x635

I was thinking about all the recent discussion regarding Firefighter Fitness, and came up with a wacky idea. Westchester County is always doing something progressive. Their latest intiative is countering "Cyberbullying", which is recieving nationwide attention. So why doesn't Westchester County do something for the Fire Service that would be progressive? Here's my idea: Westchester County should open two "Firefighter/EMS/Communications Fitness Centers", one for the North county, someplace central, and one for Central/southern WC. These COULD be open to other county and local employees as well to offset costs, but the primary focus would be firefighters and EMT's physcial fitness. Fire Departments would pay a very reasonable fee, and for that the firefighters would have 24/7 day a week access to a gym with equipment and design geared towards a firefighter or EMS professional. At specific times, a personal trainer would be available to develop and implement workout plans that will fit everybody. Second part of my idea.....make going to the gym and meeting with the personal trainer to set up a plan a component of the FF1 class. Require ALL Firefighters/EMS proffesionals AND dispatchers to attend the gym at least twice a month or whatever in order to maintain membership or employment. I know it's a little outrageous, but if the county can provide training, why can't they provide this? I feel that many in-house gyms are underutilized or used inappropriately.

I'm in, lol!

If you're talking about the link to the image I posted with the Riverhead story, that is an image that is #1 is commonly available on ALL of the media websites and TV and newspapers. The main reason that link was placed in the story I posted was it's hard to put an incident like that into perspective without it......the damage to the ambulance and the incident is just further evidence of how ambulance safety and construction standards needs to be greatly improved. Ambulance design, safety, and construction is a HUGE issue....this is not the first incident of this type, but I hope it will be one of the last. This image clearly shows the need for better crashworthy ambulances. These collegues that lost their lives today.....maybe the incident they were invloved in will get people to think more carefully next time before they turn on the lights, to look at how the ambulance is built before purchase, to lobby Congress to enforce better ambulance safety standards, to add safety features, etc etc. Ambulance safety, design, and construction is almost completly ignored over fashion and bells and whistels. That's what I wanted people to think of in that photo link, not the gore....

Terrorism is definetly a key issue......the waters are deemed to be one of our weakest points of entry for terrorists. Last weekend I came across the TZ and there were tons of boats on the water....easily way over 100 in the vicintity of the TZ....there is definetly a need for enforcement and patrols on this busy and dangerous river!

Sooner, I hope. Not even sure if I am going to Firehouse expo yet....if I do, I will probaly take the train down. It's more fun to enjoy the city/inner harbor without a car sometimes.

I like 'em! They look great. Medix sure is becoming popular in the lower portion of this county. 648's photos should be posted later this week.

This is the type of post I love to see on this board, and mainly what this forum is about. With that said, I have some random thoughts of my own. Excuse me if anything's been said already. -You won't always be able to hear or palp a BP, don't be afraid to say so if you can't hear one. It may not be you... -Invest in a quality stethescope. Littmans are the best, IMO. The better quality and model the scope, the better you can hear. Cheap stethescopes are just that. Littman engineering and quality allow more and clearer sounds. -Look at other signs to get an idea of the ballpark of the BP. If the pt is pale, cool, and diaphoretic, chances are you aren't going to hear one. -Children under 3, no BP needed or neccesary -Automatic BP's can be helpful, but can be way off. Always get a manual BP every 5-15, and use the auto for trending -Practice, Practice, Practice And kudos for knowing when you need help! Many new EMT's have way too huge of an ego, and will make up a BP when they cannot hear one, which can be detrimental.

Those ducks were some of the coolest, most laid back ducks I've ever met. Plus the mallards had beautiful colors. If I had the room, I would get pet ducks.....again. I like to add other things from my photo expeditions to the set that is displayed. Many people tell me that they enjoy that as well. Plus, animals have been a regular feature on my photo sets for the duration I have been posting them. If you'd don't like it, tough. The animals (and other photos) are here to stay. Funny worded post though, lol. I did try to get a Baltimore Medic Supervisor truck, they are hot, but couldnt find any. Gonna try to get some more rigs next time I am down there.

Date: 5-3-05 Time:Approx 13:25hrs Location: Rte. 105 IAO Rte. 25 City/County:Riverhead, Suffolk County LI Writer: x635 Ambulance was enroute to hospital with patient w/ chest pain on board. Ambulance was apparently cut off by another vehicle and swerved, striking a tree. Severe damage to front and passenger side of ambulance, sadly, 2 EMT's (Or EMT & Paramedic) died and 2 others (the patient and the driver) were critically injured in this collision. No further information at this time. RIP. News article and additional information can be found on this thread: http://emtbravo.just5buckshosting.com/phpB...opic.php?t=4528

Watching the news today, I saw footage of a St Vincents (Manhattan) Hospital Type II van ambulance? Since when does St Vincents use vans? I thought St Vincents only used Type III's, either Brauns or Marques? What does St Vinny's currently have in its fleet? Anybody got photos?

