What role does/should EMS play in rescue?

[jafo]

I have to make a comment. Just as a Proctologist is fairly useless on an Emergency Medical scene because he/she lacks training in the field, so would EMS person would be useless at a technical rescue for the same reason.

It's simple: work to YOUR level of training. If you are trained in vehicle extrication, you KNOW you need to have the proper PPE on before you begin. If you don't know, don't guess.

Our department does both, and both groups train together ALL the time so they know the strengths and skills of each other.

Incidently NFPA reccomends that all Technical Rescue Specialists are Paramedics as an ENTRY requirement to the training. Standard rope rescue technique (in the course I took) teaches that the first person over the edge is an EMS person to do an evaluation. But of course, that person needs training in both disciplines.

I keep teaching my people this all the time. do not do what you are not trained to do. Always do a risk assesment. "At all costs" is foolhardy and shows a lack of training, self control, and experience.

Get the training and learn what you don't know, because it is what you don't know that will kill you.

Be safe,

Jafo

[unknown]

Eagle Scout

Honestly though. I am all for EMS workers being prepared. There is nothing wrong with being trained in rope rescue or other specialties. The thing is though, YOU HAVE TO GO HOME. We have to realize when the effort is futile. Risk alot to save alot, risk little to save little.

Impressive Brentolie

[Richard B the EMT]

On both sides of the issue, would anyone disagree that generic "Rule One" of rescue is, "Never do anything that will result in YOU ALSO needing to be rescued!"

[spenac]

On both sides of the issue, would anyone disagree that generic "Rule One" of rescue is, "Never do anything that will result in YOU ALSO needing to be rescued!"

Richard on here I just bet somebody will.

[unknown]

On both sides of the issue, would anyone disagree that generic "Rule One" of rescue is, "Never do anything that will result in YOU ALSO needing to be rescued!"

Ohhh but but but..

Darn it you take the fun out of Damsel in distress that way!!!!

[GBFDEMS174]

I think EMS should be there on a rescue scene just incase the Pt dose need more care then a FF is trained to give i mean EMS could be there for C spine reasons and depending on the situation a medic unit would be nice to have on standby so yes they need to be there no matter what the situation especially if its a person that was crushed in a trench of some sort ( Yes my company has been dispatched out to that situation )

[Asysin2leads]

Despite the constant need for glory and attention, unless there is a specific and unusual need for EMS to be involved with the rescue they should be standing clear in a safe area, particularly if they do not have the proper gear, which should be standard turnout gear and a helmet.

If a fireman puts his shoulder out on scene, well, its a bunch of drama and someone takes his place. If a paramedic does the same, its not so much drama, but someone doesn't get intubated.

[craig]

Slightly off topic, but can you explain that a bit better? Do you mean that each person is fully trained in each area you mentioned above, partially trained in all, or trained in one specific area only?

Sorry to mislead you

in nsw ALL ambulance rescue officer are trained to the list levels and more but the FD and the volunteer squads do not have to be trained to such an extent and therefore dont not have all the same level of training that the ambulance service does.

the state govt rescue registration board sets the MINIMUM level required and most services vol or FD/ police meet the minimum level required for the area they are in but the ambulance service stated that all of its trained rescue officers should be trained to the highest level available and that they should be able to carry out any rescue that is required and not have to wait for another response to attend because they are not trained to that capability. ie the volunteer squad here is not trained to SCBA foe confined spaces and does not want to do the SCBA training but is willing to carry out confined space rescue

hope this clears it up a little

[emt4909]

There is room for EMS in any particular field of study provided that EMS providers receive the proper training. Now, it is important to understand the full rescue situation. If you are not acting as a firefighter for the day, don't try to be the hero to put the fire out. As a medic, I would not start extrication "with an ax" without the fire department there unless patient care was being impeded by a long response time from the fire department. If the patient needs "lifesaving intervention", then I would do what was necessary to help the patient (to my knowledge level and ability). However, it is important to recognize and utilize everyone in their appropriate roles in the response and chain of survival.

In my hometown, we have a lot of rope rescues, high angle rescues, grain bin collapses, wilderness search and rescues, etc...we utilize any personnel who have properly trained to handle these situations on our department (whether fire or EMS) and so far this has worked well. It is nice to have a seasoned medic be able to repel on a rope rescue or high angle rescue when ALS measures are needed.

[air.stump]

Stumps Laws of EMS

1. Don't buy into the hype.

2. It's not my emergency it's yours.

3. Never, ever tell a pilot how to fly.

4. Police have the guns, firemen have hoses and tools and that is where the problem arises.

5. It's OK to panic for five seconds when the sentence starts out, "Hey ya'll, watch this..."

See number 4.

EMS in the places I work at are more or less safety observers.