Lessons to be learned from the Fire Service

[WolfmanHarris]

As many of you are aware, EMS in Ontario is almost entirely single role third service (some services are shared admin; none are dual role), but that doesn't mean there aren't Firefighters who are also Paramedics (second job). At my service we also have many combined bases and work a bit closer with the local FF's. In dealing with the Fire Service I've found myself drawing a few cultural comparisons between the two professions, and all ribbing or outright bashing aside, I think there is some room for discussion on lessons EMS could learn from the Fire Service.

1) Care for vehicles and equipment. I have a huge pet peeve with medics who don't check the truck at the beginning and clean the truck at the end of the shift (provided there's time), don't properly check and prepare their equipment and generally take a cavalier attitude to care for their vehicle and equipment. I think there's some modelling here to copy.

2) Health and Safety. It only takes a quick perusual of a scene watching a Fire crew working to see how much time and attention is paid to this. Every FF that shows up at a medical call (as First Responders) in my area has proper PPE. Vehicles always have a backer. This committment is far from universal in EMS, leading us to take unnecessary risks.

These are my two big observations for discussion; feel free to disagree or add your own. Obviously all departments are different, but let's try not to make this anecdotal about how "Fire in my area doesn't" or "My service does all that all the time." I talking about the prevailing culture in two professions as I've observed them.

Besides, the next topic I've been milling over is: "What do we need to copy from the hospital/clinical setting?"

[P_Instructor]

As many of you are aware, EMS in Ontario is almost entirely single role third service (some services are shared admin; none are dual role), but that doesn't mean there aren't Firefighters who are also Paramedics (second job). At my service we also have many combined bases and work a bit closer with the local FF's. In dealing with the Fire Service I've found myself drawing a few cultural comparisons between the two professions, and all ribbing or outright bashing aside, I think there is some room for discussion on lessons EMS could learn from the Fire Service.

1) Care for vehicles and equipment. I have a huge pet peeve with medics who don't check the truck at the beginning and clean the truck at the end of the shift (provided there's time), don't properly check and prepare their equipment and generally take a cavalier attitude to care for their vehicle and equipment. I think there's some modelling here to copy.

2) Health and Safety. It only takes a quick perusual of a scene watching a Fire crew working to see how much time and attention is paid to this. Every FF that shows up at a medical call (as First Responders) in my area has proper PPE. Vehicles always have a backer. This committment is far from universal in EMS, leading us to take unnecessary risks.

These are my two big observations for discussion; feel free to disagree or add your own. Obviously all departments are different, but let's try not to make this anecdotal about how "Fire in my area doesn't" or "My service does all that all the time." I talking about the prevailing culture in two professions as I've observed them.

Besides, the next topic I've been milling over is: "What do we need to copy from the hospital/clinical setting?"

Not saying the the fire service is the best, but one particular reason on how you view these items is 'manpower'. Fire services usually have 3-4 members for each rig where ambulance services typically have 2, and some 3. Most of the time for backing a rig, the ambulance team is understaffed and are providing their specialty, patient care. There is no excuse for not keeping your ambulance clean and stocked, but again, view this as a potential staffing versus time differential. Ambulance companies handle many more calls and this cuts the time down on cleaning. Just a couple of ideas. I do agree that when ever possible, your ambulance should maintain a clean appearance and should be stocked and ready to go. If at one point during your shift work, it becomes totally soiled (usually inside, but outside can count also for visibility), you should go out of service until this is taken care of.

[dystorteddream]

Not saying the the fire service is the best, but one particular reason on how you view these items is 'manpower'. Fire services usually have 3-4 members for each rig where ambulance services typically have 2, and some 3. Most of the time for backing a rig, the ambulance team is understaffed and are providing their specialty, patient care. There is no excuse for not keeping your ambulance clean and stocked, but again, view this as a potential staffing versus time differential. Ambulance companies handle many more calls and this cuts the time down on cleaning. Just a couple of ideas. I do agree that when ever possible, your ambulance should maintain a clean appearance and should be stocked and ready to go. If at one point during your shift work, it becomes totally soiled (usually inside, but outside can count also for visibility), you should go out of service until this is taken care of.

I completely agree. I started off in private EMS, and am now in the fire service, with EMS response. There's nothing more infuriating than coming in to shift and finding your ambulance a complete pig sty. I've even had produce left inside of an ambulance once... and by produce, i mean a melon. Which begs the question, why on earth would you want that in your truck that can't always get sterile and has had god knows what squirted, smeared and sluffed off in your ambulance. It just comes back to ownership and accountability. But it is hard to have then when working private EMS, especially if you have difficult management. But getting your own cleaning supplies for your rig shows a lot of pride in your equipment, and it's a tax write off! Show up a few minutes early and check your truck out. Spending a couple minutes before shift is definitely better than getting to that MCI and realizing you don't have 1/3 of the equipment you NEED.

