Janmarie3

And how many heads can we count that we have peeled off the highways. If people saw what most of us have seen...I bet they'd put that helmet on. I had terrible dreams after my first one.

The "you" in your statement isn't "me" is it? If it is, then in all actuality life isn't easy anywhere a person lives no matter what they may do for a living. But what makes it different or maybe even a little easier is the attitude that a person has about his life. If you go around blaming everyone from God to politics to wages etc... as being that all decisive cause of how life is for you...then well honestly, it will never change. The way I look at it is that these medics in Calgary are taking matters into their own hands to make a difference for themselves and others who will come into the profession behind them. They are over worked and maybe by taking responsibility and going through with this, and getting what they are striking for, wages go up and becomes more attractive to others to get into EMS, There won't be a shortage of hands and over worked medics. I think it is about time that EMS is considered a vitally important asset to every community and should be treated as such. And sometimes a city has to be hanging by the balls before they finally "get it." In the agency I worked for, we ran 2 counties. We were stationed in Kootenai county but only 2 miles from Benewah county, we covered that part of the county as well. Kootenai county is where all our funds came from and they were paying out for Benewah county. Benewah county gave out nothing to help us with the costs of taking care of their citizens. Kootenai county decided to pull back funds for Benewah county and in the end, it cost us "out of pocket" and to much to run it so we had to pull out as well. We didn't want to but it came down to that if Benewah county couldn't pitch in funds for the better of their citizens, we couldn't cover it ourselves. It didn't take long for Benewah county to comply and start granting us funds to keep running their county. It is a sad thing for the citizens at first, but when the Mayor of the city and commissioner of Benewah county had their "balls to the wall," He changed his attitude about our importance real quick. I think that if the mayor wants to be re elected he is going to have to satisfy the needs of the citizens of Calgary. I don't think he is going to want a public uprising because of it and from my experience working inside city hall, the phones will be ringing off the hook with angry Calgarians wanting to know why Grandma didn't get a ride to the hospital.

I agree with you Ruffems, it is sad.

Must really suck to have that kind of attitude. There is more to my life in Calgary and don't worry, I am not after your job. Hope the rest of your day is better :-)

I am assuming because of the oil boom, not only has the dollar become almost equivilent to US dollar, but has also caused the massive growth and increase in the COL. What is it now? 95 cents to one US dollar? And looking into the possibilities and options of crossing the border, the wages and cost of living would, at best, average out to be the same. Northern Idaho itself is going through a massive growth spurt and cost of living is getting higher. Maybe the strike, if it happens, would be a wake up call to the world that EMS anywhere is a very valuable profession and should be taken more seriously.

Wow, what EMTs and paramedics are paid in Canada just blows me away compared to what is offered here in the States. My friend in Calgary just told me about this strike, so I will be paying attention to the developments and outcome of it.

In all seriousness every level plays an important role in the system. How important is really up to the individual. I have seen so many basics, especially in a BLS service become to complacent and think they know it all already. This in my opinion is when they become useless to the patient and society and basically useless to the medic. I have to get to work, but basically I would encourage that your education not stop at the basic level. Learn more!

The only time I have ever seen two medics on an ambulance together is when one is being trained and trying to get all his requirements met and then is shortly released on his own with his own medic rig. Course that was backwoods country style, perhaps in the cities there is a need for two ALS providers on an Ambulance.

"Unshorn" doesn't that mean "Unshaven?" Hmmmm well that counts me out of the unshorn enchanted ones :-)

There is a law in physics that states: for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, what we resist, persists. Judging, berating, criticizing, and complaining are all forms of resisting. And it sticks like crazy glue. Basically nothing will ever change or get better if all we do is resist reality. What I can say about this subject, what ever you are, an ambulance driver, life guard, first responder all the way up to the very top of your game.....do your job with EXCELLENCE, live in the moment and never lose yourself. Never losing yourself is the most important above all, especially if you are a woman but it also includes men in this profession as well. Something happens to all of us when we choose to live this life. With all the better then thou attitudes and constant complaining about one thing or another.....we forget who we were when we started. As a women our greatest power lies not in competing with or trying to be like men, but embracing our natural and womanly strengths of compassion, enchantment and tenderness. We are intuitive healers among a lot of other things, we are remarkable beings in many aspects, not just on the battlefield. I was at the top of my game in the agency I came from and I realized how much it had changed me as the person that I was when I started. I took a step out of it and away from it to be able to bring myself back to me. And in doing this I realized that we are all okay. Underneath all the illusions of worry, anxiety and the belittling of our own selves and others are all mental constrictions called up by our minds to distract us from the terrifying truth that underneath it all . we're just fine. Relax, embrace your own okay-ness and your dreams will surge back into your hearts and your spirits are free to soar once again. Without so much of your energy tied up in imagined neuroses, we have the time and energy to re-engage with our purpose and once again make a difference in our world. The world needs us no matter what level we are at. We have a purpose and hiding behind a fictional story that you are broken or not good enough or incomplete because someone else said so...is not it. The world needs that very special something you knew you had when you first started. Balancing yourself out is the key to unlocking your full potential as a human being. Follow as much as you lead, comfort as much as you command and never forget who you are.

