gpeifer

Members
 View profile  See their activity

  • Content count

    86

  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by gpeifer

  1. Posted

    Thanks a lot.

    I always thought that ALS weren't supposed to be command or triage, but instead in the treatment sector? Or maybe that was just triage but not command

    There s no such thing as EMS Command. There is an EMS Branch with a branch manager and maybe trage group, treatment groups, morgue group..etc. an EMS official might be in the command post to offer advice but rarely is in EMS in charge of a scene. PD, FD, or bth will be in "command" of an incident. The highest trained EMS person has decision making capabilities when it comes to patient care, movement, and transport. Every EMS person needs to become intimately familiar with NIMS and ICS..at least to the 200 level.

    x129K likes this

  4. Posted

    So what is the propose of this truck? Are they not letting engines responding anymore?

    No. Engines are the primary EMS response to EMS runs. This vehicle is assigned to the EMS Officer. It replaces an 11 year old Ford Expedition. The EMS Officer responds to major and unusual incidents or if special called by a Batallion Chief.

    Honestly why doesn't Yonkers FD take over ems from empress?

    Not even on the radar. Our mission is provide first response EMS and support the transporting agency (Empress) any way we can.

    YFD Special Operations has a "EMS Trailer" that is used for Medical Emergency Response. Maybe this Chevy Silverado will be used to "Tow" the YFD Special Operations EMS Trailer"

    Does anyone within YFD know what the exact purpose of this YFD EMS Truck is?

    We have an MCI trailer, a rehab trailer, a shelter trailer, and others. This vehicle, along with other Field support units, is available to tow these.

    pcfpr1, billy98988, EmsFirePolice and 4 others like this

  10. Posted

    Thanks Seth for the update and photos. I certainly hope that Engine 298 (Old Engine 306) doesn't end up in the YFD Special Operations Graveyard like the "Restored Truck 5" is currently residing !!! (I hope that someone places this rig (Engine 298) along with that restored Truck 5 in the eventual YFD Muesum (whereever that will be). Both rigs are "CLASSICS"

    The antique ladder is not an old Yonkers ladder.

  12. Posted

    No career departments within a reasonable distance have tankers. No departments were ruled out. The departments are selected so they don't "strip down" the non-hydranted areas of Westchester. Often, the decision is left up to 60 Control, and all YFD asks for is the number of tankers they wanted.

    Guy, thanks for the info! What is the expected duration of this?

    Seth,

    This operation is expected to go through the night and most likely into tomorrow.

  13. Posted

    YFD's 5000 gallon Water Tender is "active" and ready to roll from 460 Nepperhan in case of a fire. There are at least 6 other 2000+ gallon tankers from Con-Edison and other private sources in the city, one of which is at St. Josephs. Our boat is manned and ready to pump from the river (2000 gallons a minute). Metro North has moved a 10,000 gallon rail car into the city. YFD has also put additional LDH rigs in service, a couple of extra trucks, and multiple support staff units.

    JM15 likes this

  16. Posted

    Some more info:

    Empress will be providing Specialty Care Transportation and Grasslands Campus ambulance services for WMC.

    I know that the hard work and dedication of ALL Empress EMS employees made this possible.

    Although some may choose to disagree, Empress is not driven by profit. They have their ups and downs, but time and time again they always come out on top. They have never really made a true profit, and when they do have money, they always reinvest in something that betters the company, such as the SOD team. Empress held the original WCMC contract in the 90's, before at the time the first generation Transcare took over about 1998'ish. Empress also provided critical care transportation at that time, and staffed the then new Stat-Flight with flight paramedics. (All photos of the original Stat-Flight have an Empress logo on them)

    I was employed by Empress from 1997-2000, and still to this day have many friends who have worked or currently work there. Even though I no longer work there, Empress has helped me when I needed it. Empress has had it's tragedies, but those who currently work there and the alumni have always banded together to help one another, even other agencies when they've needed support. It's really a family.

    Kudos to Empress EMS on this awesome new contract.

    Seth,

    A-1 Ambulance had the original WMC contract. Believe it or not there was EMS before you young guys were around...LOL. Congratulations to Empress, They will surely do a good job, I only hope it does not affect their current response areas. I don't want to have to wait for an ambulance to come from WMC to Yonkers.

    Guy

  17. Posted

    CCCrraaccckkkkkkk!!! That was the sound of the can opening....here come the worms. Back in the 80's (most of you younger guys don't even recall EMS in the 80's) Ted Tully proposed a county wide EMS system. What a great idea!!!! Except the vollies all cried that it would be taking away their beloved ambulance calls. Now these same agencies cannot respond in a timely manner, many are hiring (isnt that the same as paid), bill for service, and most contract out the ALS service. The time has come for change...hasn't that been the catch phrase lately. I commend all volunteers..but patient care NEEDS to be the priority, not the green and or blue light you get to use when the tones go off. Wackers rejoice...if you want to be an EMT or paramedic, than be a career EMT or paramedic. Volunteer EMS dilutes the system, lowering wages for those that depend on it for their livelihood. Where are the volunteer doctors and nurses? Doing EMS as a career makes for better EMT's and paramedics as you gain more experience.