Also having your equipment and cabinets properly labeled is a wonderful practice to get into. Especially if you have extra manpower ride along with you for those certain calls (CPR, major trauma, etc) There's nothing more difficult than trying to tell someone where a certain supply is when you're busy trying to maintain an airway, doing chest compressions, or wound management.

[HERBIE1]

In order to understand the fire service, you need to understand a bit about organizational culture, history, and how it relates to the fire service industry. Remember, the fire service was always a dirty and highly dangerous job that paid little and had few if any benefits, but over the years evolved to what it is today.

First, as with any long standing profession or organization, certain established traditions and norms are passed down from one generation to the next. Some of it is functional- ie serves a purpose, and some of it is simply the way things have always been done. The hazing/indoctrination usually involved with new members, much like the military, is designed to reduce the person's identity and ensure they adapt to the group. New hires are called probies, candidates, rookies, FNG's-every department has their own vernacular, until these folks are deemed worthy of being accepted as part of the group. For obvious reasons, this bond and trust is needed- they depend on each other to keep them safe.

Thus, the group must know they can trust the new member and that new person proves their worth by performing menial tasks, working hard, and keeping their eyes and ears open. Everyone participates in the shared duties, but a new guy/gal is expected to be the first to start working- polishing brass fittings, washing and waxing apparatus, maintaining tools, doing the dishes, etc- and the last one to stop. What they learn from their coworkers is just as important as what they learn in their formal firefighter training. Eventually, members feel a sense of pride in their career, their company, and the department they work for. They learn that everything they do reflects on not only themselves, but more importantly the reputations of everyone on their department- past and present. The fire service works as a team in everything they do-station chores, drills, training, and especially when fighting a fire. Once someone "passes muster" and is accepted into the group, the tradition is passed on to the next new guy.

The longer any organization exists, the more culture it develops. Any company that has been around for a long time has an established and recognizable identity. Think of major corporations like IBM. It used to be known as "Big Blue", everyone dressed similarly. What about Wells Fargo- their traditions date back to the 1800's. Obviously things change, and some traditions are updated and discarded, mostly for financial expediency.

Yes, much of this process is ritualistic, but it does have a purpose. Are there other ways to become a part of a group- sure, but barring any better ideas, this process will continue for the foreseeable future in the fire service.

Can EMS learn from the fire service- yes, if we are willing, but we also need to stop making unnecessary comparisons to the fire service. Problem is, it will take time to develop the same history. In the grande scheme of things, EMS is still young. Traditions are developing, but as we know, it is a constant battle for pay, benefits, recognition, autonomy, and respect.

I know it's not a popular opinion, but I don't know if we will ever develop to the point where we become the fully functional, independent entity we want to be. The trend is for EMS to be incorporated into another group- not the other way around. Many times I think we spend more time worrying about outside influences, and factors we cannot easily control, then we do developing our own sense of identity.

In today's world, everyone is being told to do more with less, and since so many areas have already absorbed EMS into the fire service, it's pretty hard to go back from there. I suspect the changes we seek will have to be done from within such an overarching framework, which will not be an easy task. Optimally, we should continue to be proud of what we do, become the best professional we can, and do what we love to do. In many cases, we know that is a very difficult assignment, and fighting an uphill battle, but then again, nobody got into this business to get rich and retire early. LOL

[crotchitymedic1986]

What we can learn from Fire:

1. Learn how to use your EMS job as just your "benefits" job, while you earn your real money at your private business.

2. Watch porn at work and fart on each other.

3. Dress like a landscaper.

4. Learn how to hide your latent homosexual tendencies (if your painting some rooky's penis with hydrant paint, or making the rookie go naked for some reason or another, I am sorry, you are a homosexual.

[HERBIE1]

What we can learn from Fire:

1. Learn how to use your EMS job as just your "benefits" job, while you earn your real money at your private business.

2. Watch porn at work and fart on each other.

3. Dress like a landscaper.

4. Learn how to hide your latent homosexual tendencies (if your painting some rooky's penis with hydrant paint, or making the rookie go naked for some reason or another, I am sorry, you are a homosexual.

Never done it, had it done to me, or even heard of this one before, BUT-

I have to say, I'm 100% hetero, but this is DAMN FUNNY!

LMAO