Thanks for the website and just to give an update on this adventure of mine. I will be visiting Calgary within the next two weeks to see for myself what will be required and my options. This is getting so exciting and my goal is to be in Canada full time by Fall. With the passport thingy being waved because of the long waiting time, all I have to do is show my birth certificate and proof that I applied for a passport and I can scoot across the border without having to actually wait for my passport. There couldn't be a better time to get things in motion then right now. This is so awesome :-)

Getting my foot in the door is the first step in this journey. Even if I would only be qualified to work as an EMR. The experience alone would be awesome even if its a bit boring...but the cool thing is one does not have to stay at that position. I would be working on the next step up the ladder while doing it. So far things are looking pretty good and it gets more exciting the more I look into it :-)

This just popped in my mailbox as I was writing that last post. An answer to one of my emails to a Canadian ems service. If anyone is interested. Thank you for your enquiry regarding reciprocity of training and the ability to gain employment in BC. Individuals who have received training outside BC may apply to have their training recognized in BC by completing the four forms located at the following URL: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/ema/oop.html. In addition to the forms located at the above URL, applicants with training from outside Canada will be required to complete two competency packages. The first will compare your training to the National Occupational Competency Profiles used by the Canadian Medical Association for program accreditation. The second package will compare your current and past work experience to the scope of practice profile in British Columbia. If your training is from outside Canada, please contact this office to request these additional forms and provide your full name, address and phone number. Once your forms and transcripts are received in this office, they will be reviewed by the program coordinator to determine what level your training is equivalent to in BC. You will then be required to complete an examination/evaluation. Information regarding Paramedic Qualifications and Human Resources Offices for the BC Ambulance Service can be obtained from the BC Ambulance Service website at the following URL: http://www.health.gov.bc.ca/bcas/careers/ If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact me. Susan Slemko Office Manager, EMA Licensing Ministry of Health PO BOX 9625 Stn Prov Govt VICTORIA BC V8W 9P1 Phone: (250) 952-1199 Fax: (250) 952-1222 mailto:susan.slemko@gov.bc.ca Public Site: http://www.healthservices.gov.bc.ca/ema

Yes :-) I was told this topic was around here somewhere....thanks for replying though. I don't mind starting over since I am not a paramedic yet and haven't invested 2 years and then some in the US paramedic course. So for me as an advanced EMT I don't mind the extra training plus the experience......I think it would be exciting and I am still young. I researched schools and sent out some emails for further information.....I also found some funding options for Americans studying in Canada/Mexico/ My goal would be to get into a school by this fall. Thanks :-)

This might be a strange question. But how difficult would it be for an American EMT to be able to work in Canada? I supose I'd have to start all over and go through all the training for Canada's standards. I was looking at Calgary's EMS website and the training hours isn't much different then ours....6 months for basic and 2 years for paramedic. Has anyone moved across the border and went through the training and working as in EMS in Canada? And if so how hard was it to get in and get hired?

There should be better budgets put into place and in most cases there is. But even with a good budget there are still many challenges. The rural and private operations face many different challenges then a state run agency, or bigger city with higher volumes. It would be hard for one to totally understand these challenges if not directly related to it. And believe me, the bake sales and boot drives really don't make up for a whole lot of the expenses. Just as with being an EMT, I was never in it for the money...what money? But for the people just as I am with this. Thanks for your comment though :-)