    The county should look into a Public Utility Model for areas outside of the large cities. Other areas are doing well with this approach.

    Guy

  18. Posted

    You either do less with less or you do your job poorly. No matter how dedicated the members are they're not going to be able to do more. As Capt Nechis has pointed out again and again, in most cases improvements in ISO rating result in savings greater than the tax increase. I don't know the numbers, but it seems like Pelham is small enough where they could realize a significant improvement in fire protection for very little cost by merging with New Rochelle. So taxes aren't the issue. Why aren't people more vocal on this? The firefighters are rolling the dice with their lives and residents are essentially writing off their property as lost because they will not/ can not give their fire dept the money to do the job.

    Because they want to say "we have a paid fire department". Their approach is why pay when we can everyone else respond. Mutual aid is for extreme circumstances..not first due assignments.

    27east likes this

  20. Posted

    According to a posting on FireEngines.net by a very credible and reputable member of that site, FDNY has awarded a contract to Wheeled Coach for 56 regular ambulances on a 4 door Dodge Ram 4500 Chasis.

    Further info:

    http://www.modelfiretrucks.net/smf/index.php?topic=12372.0

    Orlando, FL (PRWEB) March 19, 2011

    Wheeled Coach Industries, Inc., the world's largest ambulance manufacturer, has been awarded a multi-year contract by the City of New York to provide new ambulances for the Fire Department of New York (FDNY). With the initial purchase order for 56 ambulances, which stemmed from a competitive bid, the Company anticipates 285 ambulances to be delivered over the contract period.

    "This is obviously a significant contract for our company. It demonstrates Wheeled Coach's commitment to our core philosophy of building heavy duty and highly customized ambulances meeting a customer's specific requirements. New York is a tough proving ground, but our engineers, craftsmen and quality systems are up to the challenge" stated Wheeled Coach's President Robert Collins.

    These ambulances are based on the Dodge B4500, Quad-Cab chassis platform and incorporate the many unique structural and technical requirements of FDNY. "As the ambulance supplier to most of America's large ambulance fleets, I am particularly excited to have this opportunity to work with the FDNY staff on this project" said Wheeled Coach's Vice President of Sales, Scott Barnes.

    About Wheeled Coach: Wheeled Coach is a wholly owned subsidiary of Allied Specialty Vehicles. ASV, with revenues of approximately $1 billion, is a market leader in three industry segments: Fire & Emergency, Recreational Vehicles, and Bus & Industrial. The Company was formed on August 25, 2010 through the combination of four existing portfolio companies of American Industrial Partners: EONE, Inc., Collins Industries, Inc., Halcore Group Inc., and Fleetwood RV Inc. Within the Fire & Emergency segment, ASV offers an extensive line of fire apparatus and ambulances. Within the Recreational Vehicle segment, the Company produces Class A and Class C Recreational Vehicles under many of the industry's iconic brand names. Within the Bus & Industrial segment, the Company produces Type A bus products for both the school and childcare markets as well as terminal trucks and street sweeper products.

    For more information, visit the Wheeled Coach website at http://www.wheeledcoach.com.

  21. Posted

    What happens if the driver on the right and the one on the left dont agree on which way to go?

    It wont work in Westchester for rehab. Our EMS crews requested a Bee Line bus for rehab at the Main Street Church fire last week and the answer was DOT can not provide a bus till 6am.

    Bee Line should take lessons from LANTA Bus in Allentown, PA. They had 6 buses at the scene of a building explosion within 30 minutes, and it was after midnight. There needs to be communication between EMS/Fire and BeeLine. This is a valuable resource.

  22. Posted

    Here in NJ what have several special resources obtained thru our UASI group. The Regional Catastrophic Planning Group is a separate has a much wider view and includes NYC, Nassau, Suffolk, Westchester, Pike County, PA, and several counties in Conn hugging the NYS line. They do more planning then money providing. One of the projects in a evacuation of NYC, hence Pike County, PA (Rt 80).

    The NJ UASI has provided seven counties in NJ with specialized resources for police, fire, EMS, public health, haz mat, and hospitals. This includes the formation of rapid deployment forces for each county, SWAT vehicles, and specialized training for law enforcement; the fire service has several career departments that are equipped with large rescue trucks as part of the Metro USAR Strike Force, foam tenders, 12 inch hose and Neptune pumping systems, fire boats for Jersey City, Newark, and Perth Amboy, and training. For EMS they have provided seven Mass Casualty Response Units, staging trailers, MCI trailers, ASAP mini ambulances, logistics units, and planners for certain regions. We are currently having 9 medical ambulance buses built for the region.

    All these resources are used on every day events. Even though the resources are known about there are several departments that will not call for them, thinking they can do everything on their own or be put into the position of having to call for help.

    I want an ASAP Mini Ambulance. :)

  23. Posted

    I'm just curoius to see if there is a NYS Protocol for restraining patients in the back of an ambulance. Is there is list of items that may be used to restrain patients (ie: triangular bandage, restraints, etc)?

