mvfire8989

As I think ny10570 was trying to say, the fact that the number of volunteers involved in accidents is higher is not surprising, but this number alone is meaningless without further data to make an objective comparison. You are comparing the numerators of two fractions while ignoring the denominator. Since there are vastly more volunteer than career firefighters, the comparison is not valid until you can compare it by the vehicle mile or something to that effect.
100 is larger than 10, but 100/10000 (0.01) is less than 10/100 (0.1)

Ok, so I'm not sure why the difference between the two stats you have. Was it just because the the time period studied or were there different criteria in the search? The "Selected Special Analysis" is throwing me off. But we'll go with what we got. From 92-02 Career ff's made up 9.9% of the deaths and from '00 to '10 they're up to 18.8%. Since the two over lap this is terrible statistics, but when I average it out we get 14.35%. As of 2010 All career and mostly career FD's only represented 14% of the firefighters nation wide. Arguably even in mostly volunteer FD's the career guys still probably do the lion share of the apparatus driving. That more than doubles the number to 32% of all firefighters.
All of this however could mean nothing because take yonkers for example. Your dept has how many apparatus on the road available to respond every day? A quick google search came up with 20 including the battalions. If you take your typlical westchester volleys responding from home to fill 18 rigs and two chiefs (lets assume only two members on each rig because its a beautiful tuesday afternoon) you're going to wind up with 56 separate vehicles being driven. You'd have to do 3x as many runs in yonkers to cover the number of trips taken by the vollys. Then there's the number of miles driven. What's the average distance for urban paid depts vs suburban and rural volunteer depts? Chief, you're over simplifying some very complicated statistics just to make a point. Without the proper data how can people not take this as a biased attack? It makes it seem personal no matter how much you insist it is not.

As I think ny10570 was trying to say, the fact that the number of volunteers involved in accidents is higher is not surprising, but this number alone is meaningless without further data to make an objective comparison. You are comparing the numerators of two fractions while ignoring the denominator. Since there are vastly more volunteer than career firefighters, the comparison is not valid until you can compare it by the vehicle mile or something to that effect.
100 is larger than 10, but 100/10000 (0.01) is less than 10/100 (0.1)

As I think ny10570 was trying to say, the fact that the number of volunteers involved in accidents is higher is not surprising, but this number alone is meaningless without further data to make an objective comparison. You are comparing the numerators of two fractions while ignoring the denominator. Since there are vastly more volunteer than career firefighters, the comparison is not valid until you can compare it by the vehicle mile or something to that effect.
100 is larger than 10, but 100/10000 (0.01) is less than 10/100 (0.1)

As I think ny10570 was trying to say, the fact that the number of volunteers involved in accidents is higher is not surprising, but this number alone is meaningless without further data to make an objective comparison. You are comparing the numerators of two fractions while ignoring the denominator. Since there are vastly more volunteer than career firefighters, the comparison is not valid until you can compare it by the vehicle mile or something to that effect.
100 is larger than 10, but 100/10000 (0.01) is less than 10/100 (0.1)

In the past week I've had two legit MOS cardiac events. Todays death in Brooklyn is looking like another according to early reports. I cannot stress how important this topic is for everyone. If you are not in perfect shape you need to be in better shape. Every time they research the physiological impact of our jobs (EMS, PD, and Fire) we go off the charts. The first studies of stress hormones in firefighters were so far off the charts they couldn't accurately measure them.

There seems to be sector and role portions of the profile. My role was somehow modified to police officer. Looking through this thread there seems to be number of other "police officers" as well.

There seems to be sector and role portions of the profile. My role was somehow modified to police officer. Looking through this thread there seems to be number of other "police officers" as well.

The sense of entitlement and self importance expressed by many of the posters on this thread is, unfortunately, not surprising. We are public servants, not the other way around guys. A fair days pay for a fair days work. Or, in the case of volunteers- volunteer, which means to do something with no expectation of compensation.
In my opinion. if there is a clearly advertised "deal" or "discount" for Fire / EMS / Police, go ahead and take it. If you need to ask for it, or persuade (aka intimidate, embarass or coerce) someone to give it to you, you have demeaned yourself and discredited your profession.
It is heartening to see from reading this thread that I am not alone in my feelings on this.

