Niftymedi911

Yeah those are pics from the truck being completed in Columbus, Ohio by Horton. That pic was taken in Feb. of 07.

Ruff, where these crew members from Ambitrans Transport Service??? Sounds a lot like them. We hold the only CON for 9-1-1 and Ambitrans runs all of the NET's to MD's office and nursing home vists. I have never seen them run code in the 3 years I've been round EMS. Most of them fill postions there because they cannot pass our new hire testing or credentialing. We really don't think down on them. Most of the time we strik up good conversations about things on the road etc. But I just couldn't imagine never lighting up in 3 yrs. I would do everything it would take to find a job where my skills could be used in more of a manner that they're intended.

We have a couple of Sprinters, they're like sardine cans inside. I'm not quiet sure which model your talking about but the walls slop inwards about 2 feet from the frame upwards. I'm 6' and I have trouble even walking around to reach things. Not to mention my knees are the in patient's face because of the bench seat and position of the stretcher. I've done long diatnce transfers in them (which is what we use them for). I spent 3 hours in the back one way and will never do it again. My legs fell asleep even sitting in the captains chair. Not enough room. Give me a Type I Mod anyday. Our Medium duty trucks by ALF are a complete waste of money. They come with all the bells and whistles including Federal EQ2B sirens so they are nice, but ideally not applicable. I love these and wish my agency would switch all of them instead of just the island trucks: These are the monsters we have now:

I work for a 3rd service and there are obvious problems and there is also very good feedbacks from people. Most of the fire-based agencies in the county are ALS non-transport. With tax cuts here in Fla. everyone's trying to justify their budget. The FD's want to take over transport. They argue that it's their due right to transport. But in reality, they want, want, want but never can justify the want. They all view EMS as a cash cow. Just as much as 3rd services do inter facility transfers, there cash cows and easy, guaranteed money. There is 1 private service, where all the medics and EMT's who cannot get hired on with us go. They do the NET's (non emergency transfers) to MD's offices etc. We do all of the ALS/BLS hospital to hospital, long distance or within Lee County transfers. A majority of (78%) the fire/medics who work for the 17 ALS FD's have actually come from the county run service. They're all skilled, highly trained. We do get along with everyone fine with the exception of Cape Coral Fire/Rescue. They build fire stations and raise the rent for EMS to house a truck (close to 5k more just because) just because they know that the response is needed in that area. They continually try to stir problems with us. They have they're own dispatch center, separate from the county's so delay in dispatching an ambulance relies on if the communication dispatcher forgets to call our dispatch for an ambulance. ( It has happened many times before and we get the blame for not responding fast enough). We're the sole 9-1-1 ALS transport provider of Lee County with a population of 650,000 full time residents and over 3 million during snowbird season. Call volume for 2006 was 74,996 and in 2007 we're getting close to be around 80,000. Average call volume per 24 hour truck is anywhere from 5-10 per shift. Busiest units run from 10-20 calls per shift. We have at this time 28, 24 hour trucks and 6 12 hour peak load trucks. Bene's are second to none, I'm in for 25 years and retire from the FRS with 85% for the rest of my life. Which by the way I'll be retiring at 43 with 3 retirement funds . Medical, dental, vision 100% paid for with prescription drug coverage, 12 paid holidays, PTO, sick and vacation leave etc. Salaries are nothing to sneeze at either. The big problem with our agency are the old timers who do not like change and want to hold our agency back. There are not a lot of ways to promote besides the typical ladder from EMT>Medic>FTO>Lt.>Captain>Chief>Director. Our shift captains continually are biased who they give OT assignments to. Admin is always looking for new ways to try and show the road crews that they're not doing a good enough job. example: Performance indicators ( offload times, response times, PCR uploading and compliance, Skill evals). they spend too much time running on tax payers expense everywhere else in the country for "new ideas", without fixing the ones already arising.