After being brought to my attention by T4, I found out K-Rock (92.3 FM) has a new format. I really didn't notice, since I wasn't listening to K-Rock much anymore, because they played the same songs over and over, and on top of that, they played horrible, useless bands like "The Used", "The Killers" etc. Every now and then they'd have a "90's Weekend" at which time I would listen and like. But the rest of the time, same songs, same bands, repeatedly. After being quite skeptical of the new format first, I've been listening when I can. I actually like the new format. They play a nice mix of real rock songs, and throw in some of the 90's and retro rock quite often as well. Being WC's only fully recievable rock station, its the only and best game in town. And thankfully, they weren't taken over and didn't become yet ANOTHER spanish language station. (We used to have 107.1 and 92.7 as rock stations, then they both went wacky, then both turned spanish). The next K-Rock move I think will be interesting to see is how they do their mornings without Howard Stern in 2006. Hopefully it will be a good morning show, because I'd like something to listen to...I'm not a fan of Howard and I don't listen to his show. The only thing I wish is for NY to get a true metal station. But hopefully, I will be getting satellite radio soon, so radio will be good again I hope. Related link: www.krockradio.com

If you guys were a sandwich (by "you guys", I refer to those employed by WEMS), you'd be this:

I disagree. Career departments are there 24/7, when one shift goes off another comes on. As far as volunteers, they are supposed to be available 24/7 most of the time, but how many will you get, what training level, etc. Then there is the equipment issue. A large percentage of the young volunteers aspire to be career, or at least that is my impression. If more career spots open up, then why would young people be opposed to career? But that's a whole seperate issue...my point is the younger guys tend to support the better option when not influnced by the decade old thoughts of their elders. As far as 50% career goes, I betcha it will happen within the next 20 years. Though there are still several more remote areas in Westchester that may never see a career deparment , there are some that are heading in that direction. And when FD's can't get out the door, municpalities will have no choice but to pay FF's, and taxes will rise even more. The money is there now. Westchester can pay for all these luxuries, they sure as heck can pay for FF's!! I remember a time when municiplaities didn't want to pay for medics...in fact, they still don't want too!!! How many volly FF's has Westchester lost already because nobody can afford or wants to live around here anymore?? How many FD's are generational? That trend will continue into the future. But that's not the issue I am trying to bring to light....I'm trying to point out RESPONSE TIMES ARE CRITICAL!!! Ego's, tradition, and the term volunteer or career should not come into play, especially with something as essential as tech rescue. The question should be, how can we get the best trained people with the best and most equipment there the fastest way possible? It is a large county, there should be a north and south TR region, but how to we assure the above for both??? And again, do you really want to wait for a tech rescue or hazmat team to "assemble", or do you want them right away??? AND I'D LIKE TO ADD ONE MORE THING: If people continue putting band-aids and temporary fixes/distractions on things, then nothing is ever going to get resolved properly. If you have a problem, admit it so you can get help. It's nothing to be embarrased or ashamed of, especially when you are being proactive and not reactive.

If we do go plain english, hopefully we can at least keep "10-4". I mean that one is pretty much universal.

When I first heard of this tool, I was extremly skeptical of an elcetric powered extrication tool. But after seeing and getting to experience the Powerhawk, it has some really neat and unique features that, in some situations, give it an advantage over the tradtional hydraulic systems. It'll be interesting to see this tool do it's first couple of jobs.

I agree with many of the above points, but I'd like to pose a new question/rant of my own.... What about BLS providers that have no respect for ALS?? As much as it's hard for some people to stomach the following comment, there is a certain "pecking order" in this field, just like in a hospital. Just like in the hospital, you have the pecking order of ( from lowest to highest) medical student, housekeeper, support aide, tech, resident, nurse, NP/PA, and Doctor. This order is generally based on training and job duties, and commonly accepted. Well, the medic has considerbaly more and more intesnse training than the EMT, which should warrant a certain level of respect for the medic. And just because you have an ambulance does not make you BLS. Being BLS means you have been trained in skills and apply them properly during every call. Poor BLS skills are not the fault of medics on calls, nor are they always the fault of the EMT's themselves. They are often a sign of poor leadership,trainig and oversight, and often lack of interest in the field or the wrong reason for getting into the profession. Lack of experience, although experience is extremly helpful, should not be an excuse either. Your basic skills sets should be standard and muscle memory. If you're not going to function as part of the team and use your training, then you are not shwoing respect for other members. And being nice to people during calls in progress should not be an issue, just get the job done. Treat people nicely, but people should not have to be coddled. Again, there is a difference between an ambulance and BLS. BLS provides professional quality basic prehospital emergency care, while an ambulance provides a very loosely organzied and delviered service where the main priority is getting the bus out, not the care delivered. Which one are you? BLS is a neccesity, ALS is just a luxury, as I was taught by my Tac coworkers when I was a newbie. WAS and ALS made good points, and I'm not going to repeat or get into those.. Overall, respect is earned, and given by me on a case-by case basis.

Does anybody here have Sirius???? Whaddya think of them?