Sir, since you asked I've been an EMT for four years. In the interest of full disclosure I am also a medical student. In the State of NY there is no duty to act when you are not on duty. Please correct me if I am wrong but this document would seem to support this fact. The important part reads, "NYS statutes do not obligate an individual citizen, regardless of training, to respond to a situation or provide care unless there is a formal duty by job description or role expectation. Such a duty to act arises from participation with an agency having jurisdiction." Which I take to mean that if you are not at work you don't have the duty to act. The full document is here http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/pdf/98-05.pdf .
I am aware that there are many skilled prehospital providers out there, whom I would also trust my life to if necessary. However, I disagree that doctors need "tests and machinery" to act in a circumstance where an EMT would have no need for the same. The risk of lawsuit would also be no different, http://www.health.ny.gov/nysdoh/ems/art30.htm
"1. Except as provided in subdivision six of section six thousand six hundred eleven, subdivision two of section six thousand five hundred twenty-seven, subdivision one of section six thousand nine hundred nine and sections six thousand five hundred forty-seven and six thousand seven hundred thirty-seven of the education law, any person who voluntarily and without expectation of monetary compensation renders first aid or emergency treatment at the scene of an accident or other emergency outside a hospital, doctor's office or any other place having proper and necessary medical equipment, to a person who is unconscious, ill, or injured, shall not be liable for damages for injuries alleged to have been sustained by such person or for damages for the death of such person alleged to have occurred by reason of an act or omission in the rendering of such emergency treatment unless it is established that such injuries were or such death was caused by gross negligence on the part of such person. Nothing in this section shall be deemed or construed to relieve a licensed physician, dentist, nurse, physical therapist or registered physician's assistant from liability for damages for injuries or death caused by an act or omission on the part of such person while rendering professional services in the normal and ordinary course of his or her practice."
Given that both have no duty to act and equal protection from lawsuit and adequate training to respond to a situation when they have no equipment I see no reason for treating anyone differently.

FD/PD/EMS Ride NYC transit for free while on duty and in uniform. PD is officially extended this courtesy while riding Metro-North under the guise that they'll provide assistance in the event of an emergency. That's it, end of discussion. Any other talk of professional courtesy is not for a public forum, it doesn't read well to the uninformed general public. I for one always carry a ticket with me on Metro-North.

I'm sure that your aware of this if you have done a lot of research into this area, but this is a lot of weight to lose in a relatively short period of time, physicians generally recommend about 1-2 pounds per week as a reasonable goal. It has also usually more sustainable over the long term. It may be a good idea to talk to your doctor if you haven't already.
Since you brought up the BMR, I wanted to make sure that you were aware that this will change as you lose weight. It will actually decrease to a value that is lower than that of someone who is at any given weight normally. For example, if your lose weight and reach a target weight of 150lbs, your BMR could be 1200cal, while someone who has always weighed 150 will have a BMR of 1500cal. This is the physiological basis of yo-yo dieting, since you will often need to cut out even more calories to maintain your target weight compared to the number of calories cut to reach that weight. You'll need to maintain that weight for at least a year before your body begins to more normally maintain your metabolism around that set point.
Again, you may already be aware of this but I thought it might be helpful as general advice.

For anyone who may be interested in starting to lose weight the physiology of metabolism is helpful/interesting. As far as balancing calories taken in versus how many we use, by far the most efficient way to lose weight is by eating less. Only 15% of the calories we burn each day are from activity. The other 85% we have no control over. So while exercise is very important, it is equally or more important to eat a healthy balanced diet.
So you want to lose a pound of fat? Here's the math. 1 pound of fat is 3500 calories, so to lose that pound you must either increase your activity level to burn that extra pound or cut out 3500 calories. Cutting out 500 calories a day (7*500 = 3500 ) puts you at a 1 pound a week loss. This level is generally accepted as a safe amount of weight loss.
Stay healthy and stay safe!

For anyone who may be interested in starting to lose weight the physiology of metabolism is helpful/interesting. As far as balancing calories taken in versus how many we use, by far the most efficient way to lose weight is by eating less. Only 15% of the calories we burn each day are from activity. The other 85% we have no control over. So while exercise is very important, it is equally or more important to eat a healthy balanced diet.
So you want to lose a pound of fat? Here's the math. 1 pound of fat is 3500 calories, so to lose that pound you must either increase your activity level to burn that extra pound or cut out 3500 calories. Cutting out 500 calories a day (7*500 = 3500 ) puts you at a 1 pound a week loss. This level is generally accepted as a safe amount of weight loss.
Stay healthy and stay safe!