I used to always think you guys hated me...... because I was a whacker Thank you for those kind words Dust : I knew you were messing with me. So anyways, yea MESS I mean EMS has its ups and downs

Dust, Why did ya have to bring me into this?? ( It's ok I forgive ya ) Perhaps let me let you all know EMS isn't fun & games to me anymore. I know I balantly put it out there that I was one of the biggest EMTCity whackers out there. (maturity does come with education, as I'm 3 months from getting my AS degree finally and hpefully will be working on my Public Safety management Bachelor's!!) If someone would walk up to me and ask me if I was proud to be associated with LCEMS. I would definately say yes. Am I proud to work alongside some of the nation's best EMT's and Paramedics? Your darn right I am. Am I happy to work for LCEMS, yes and no, its based on how much admin wants to piss me off while I'm on duty. Do I like being reffered to as a FF? (No harm guys) I hate it. It's like calling a a security officer at the mall a police officer. I'm not a fire monkey who likes to play with hoses all day. Do I love what I do?? I put my heart, mind, and soul into every call. Am I proud to wear my uniform in stores, to county commissioner meetings, pretty much anywhere, yes. Aside from the fact that we're often confused with either fire or security b/c of our light blue smirf shirts. When I went to previous conferences, last one in Orlando, FL. I happened to finally get exposed to other angecies, different practices, and different products (outside of my Lee County bubble). I was proud to say where I was from. Here's my rant about those bad apples: The administration here only thinks about themselves, what is in it for them. Example: Our E-PCR software was purchased only because it eased billing and administration operations instead of making the program help the crew. Shift Commanders are completely biased when it comes to handing out OT assignments. I was recently passed up for an assignment because I "gave him an attitude" over the phone when I called to request a vacation day because it was my wife's and I 2nd year anniversary. The EMT that got the assignment has been here less than 7 months, I'm going on three years Nov. 17. The union we have is a joke, there is no unity within our agency and ranks. Our trucks are massive and a complete waste of money. A Ford F-450 type I mod works just fine for me. The good couple of things: We do have good Equipment (stretchers, laptop computers, CPAP, IVAC pumps, etc) We are a very medically driven agency. We have very progressive medical protocols, with a medically diverse and one of a kind medical director at the forefront. A freedom to practice medicine, meaning if your a cookbook medic (as I am starting to learn not to be) this isn't the place to be. Your challenged on a daily basis. (As everyone is every single time they answer the page or tone for service). Salaries and bene's are top notch Thats about it.

All ambulances are ALS and we're the single provider in Lee County: LCEMS: They are called "Medic" They start at Medic 1 end at Medic 43. LCFD's: Each department was assigned a number 10-200. Like for example San Carlos FD was assigned 50. Meaning SCFD sta 51 is Engine 51, Rescue 51, Truck 51, Brush 51, Medic 9. Sta 52 is Engine 52, Rescue 52, Medic 33 Lehigh is 100. Station 101 houses Engine 101, Rescue 101, Brush 101 and so forth. They're talking about re-numbering our units to match the FD's station and so forth. EMS used to be separate from FD on dispatch. We would have our own talkgroup and separate station tones and FD would have South and North talkgroups. Lee County has a new radio system is operation. All LCFD and LCEMS base station radios are set on Tac 1 also known as the alert channel. We're toned out simultaneously. EMS tones and then FD tones drop for Medical calls, and FD toned and then EMS for Fire calls on Tac-1. The Alert dispatcher (The Alpha Dispatcher as we call it ) then assigns either Tac 2 (North Operations Talkgroup) or Tac 3 (South Operations Talkgroup) to the responding units. The units then utilize that talkgroup for the remainder of the incident. Whether it's to call for updates from Lee Control or to talk with FD about who's in command etc on a MVC or HazMat call. Once the incident is complete all units then switch back to Tac-1 where the unit monitors for future assignments while returning to station. ( closest units respond, EMS or FD). Now if there is an MCI or any further incidents which require a separate tac channel, it is requested and then assigned (Tac 5 through 25). A separate dispatcher will then monitor that Tac for emergency traffic.

Lee County EMS responded to 74,996 calls in 2006 and is projected over 80,000 for 2007 LCEMS has 238 field personel with 28, 24 hour trucks and 5, 12-hour trucks Urban enough?

"Got Chest Pain?"

If ya ever think of moving to Florida....... www.lee-ems.com/ems/default.htm Lee County EMS covers more than 1,000 square miles with 34 Advanced Life Support ambulances, two twin-engine helicopters, two ALS non-transport units, and on-call bicycle paramedics. 74,996 calls in 2006. LCEMS participates in High Risk Florida Retirement System (FRS). 25 years and your done with I think average of 80% of the last two years of your salary. Know a guy who just retired, worked for 27 years and took home a 1.2 million dollar retirement sum from the state. Medic's start @ 52,000 /yr EMT's start @ 44,860 /yr Pay is negotiable based on years of experience.

