to their shirt. How about a small little badge-type device with the caduceus on it? Worn with slacks and a solid colored shirt, with a tie, if necessary. Who knows. This is a topic that can & will drive us out of our minds, if/when the time comes to universalize our uniforms.
  14. I realize I don't understand the way things are done in Canada...but for a provider to be a "Paramedic", and not be allowed to initiate IV therapy? Is PCP the same as an EMT-B? I realize this is sort of off-topic, but I'm really curious.
  15. In reference to that video from PA...are they really that hard up for EMS providers that they had to resort to a crap video like that? As stated above, all that going to do is attract "wankers" who are mesmerized by the lights & sirens, and will treat EMS as if it's a video game. "Oh well, the patient died because I forgot my drug dosages & gave to much morphine. I'll just hit reset, and wait for the next set of tones, and do it all over again!" Chalk another one up for the Anti-Professional EMS Movement.
  16. getting back on-topic... As some of you may remember, once upon a long time ago, I was the biggest PROponent of Volunteer EMS. I had all the excuses..oops, I mean reasons, why volunteers were needed. Whether it was because of my area, or manpower, or whatever. Now, they WERE valid reasons, in my eyes. However, it still goes back to the standard line & verse... Volunteers are not professionals. You may conduct yourself professionally as a volunteer, but this does not make you a professional. Nurses are professionals. Doctors are professionals. PA's & CRNA's are professionals. Depending on education, Paramedics may be considered professionals as well. Why? They are educated at an accredited institution, they are LICENSED, and recognized by the public as professionals. Additionally, say you're a plumber, or an electrician. You also volunteer as an EMT on your local rescue squad. Your profession is PLUMBER, or ELECTRICIAN. Not as a Volunteer EMT. A profession is what we do, career-wise. What we get PAID for. Not what we do in our spare time. Certainly, nurses and doctors volunteer their time, whether it's at a mission for homeless/indigent, or overseas in third-world countries. This is far different than hanging out at your local EMS clubhouse, swapping "war-stories", gossiping, using it as a dating service, or worse. ( I know that not all vollys do this, but it holds true for a ridiculously large part of them.) Until the time comes when we all wear the same uniform (whatever it may be), staff the station/ambulance 24/7, are respected and recognized by the public at large as an essential, PROFESSIONAL service...then EMS will continue to be the bastard child of Public Safety (or Health Care). As an alternative, if volunteers would restrict themselves to "rescue" services, such as SAR, Extrication, etc., and leave EMS to paid/career folks, then maybe we could agree to disagree. Maybe. It IS true, however, that as long as folks are willing to do it for "free", then there will never be a unified movement to establish true, professionalized Emergency Medical Services at the career level. There are many arguments about this, but the fact is, my guys and girls are paid less because there are folks/agencies in the area that DO do it for "free". This is not debatable.
  17. Some volly agencies in my area "reimburse" as follows... BLS - $75+ / shift (12hr) ALS - $100+/ shift (12hr) They did this to address manpower issues. Everyone there actually has a fulltime job, they sign up for shifts on days off, etc. The agency doesn't take out taxes, rather they give them a 10-99 form at the end of the year. The stipulation is that you must "run" 2 shifts per month non-reimbursed, then any shifts after that during the month are reimbursed. It seems to be working for them, as they do get their shifts covered, and covered well. I'd just as soon see them go full-time paid, rather than mess with the reimbursement stuff. It has to be a real PITA for whomever has to keep track of it. But yeah. In my opinion, they're volunteers.
  18. Count me in, tentatively. I'm awaiting my syllabus for school still, but I'll more than likely make it. Hi again folks, btw.
  19. I've been saying this for years, but my wife just rolls her eyes, and says I'm too intolerant. I mean, these people are consuming oxygen that we productive members of society can use. What's up w/ that?!?
  20. Ooh Ooh, I have a question. Coyote, who is in charge of hiring at your agency? Is it a typical Human Resources type setup? This is the way it was at my agency for years. All they cared about was filling slots on a rig. The HR Manager wasn't even an EMS provider. They might have had a CPR card...but if so, it probably wasn't up to date. Two years ago, the HR manager was kicked loose, and the Office of Recruitment & Retention was created. Since then, we've definitely seen a huge climb in the quality of providers, EMT & Paramedic alike. What Dust said about the MD is too true. I saw it happen not long ago, the OMD didn't like where things were headed, and unfortunately because of a union, his recommended changes were not instituted, so he pulled out, and took his license to practice with him. I'd like to say that the agency in question woke the heck up, and did what was necessary...but they didn't. They looked around and found a half-a55ed doctor that would sit up & roll over...for a price. I'm really sorry about the conditions in your county, and I pray that management does come around soon...for your sake, as well as that of your patients.
  21. Richard B... How is the overall situation with FDNY & NYC*EMS these days? I know they're all one department now, but I don't think I'll ever be able to accept FDNY taking over EMS.
  22. EMS isn't exxactly a public safety service, although close...but neither is it a health-care profession. While I am an advocate of education vs training, and support a 4 year paramedic program...I've yet to see anywhere in VA where EMS isn't a semi-public safety service. My agency operates like one, and does so with large success, as do many others throughout the state. While I'm certainly not an opponent of hospital-based EMS, currently they'd not be able to keep up with us out in the rural areas. Good thread, I'm looking forward to hearing more.
  23. By all means, write it up... How many patches on your uniform shirt? Do you even wear shirts on duty? Dp you wear a badge/shield with your regular duty uniform? Do you have a flashing LED or strobe warning light for your personally owned vehicle? How old are you? What is your level of EMS Training/Education? What other Fire/Rescue certifications do you possess? Etc so forth.
  24. As shameful as it is to admit it, Virginia is definitely in the running with NJ for the top spot. Not that there aren't alot of good, quality Paramedics & Intermediates in VA, but there IS an overabundance of "whackerism" as well. Where did that term come from anyway? I prefer "wanker" myself. In VA, volunteer warning light use is definitely out of hand. Red is the assigned color here, btw.
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