For anyone who may be interested in starting to lose weight the physiology of metabolism is helpful/interesting. As far as balancing calories taken in versus how many we use, by far the most efficient way to lose weight is by eating less. Only 15% of the calories we burn each day are from activity. The other 85% we have no control over. So while exercise is very important, it is equally or more important to eat a healthy balanced diet.
So you want to lose a pound of fat? Here's the math. 1 pound of fat is 3500 calories, so to lose that pound you must either increase your activity level to burn that extra pound or cut out 3500 calories. Cutting out 500 calories a day (7*500 = 3500 ) puts you at a 1 pound a week loss. This level is generally accepted as a safe amount of weight loss.
Stay healthy and stay safe!

For anyone who may be interested in starting to lose weight the physiology of metabolism is helpful/interesting. As far as balancing calories taken in versus how many we use, by far the most efficient way to lose weight is by eating less. Only 15% of the calories we burn each day are from activity. The other 85% we have no control over. So while exercise is very important, it is equally or more important to eat a healthy balanced diet.
So you want to lose a pound of fat? Here's the math. 1 pound of fat is 3500 calories, so to lose that pound you must either increase your activity level to burn that extra pound or cut out 3500 calories. Cutting out 500 calories a day (7*500 = 3500 ) puts you at a 1 pound a week loss. This level is generally accepted as a safe amount of weight loss.
Stay healthy and stay safe!

Why is it these lawmakers can't stay out of woman's vagina's?
If you're against abortion, then don't have one.

Why should be lining up behind Israel? What do we actually gain from having a democracy like Israel in the middle east? Since its creation Israel has inflamed political tensions and extrhemest rhetoric. For the billions in aide given what does it do for us? Turkey, India, Pakistan, Saudia Arabia, etc all offer military or political gains in the region. In Israel we are spending money to protect a people we essentially put there. That region has the same significance for Christians as it does Jews and Muslims. Why is there no push for a Christian state?
How would we react if Mexico decided to reclaim unoccupied land within the US because long ago that land was theirs.
None of this is a justification of the terror tactics utilized by Israels neighbors or any attempt to eradicate them, but I can see why they're pissed.

I refer you to the 1st amendment... and statter911.
http://statter911.com/2011/12/18/what-gives-no-outrage-over-ghoulish-photographers-shooting-bodies-has-something-changed-in-year-since-connecticut-trooper-blasted-cameraman/
As much as I disagree with the the filming of accidents, patients, and the operations, the constitution allows for the freedom of the press to film and report what they want that is open to pubic viewing. Morally and ethically is it OK, probably not. There has been incidents of firefighters and EMS workers getting fired over the release of medical photos and videos, but again, we're held accountable under HIPAA.
The only thing that can effectively keep the news out of a certain area, is to set up a secure zone and consider it a crime scene or active investigation site, thus prohibiting the reporters from entering the restricted area. Other then that, it is fair game.

This was an active FDNY member non-LODD funeral recently upstate. The members of this brothers company decided to give him this send-off. The FDNY Pipes & Drums led the procession as a few hundred members stood along the road in their uniforms. Local fire departments were asked to use their tower ladders to hang a large flag for the procession to pass under. This is the way they chose to respect him. Every fire department/company has the right to honor their own the way they see fit, and Mahopac did.

Worried? No, not at all. However, if you'd like to make a credible argument, spelling and grammar are great building blocks.
Disrespectful would be saying, "Rye Brook FD and PD should be dissolved and all their members should be fired". I don't believe I saw anyone approaching that level of crass suggestion. The root of what is being discussed here is fire department operations of the RBFD. What the politicians have created here is the illusion of fire protection. Residents call 911 and big red trucks show up and no one knows that there are only two firemen who are going to have to put themselves through the ringer to accomplish a fraction of what needs to be done at a fire. First and foremost, this is detrimental to the safety of the members while working, as well as to any other emergency personal who may be called to work at the same scene. I mean, seriously, how much burden can you lay on the shoulders of two guys?! It's crazy! No, actually it's criminal.
Public safety isn't hard to justify. We know it and we all know that no one, not one single department, has the staffing that we should always have. The issue here is not what all of US think, but what can be accomplished in reality. All of us, along with the people we serve, deserve top quality emergency services provided by properly structured agencies. That means commanders (chiefs and line officers), support staff and last, but of greatest importance, the number of firefighters to get the job done. The sad reality is that RBFD probably won't suddenly hire a chief, enough officers and firemen to properly staff (at least) 1 engine and 1 truck, 24 hours a day. Could they afford it? Probably. Is that a wealthy community who's residents can take a tax hike? Yup! But, as the saying goes, "the rich don't get rich by giving their money away". They're wrong and they think that they'll never need the fire department, but things get awful ugly when you start looking at numbers.
The bottom line is this, that firehouse is very necessary, so lets talk about how to get those guys the proper tools (i.e. manpower) to do the job they're forced to do without proper manning. I believe, IMHO, that the only way for this to occur is (get ready, here's the buzzword again) CONSOLIDATION!!