"EMS Earn money while sleeping" "Be nice to us, We've got drugs that kill you in .045 seconds" "EMS---PMS"

In order for us to accept a transfer, a signed waiver of necessity must be signed by the MD. Spenac, I'm not dissing you or trying to play dumb but can you please clarify how we're robbing tax-payers money when we're providing a service in which no on else in Lee county can? And when I mean IFT's I stating only transfers from hospital to hospital in which most are a mixture of ALS and BLS. The rest are handled by NET companies. We don't touch them. I also want to add we are starting a taxi voucher pilot study sometime soon( unknown when). For those stubbed toes at 3 am or the fractured 5th digit finger from a trip and fall. It has been talked about immensely in the past few months.

Lee County EMS currently has two (2) primary work shifts: 1. 24 hours on / 48 hours off work shift beginning at 0700 hours. 2. 12 hour work shift on a 3 days on / 2 days off, 2 days on / 3 days off in a rotation for 48 hours on one week and 36 hours the following week. Shift times are 2000-0700, 0930-2130 and 1030-2230. Starting pay is open to negotiations based on verified years of EMS experience. All hours worked past 40 hours in a given week are subject to overtime pay per FLSA. 24 hr Employee's are based on a 56 hr wrk week. EMT minimum pay range is: Salary 24-hour schedule: $13.38- $19.67 Salary 12-hour schedule: $17.84- $26.23 Paramedic minimum starting pay is: Salary 24-hour schedule: $14.78- $21.73 Salary 12-hour schedule: $19.71- $28.97

The county I work for is primary 9-1-1 response and all inter-facility transfers within Lee county. We are currently in the process of setting up the different divisons within EMS for Lee county. Division I: ALS primary 9-1-1 ( I want to see dual medic units) but Admin wants Medic/EMT response. Division II: Inter-facility BLS transfer division. Dual EMT units for non-911 transfers. I personally believe this is the only way to keep EMS, EMS without showing people were a taxi. The NET's ( I think close to 18 different transport companies in the county) cover the rest of the spectrum... no wheelchair vans for me.. Reguarding IFT's if its going to keep my paycheck coming and a job every shift to work, I'm peachy But that doesn't mean I'm completely happy with it either. I really want EMS just to be EMS without the BS in between. The IFT's are our cash cow. Last year for 2006 we collected over 4.6 million in user fee's from Lee Memorial Health System (the only hospital system in Lee County) for the transfers. We're in the do everything we can mode so the county doesn't cut us due to budget cuts. EMS last year had a budget of 22 million. We re-couped 15.6 million of that 22. We have a very aggressive billing department. We outsource our billing to ADPI Processing.

Medium Duty Medic Masters by American LaFrance 2002 Freightliner FL 60 Extended Cabs (24) 2005/2006/2007 Freightliner MB2 Business class Extended Cab (21) 2006 Horton Custom Type 1 Modulars Ford F-450's (2) 2000 A.E.V. Custom Type 1 Modulars Ford F-450 (2) 2004 Freightliner Sprinters (2) 2007 Model: Oldest: Sprinters: Ford's:

...see we need each other. Like I said wouldn't it be easier to just combine IMERT, DMAT, MRC, FEMA, CDC and any other state groups out there. One source for dispatch, one source for protocols, one source for equipment, increased logistical support, and better communications on scene. See, that would just make too much sense....... come on did you really expect that something like this could be done?? Someone likes their fat paycheck too much..... wouldn't ever let it happen. Much like here, the fire chiefs and their "kingdoms". They will fight to the death to keep from consolidating.

Have you missed me yet Dust? It's been a while since I've been on the boards. I must advise I do not have the experience or the knowledge that most of you on here have so I apologize if I might also seem narrow minded. Getting back to the replies, Dust isn't the number 1 priority in anything we do is ourselves? Securing scene safety (to make sure we don't get shot at?), BSI, CISD, and the like. Scold me if I am wrong but I though that was everyone was taught? Thank You

What a narrow minded comment. But never the less it is your opinion and I respect that. EMS I personally believe should be part of public safety. I personally believe in order for EMS to grow out of its dark ages it has to start looking into morphing into different aspects of the field. Tactical, Hazmat, Confined space, extrication the usual. But like with the FD, what about active seminars for public education? Not just for simple bullcrap, this is what we do and this is our truck. No, No, what about injury prevention with elderly, active seat belt awareness drives, (LEO does this with tickets, why not try doing it with some of the stuff we deal with everyday? Photos and the like) the Hang up and drive campaign thats going on down here. How about check ups with previous patients etc. I'm sure this has been argued before so I won't go very much further. Yes, our job is written in everything as treat and transport to hospital. But thats why we're in the predicament that we're in now. Just like the FD morphed, so EMS needs to.

