paratrooper75

Way to just put up an idiot post and start all kinds of rumors! This is why I'm never on this stupid site anymore but I got an email and felt obligated to reply to this bs. Get the facts before posting something like this. All you are doing is starting a massive rumor and getting people worked up for no reason. TC Hudson Valley is separate from TC Westchester, NYC, etc. Putnam will not be losing their service and the HV division as well as Pittsburg will not be ceasing operations. Also, I will not be replying or coming back on so.. aha, got ya last.

So why call? Most people think of a helicopter as a "fast ambulance". While this is true, the abilities of the flight crew are far greater than the average ALS ambulance. I agree that if the transport time is going to be 20 minutes then by all means go by ground. Just remember that the air crew offers more than just a fast ride. Some of their capabilities include video laryngoscopy, RSI, surgical cricothyrotomy, pericardiocentisis, intraosseous infusions, and mechanical ventilatory management . They carry some familiar equipment like EZ-IO guns, pelvic binders, and CAT tourniquets. Some additional medications that are carried and not found on ambulances are Ancef for open fractures, warmed Lactated Ringers solution for hypovolemic patients, Mannitol for head traumas, and Tranexamic acid to help slow internal hemorrhage. All of these measures are greatly beneficial for patients with extended transport times but can also be very useful and sometimes necessary for patients that may be within driving distance to a trauma center. Hope this helps!

My favorite is when two neighboring VAC's each have one EMT/driver on and get toned out and neither can get a full crew! Why not consolidate and rotate departments with a full crew? These two VAC's have a very low call volume so one full crew would be much more beneficial then two incomplete crews. The phrase "take it with the medic" is common place now.

I use the Zoll in the air and on the ground. I've also used the LP12 and LP15. The Zoll X-series/Propaq wins hands down.

True, which makes their death rate that much more substantial. They lost 32 fisherman in a recent year. When you factor in the amount of commercial fisherman currently working in the US that puts them at a fatality rate of 1 in 835 workers . Firefighting on the other had lost 107 firefighters in a recent year. With over 1.2 million firefighters in the US that equates to roughly 1 in 11,000. So like I stated before, statistically they are very far apart. That said, firefighting in my eyes is still dangerous just not on a scale that would be comparable.

Statistically firefighting isn't even close. Not to say its not dangerous but lets face it, you're not running in to burning buildings everyday.

How about etiquette in general? How many parades have you been to where you see guys in uniform with their shirt untucked, tie falling off, hat all crooked, drinking beer? And some ff's wonder why the publics perseption isn't always favorable. Ever see military personnel look like that? Nope, because there is respect for the uniform and what it stands for.

Nice to see a factual, non-biased, and non-opinionated answer. What a concept!

I guess no one in MKFD wants anyone to know they are a volunteer fire chief. Ghost graphics, slim line, and black???? Buff much? lol

Awesome bosses, great equipment, top notch vehicles, friendly and supportive hospital staff, helpful police officers, and dedicated volunteers. What more can you ask for!

Short answer.. never.

It's time EMS writes it's protocols based off evidence based research and not just because "that's how we've always done it". I've included two links that show the effects of the excess use of oxygen and why backboards are overused. Overuse of backboards: http://mobile.emsworld.com/article/10964204/prehospital-spinal-immobilization Excess use of oxygen: http://rc.rcjournal.com/content/58/1/86.full

You hit the expedite button in the flycar/amblaunce to get to the scene 10 seconds faster and make no difference in patient outcome while endangering yourself and your crew for no reason.

Danbury is a level 2. We transport people out of Danbury and St francis frequently that were brought in as a trauma but need a level 1 center due to their injuries. While air transport from a scene is generally used for time critical patients we also carry a number of advanced care devices/medications not found on ground ambulances. By no means delay transport especially if it's less than a 30 minute ride but also keep in mind the specialized care a critical care team can provide.

.. and to answer your question they would go to WMC from Brewster. Patients choice only comes into play when there are two equidistant hospitals from the scene.