That is all great if an agency can wait for what drizzles in after 60 to 120 days. But if you have worked closely with your billing dept. You can see Insurance companies are giving you less pay. Not to mention the complexity of the billing process, the coding and rules that create very long payment cycles. An Agency takes what they can get, they have to, there is no choice in the matter when dealing with insurance companies. But also one thing I have come across is that when dealing with the coding. It doesn't match up with what is actually in your books. What I mean is....you could be getting less from the insurance companies then you actually think you are getting. Insurance companies are designed to protect the patient. Which is great, at least there is something coming in for the agency. But sometimes it isn't enough or it isn't when you need it the most. You have to except what they will give you....where is the rest of your due money going to? The government? The insurance companies pocket? And for what? What has the insurance company done for you that you should pay them the percentages that they take away from you? And then turn around and make you wait for it? You are basically financing the insurance company. What drizzles in from the insurance companies could be given to you in one complete payment. You don't have to guess when you will get it....you don't have to guess at how much you will be getting. And it isn't something you have to do every month unless you need to. Most cities and counties have a 911 tax, or a percentage of their property taxes going toward EMS. But here again you fall under the waiting game and you only get what your county allows you to have, that is split between every other agency in that county. Not one Agency is getting that $600.000. There are the hospitals and trauma centers, Dispatch centers, police, fire, Air transport companies, etc...and if its a big city with many ems agencies....there really isn't a whole lot going to the ones that need a new Ambulance, a new stretcher, more supplies, fuel bills and so on. Ever see one of those shabby looking ambulances coming through your town on their way to the ED? Yeah, those are the ones I am talking about....the forgotten ones. There are counties around here that a paramedic is forbidden to go into because that county won't pay or grant anything for EMS. The County the Paramedic is coming out of won't pay him to go into the other county. So what does that do for the people who need a paramedic in that county? They suffer for it. But just as there are many financing potentials out there. You have to pick the one that fits your need the best. If you don't need it...then there isn't a need for it for you. Those that do need it....it is here. :wink:

Here is a website grfundingsolutions.com This is pretty much about the whole wide world of what we finance. The medical health care portion is not so detailed at this time because no one else had a passion for health care the way I do. I am currently working with them to add more to that portion of the site. But they still have a heart of gold and want to help finance the EMS and health care industry. A lot of things have changed since the 1970's, mostly the legal aspect of it and we abide by all state legal aspects. And like I said we are licensed to purchase and finance. This isn't for everyone and some agency may not need our help. That is great. But some do and that is why we are here.

Understanding your concerns and we all have asked these questions. We have licenses in all states to fund the medical health industry. There is no problem there. I do encourage your research though. I have done plenty of it. No offense taken... Unlimited funds is the ultimate truth that is why I claimed it....I have over 160 financiers who are wanting to help the health care industry. So when I say unlimited....it truly is unlimited. The thing about buying account receivables is that it isn't a loan, it isn't something you have to pay back like you would if you received a loan from a bank or lending institution. The accounts have been bought, you have been paid up to 85% of your total accounts within 24 to 48 hours. This is a one lump sum check that allows you the ems agency to do as needed to build it up and keep it running strong. We take your accounts upon ourselves and our billing company takes over. We can afford to wait 60 to 120 days, most agencies and private health care providers can't. My main goal is to help EMS and the medical industry because I feel we are taken for granted and not just by the government but county and state do not realize how important we are to our communities. Where I worked as an EMT we were cut $25,000 in grant money from our own county. That put a huge strain on keeping us going. That was when I took it upon myself to search out different ways of getting the funding that we needed. I found so very few and unless you have an excellent, creative grant writer, trying to get any kind of grant from other sources outside ems is next to impossible. Check out how much money was granted to ems by your own state. It is sad. Now a state run EMS service is much different then a private or non for profit agency as far as what they allow and what they don't. An agency who does their own billing and has to wait 60 to 120 days for payment is very hard. The monthly expenses for that agency are paid late, the agency may have a line of credit with a supply company which is good, but also has its limits as to how much credit they give to an agency. So when there is a bigger demand for the agencies services....the line of credit remains the same. There are many types of factoring available to many types of contracts and notes out there. From morgages to life insurance policies. We love to help finance the small business owner because they are the heart of America. We see it dieing as more big corporations move in and shove the little guys out. It is no different for the health care industry. Thanks for your comment though, I encourage more input. Especially from those who have taken advantage of factoring account receivables.