While I think that its normal to feel uncomfortable as a new EMT, refreshing on the way to a call is really not the way to go. You owe it to your patients to be a competent provider before you respond as the EMT on a call. If your VAC is pushing for you to ride solo before you think your ready that is something you need to address. As far as medical histories go SAMPLE should be about the same for all of your patients. Your OPQRST questions really don't change either. The basis behind that is to get an idea of what is going on with the present illness, and one of the best ways to do that is with open ended questions if you listen to your patient they will tell you most of the pertinent details you need to know. Just remember your ABC's and use some common sense when your getting a history and you will be fine.
- Josh
(EMT-B, MD Candidate, NYMC)

I think any new EMT has gone through the same emotions, fears and thought process you are going through currently. I do have to say however that if you have passed the NYS EMT-B class you have displayed the minimum number of qualification required to earn you your brand new certification, congratulations. With that knowledge in mind, remember, in passing the test, the state has certified that they believe you capable of properly treating a patient within the EMT-Bs scope of practice. Essentially, you should already know everything you need to know to properly and effectively do your job to standard. Brushing up in the back of the rig wont help you immobilize an extremity any better than practice, brushing up wont decide for h your O2 flow rate, brushing up wont help you properly manage and treat your patient. The good news is however, you should know all this material. You may not feel comfortable now sitting in your living room thinking about it, but when push does come to shove, you should be able to fall back on your training and do everything you should be doing without even thinking. If you don't believe me, try running through situations with your training officer or at home with your family...I would bet money you do your job fine 99/100 times. Remember, you are trained to do this, you have the skills, knowledge and motivation...you are just lacking the experience, and experience comes with time.
I leave you with a little anecdote. I have been an EMT-B for two years. After running on rescue squads, ambulance corps and fire departments as an EMT for a year and half, I moved to Puerto Rico for the summer. When I got back, I had not practiced EMS in 4 months. I left in May got back in August, about a week after I got back, as we were squaring gear away in the house from an AFA, an extremely serious MVA occurred down the road. Since I was the most experienced EMT (yes, I know at a year and half its hard to call me experienced) I ended up as the primary EMT on the primary ambulance assigned the highest priority patient. The patient was the driver of a van involved in a 2 car head on MVA found unresponsive outside of the van. Even though I had been away for 4 months not practicing my skills, I was able to do my job autonomically, I, much like you will be able to do, was able to fall back onto my training, skills and experiences and manage the scene and the patient effectively. Obvious this was a load and go patient so the medic, me and the crew didnt even have time to get a name let alone sit around thinking about our treatment. We acted, we did what we were trained to do, and so will you. Besides the medic who came later and my driver, my other crew member was an EMT-B who received his card in the mail less than two weeks beforehand. He remarked to me after the call, he don't know what happened or how he did it, but some how he was not only to do his job, he was able to do his job well. In fact we were both told by our chief and the medic that he did a great job. When it comes time to do your job, have no doubts that you will do it fine. You are trained and skilled, you have the knowledge and the desire, you just need to be given the opportunity to stretch your sea legs and do your job too.
Plain and simple, you can't be expected to know everything and you can't be expected to be perfect every time. Give yourself a chance to get your bearings and head on straight. Once you have tech'ed a few calls you will realize that you are more competent than you think, it just takes practice, patience and time.

Date is in the title of the post - 10/6/11

I think what makes Bad Box, as well some of our other very knowledgeable members, (BNechis, helicopper and efdcapt115 all come to mind) is, they are very knowledgeable, and they can convey that knowledge effectively. We can all agree, being knowledgeable is just half the battle, being able to relay that knowledge is the key.
Bad Box, and these others, can articulate their points effectively and use them as teaching and knowledge sharing opportunities. As opposed to other leaders who may have all the answers, but they alienate those they are imparting their knowledge on. Whether it be because of ego, attitude, or just a complete lack of social skills, that knowledge gets lost.
So, kudos to Bad Box, and all the others who really do all they can to build on this forum.