Dude thats completely messed up, but given that your in NYC and there are thousands of EMS providers in the area its hard to trust everyone. You gotta do what you gotta do. What ever happend to the patient being by law competent to refuse care no questions asked? Anyway, I got one to beat ya all........ Responded unknow distress on the outskirts of our zone (anit it always like that for the high priority calls). The dispatch info stated U /F / U U (unknow age female, unknown conscious, unknown breathing status) 3rd prty rec'd from alrm Co. Heard "hissing" noises in background. Second update "Heard grunting noises in background with no voice contact" Third, "possible cardiac arrest". Foruth, "front door unknown if locked" Finally, 12 min later (turned out to be REALLY outside of our zone) we get there. Door was locked as well as all hurricane shutters on windows. PD finally shows and tried the front door and just stand there. "yep, its locked". I was thinking "well no wonder why we're just standing here you dumb idot". Anyway, finally gained access and found no one home. It turned out the cat tripped the base alarm and when the cat heard it go off and voices it started hissing and grunting. I guess the alarm Co. though maybe V-fib seizures or the last breath (sometimes heard as a hissing noise). NE way, went 10-8 (available) and went back to station.

EMT-B's in Lee County, FL start at $13.38/hr for 24 hr shifts, which equals out to approx $45,000/yr (56 hr work week). It also has full benefits package. EMT-B's on 12 trucks make like $17.76/hr approx $45,000/yr. Paid training with a shift friendly in house EMT to Paramedic promotion program. Starting salary is negotiable based on experience. Medic's start at 14.76/hr for 24 hr shifts, approx $52,000/yr with full benefits and $19.00/hr approx $52,000/yr for 12 hour trucks with full benefits. Starting salary is negotiable based on experience. Paid trainging and CE's with monthly inservices and progressive county-wide protocols.

There are two counties on the west coast of FL that are seperate from FD. Collier and Lee.

Mid afternoon had a patient code in the middle of a store. Worked it, called it, and roughly 40 minutes later was driving code with a post arrest. I've been talking with my mother on the phone when the door bell rang. Went to the door answered it with no one there. Closed it and sat back down. The door bell rang again with again no one there. As I shut the door the metal ceiling fan fell directly where I was sitting from the ceiling approx 10 ft up in the air. I had a dream about watching the news while I was sitting on the couch and saw Dan Rather talking about "the most unimagineable thing to ever happen to the USA". I woke up about 3 seconds later and shrugged it off. 2 weeks later 9/11 happended and deja vu, its was Dan Rather on the TV screen. Responded 9E1 for a man down. UEA, found young male face down in bed. Called it after having 3 presumpted signs of death. Anyway, SO was there doing report and asked me a couple of questions. I was in the room with the deputy when he asked me if I located the persons license. I was staring right at the deceased when he lifted his right arm and pointed to his desk. Still no pulse. Wallet was sitting on desk next to a keyboard. To this day I cannot fathom or explained what happened that night.

My agency has 2 shift schedules 12 hr and 24 hr shifts. The 24 hr shifts are split into A, B, and C shifts, they start at 0700 and end at 0700 the next day these are the primary shifts. We're paid based on a 56 hour work week. 24 on 48 off. Maximum amount of hours is 48 hrs on (24 reg pay/ 24 OT) in a rolling 72. Any hours over 40 is OT. We get 2 120 hr paychecks and one 96 hour paycheck at base not including OT. 12 hr shifts are 0700-1900, 0930-2130, 1030-2230, 1900-0700, 0600-1800. 2 on / 3 off //// 3 on / 2 off rotation. On average most trucks run anywhere from 6 to 14 calls a shift in a 24 hour period. There are 3 island trucks which average one or two calls per shift and those are split between the sectors as "R&R" stations. Manadatory is paid double time OT and if we have worked 48 in a row, we cannot be mandatoried to staff units.

Air ride trucks aren't THAT bad. I'm having trouble understanding your question about the compressor??? The compressor should run 24/7 and "purge" (hissing sounds) when the air tanks are filled to a pre set PSI rating. If your refering to the frequent "purging" of the system, the mechanic should check it out. More then likely there is water somewhere in the system. The dryer component of the system should keep the water out but if the truck sits for a while or the filter hasn't been changed, it usually does that.

YOU ARE 14% WHACKER!!! WTF????? I own a Littman, have 1 desktop scanner, no lights or stickers on my POV, I dont wear my uniform off duty, I have one EMS shirt that was given to me for a parade I was in when I drove our new rig in it, how does that add up to 14%?