    The reason I'm asking is because I just saw an episode of The Bravest (Yes, I know this is an old show) in which the City of Dallas FD used lage zip ties to restrain patients. These seem to work well and can only tighten, unlike triangular bandages which often losen or allow the pt to slip out. The only concern would be the zip tie becoming too tight. Could these be used? Or does protocol not allow this?

    NYS DOH Paramedic Curriculum:

    Management considerations

    a. Treat existing medical problems

    b. Maintain safety

    c. Control violent situations

    d. Medical legal considerations

    (1) Standard of care

    (2) Consent

    (3) Limitations of legal authority

    (4) Restraints

    e. Remain with patient at all times

    f. Avoid challenging personal space

    g. Avoid judgements

    h. Transport against patient's will when

    (1) Patient presents threat to self or others

    (2) Ordered by medical direction

    (3) Implemented by law enforcement authorities, if at all possible

    i. Types of restraints

    (1) Wrist/ waist/ ankle leather or velcro straps

    (2) Full jacket restraint

    (3) Other

    Lesson Outline:

    Physical restraint of the violent patient

    a. Improvised restraint devices (materials from the ambulance)

    b. Commercially made restraints (leather or nylon, padded for comfort) that prevent

    movement of the arms and legs

    c. Make sure you have sufficient personnel (police assistance is required); minimum of

    five people.

    d. Move quickly to restrain the patient.

    e. Leader should maintain verbal contact with the patient (even if the patient is not

    paying attention).

    f. Check the patient’s peripheral circulation to make sure the restraints aren’t too tight.

    g. Document everything in the patient’s chart.

    4. Skill Drill: Restraining a Patient

    a. Assemble four or five rescuers and have the stretcher or carrying device and soft

    restraints (wide cloth or commercial leather restraints) nearby (Step 1).

    b. Designate a leader who will communicate with both the team and the patient.

    c. Assign positions to each member: four extremities and the head (Step 2).

    d. If possible, corner the patient in a safe area with the least obstruction and no glass

    (Step 3).

    e. On the direction of the team leader, who will be talking to the patient calmly, move

    together toward the patient (Step 4).

    f. Each team member should grasp the assigned body part and carefully, with the least

    amount of force needed, bring the patient to the ground (Step 5).

    g. Carefully place the patient on the stretcher or carrying device in a face-up position

    (Step 6).

    h. Tie the patient with soft restraints at each wrist and ankle as well as over the chest

    and pelvis with sheets (Step 7). If the patient is spitting, place an oxygen mask or

    surgical mask on his or her face.

    Other articles:

    http://www.emsworld.com/print/Firehouse-Magazine---EMS-Features/Restraining-The-Combative-Patient/3$7696

    http://wearcam.org/decon/full_body_restraint.htm

    http://www.acep.org/content.aspx?id=29836

    This is a copy of a local agencies policy:

    Restraint

    When necessary for the patient and/or crew’s safety, in addition to the straps on the stretcher, a patient may be restrained using the least amount of force and restraint necessary.

    Remember that the most effective restraint device is a calm, firm, professional demeanor.

    The first step is to request the police to place the patient in temporary police custody. In the absence of the police, the EMT should attempt to gain permission from the patient’s parent (if a minor) or guardian, or contact medical direction for advice. In the event that neither the police nor a parent or guardian (for a minor) is present, the EMT may restrain the patient if it is safe (for both the crew and patient) and you determine that the patient may be a danger to himself or others. It is preferred that there be at least three crew members present. If the crew is in danger, the appropriate thing to do is retreat!

    Patients should be transported with a crew member of the same gender, if possible. Patients not in police custody should not be handcuffed. Patients should never be transported face down or with their respiratory capacity restricted in any way. All restrained patients must be continually monitored.

    PFDRes47cue, Bnechis and efdcapt115 like this

  24. Posted · Edited by gpeifer

    Date:02/09/2011

    Time:2300

    Location:City of Allentown, PA

    Frequency: Trunked 855.2125, Lehigh County 154.175

    Units Operating: Allentown Fire, Allentown EMS, Mutual EMS units for a Level 1 MCI, Mutual Aid fire units to cover the city.

    Weather Conditions: Cold

    Description Of Incident:Reported explosion of a house. Report "debris every where". 3rd alarm fire. Level 1 MCI response for multiple patients with blast injuries.

    2326hrs: upgraded to a level 3 MCI. Evacuating two large high rise residences.

    2339 hrs: Red Cross notified that 750 people are in need of shelter.

    Reporters:

    Writer:gpeifer

  25. Posted

    Doesn't it stand to reason that if there were no volunteers and you had to hire additional paid FF's that the taxes would be even higher and continue to increase over time??

    I would like to see an analysis on that by a community. If the community (ie:town, village) is paying for the firehouses, the equipment and supplies, the apparatus, insurance, workmans compensation, and now retirement benefits in many areas...the only thing left is salaries. I read a while ago, but with my half-timers cant recall where, but it was figured that it would cost the average taxpayer of ABC community about $350 annually for career fire protection. That is not a lot considering the service that would be provided.

    Guy