Hi :-) It's been awhile since I have been here. I think the last time I was here I was an EMT basic. Well now I am an EMT-Intermediate. Yea!!! But I currently quite my Ambulance service and moved to a bigger city. Still in Northern Idaho but finally out of Podunkville :-) I took a different career path. I love EMS and it is truly in my heart and blood. I love being able to give back to the community for the so many of my teen years where I took from it. Long story but very interesting non the less. I am in the process of writing a book about that. Anyway......I took on a different approach in the EMS world. After being in this field for 4 years, working my butt off 96 hours a week and working very closely with the ins and outs of it. (Not that I know everything) but what I did experience was the hardship of trying to keep an Ambulance service in operation. Especially small, rural, private ambulance services. Trying to get grants are a pain in the arse and so many that we applied for were denied for what ever reason....not a good enough reason as far as I am concerned. Trying to staff volunteers was a challenge because they all wanted paid. Not that I blame them at all. This industry is in such high demand that one should get paid for doing what they do. Putting up with what they put up with. But we all do it anyway....God bless the volunteers out there. I saw and still see this hardship and the many challenges that all aspects of EMS is faced with on a daily basis. Funding is the big one and it is hard for a volunteer service to get a bank loan, which only solves the short term problems such as buying equipment, if one should be so lucky and be approved for a loan. But it doesn't solve the ongoing recurring problems that we face. Lack of funds....... When I was researching grants for EMS and what was actually given out to this priceless service, I was appauled. Very little was given to us. Guess where most of the government grant money was given to? It makes me to mad to even say. Not only that but having to wait 60 to 120 days to get any kind of money from Medicare, Medicaid and 3rd party insurance companies is bogus. Plus these insurance companies have put into place strict compensation guidelines. Basically telling us that we will recieve less money for our services and we have to wait longer to get it. That just totally sucks!! Some Ambulance services can't afford to wait that long. Operating expenses remain the same or become higher especially when fuel prices sky rocket. We still have to pay our employees, office rent, electricity, phone, etc... Plus our medical suppliers. For some EMS services this threatens thier ability to stay in business. Since EMS is my life and I know some of the needs and concerns that we face, I wanted to do something to help keep this much needed service running strong. So what I have done is involve myself with helping the EMS service with funding problems and found a solution. Yes there is this awesome solution to keep our EMS service in business and growing. :-) Many services have already taken advantage of this funding solution and are growing. I wanted to let you all know about it because I can't find any other way that I can be of more help to the industry that I love so much. I have access to "UNLIMITED" money for EMS, trauma centers, medical offices, medical supply companies and so on and I want to give this money to Emergency services who need it and need it now. Have you ever heard of factoring? Factoring is a very simple process of selling your invoices or account recievables. What this does is provide you with advanced payment on your outstanding accounts, medicare, medicaid, etc. You get the funding you need and we wait for the insurance companies to pay us. We can afford to wait. This provides the EMS services with an ongoing financing and relieves the stress of a struggling EMS service of not knowing when or how much they will get paid. Medical recievable factoring allows your EMS service to sell their claims and recievables to me. I buy them at a small discount and pay with emmediate funds to help EMS meet their business expenses. By giving this money to you, you can concentrate on expanding your service and never have to worry about waiting for your money ever again or trying to write the perfect grant proposal and get denied anyway. You can factor or sell as much revenue as you can generate making this a great financing tool to grow with this extremely high demand industry month after month. I hate calling it an industry because it sounds so impersonable but that is what it is.. This is the best funding solution that I have found, and believe me I have researched for some time now for funding for my own service. This was the one that we didn't have to worry about getting loans that have to be paid back, or get denied for grants. We had such a hard time getting a grant for those hydraulic stretchers. We were only granted one and we needed two. It's just not right...EMS deserves better then that. If you would like to comment on this I wouldn't mind...if there is a need in your service, please let me know. Share the challenges that you face in your funding research. I want to help in anyway that I can to see to it that EMS is properly funded. Just call me the "Human ATM machine." I have unlimited funds to give to EMS. If you think this could help you, just leave me a message with your email address and I can explain a little more about my new venture in the world of EMS :-) Oh and Admin, if this was inappropriate to write this here, please let me know and maybe you can give me some insightful ideas as to how I can get the word out that I have money...lots of money...unlimited amounts of money to give to EMS. Thanks, Janmarie

I'm a firm believer in "Personal Safety First" but I also know that in the heat of the moment if you have the ability to save a life you will go beyond the call of duty to do that. If the media is correct on this I would say he was definitly a hero. At least he is to the women he pulled from burning vehicle. A mother will have her child and the child will have its mother because of him

Monster_Medic Can you be a little more spacific on what the Aunt did that caused the board to make her step down? This might help others to judge if this is a grudge against you...or if the agency itself can't support a medic.

Awesome job of teaching your class!!! I bet you are so proud of them. Say are you available to teach EMT-I? Congratulations

I agree...science is an awesome thing and very interesting and fun. And a lot about the dinosaurs is still being theorized...like their extinction. Where as before it was an ice age that killed them...now its a meteorite. Which I'm believing more of the meteorite theory...because even the bible says the stars will fall from the heavens in the last days...so what happened then will happen again I believe. I wish I was more religious but I totally fall short of what is expected of one...that is why I'm so glad that there is forgiveness for people like me

I thought about getting a light and siren for my vehicle because it is so hard trying to get across the highway to get to the ambulance building...I never go POV to an emergency because I don't want to have to leave my precious truck anywhere. But one of those lights that you can put on and take off would work great for me. I wouldn't want anything stuck on the top of my truck permanently