An unknown medical is generally stated because someboyd called third party for an ambulance, and does not know the specifics. Unfortunetly, I feel a large percentage of the time,it is because there are some poorly-skilled calltakers who do not pursue the information further, or do not take the time to listen or comprehend what the caller has to say.

My issue with technical rescue teams is equipment and response time. A volunteer unit is great,better than nothing, but how well equipped and how fast can these units respond? In addition, how fast can the equipment be mobilized to a scene, anywhere in the county. The same goes for the career departments, but not really a problem.....many who have the capabilties have the manpower on duty already, with equipment, trailers, or trucks ready to go within minutes, such as the Yonkers Collapse Unit. Technical rescue in my experience is not a game nor is it a hobby.....it is a critical, last resort option where somebody's live hangs in the balance, and time from the scene to the trauma center needs to be as short as possible. TR is also an extremly complicated, ever changing discipline that requires numerous hours of intense, focused training. Unlike Hazmat and Cause and Origin, every Tech Rescue incident has a human being directly involved and affected! If I am a Medic with somebody entrapped in a trench or other situation (and I've been there before), and the patient needed to be out 5 minutes ago, I don't want to be waiting for a team to be paged out,who is going to respond, and have to assemble, and worry about who's going to get the truck, etc etc. I want to know that truck is on the way ASAP. Maybe if people put some egos aside, something better could be intiated.Maybe having a dedicated, 24/7 staffed technical rescue and hazmat unit or company that responds from a central location, and then have a volunteer auxillary. Sometimes people in this business forget, ITS NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!!!! It's about the people we serve! Sometimes comprimise is a word many fail to understand. Aren't you and your families living in this county? And about the union comments. First off, sometimes we may not like to accept it, but maybe what the unions are doing is what they are supposed to do.....looking out for their members, and looking out for the public. As hard as it is to tolerate for some, and despite how harsh it is at times, why are some people so threatened by the union? Yeah, there is a lot of BS politics, yeah they may be a little harsh and unfriendly at times, but they seem to be able to get things done. And BTW, Pagano isn't doing this , there are many, many other people involved in developing the career technical rescue services teams. Why do people view them as the enemy, instead of as partners and allys??? Has anybody tried to bring themselves to the same level as them, IC, cert or otherwise? Has anybody considered their viewpoints, or has anybody tried to legitametly counteract or debate their options..or put together a better option??...AND THIS DOES NOT APPLY TO PAYCHECK VS VOLUNTEER....the preceeding comment applies to how effeiciently and quickly our services our delivered! Hasn't anyone considered we may need career FF's in this county more and more in the future due to the economy and changing going on in the WC, why can't we find a way for positive relations now?? Don't just oppose something without knowing the facts or because of past bad blood...theres no time or place for that in this job!!! Support whatever will be best for your people and your customers, because this isn't about you or what you will do with your time, end of story!! The main hurdle in the TR team is egos.....many of the younger guys like myself and those who I know really don't care about who does what, we just want to get the job done as best as possible, however it may be. It seems to me like many of our "elders" refuse to put aside their differences or comprimise to get things done., or refuse to let go of the past. To some of the elders...grow up! It sickens me to go to countys comprable to Westchester and see all the progressive things that goes on, and we have NOTHING in the WC to even compare too, and it all comes down to egos and petty, BS politics......again, why are we in this business? For us, or for the people we serve? Rant off.

For those who missed this awesome mini-series shown last year on ABC, it is now available on DVD: http://www.fire-police-ems.com/misc/dn1080.shtml Thumbs up to ABC for releasing it! Note: Two episodes feature OLM*EMS EMT and Forum Member FAC911.

RIP Paramedic Lev Naumov of Empress EMS, who was killed in a small plane crash on the afternoon of April 23, 2005 in Armonk, while recieving flight instruction.Lev was only 23 years old, and had just graduated Medic school last June. He thouroughly enjoyed working the EMS sytems of Yonkers, Mount Vernon, and Pelham, where he had been an EMT since 2001. Lev will be sorely missed by all who knew and worked with him. Lev was also a member of this forum, and an aspiring pilot who aimed to buy his own plane as overtime permitted. Thoughts and prayers are with you and your family and friends. Also RIP to his flight instructor who was with him, Isaac Negron

I feel GPS is a great tool to dispatch the closest available and capable unit to a scene. GPS should be THE gold standard in dispatching, and all agencies and systems should use it to some extent. District lines and stations should be a thing of the past.....it should go by who is closer, who is available, and who is capable in this county as tracked by GPS positioning. In addition, all ambulances should have duty crews. If you are unable to staff the ambulance for that shift, the ambulance logs out of service and the next closest unit gets sent automatically. Enough of borders, egos, and this and that. I understand that everybody has districts they are required to cover, but at what point are the district lines actually doing residents a disservice??? Also, instead of Chief's requesting spefic alarm assigments, Chiefs should request a 2nd alarm (with SC for water source or whatever) and get whoever is the closest, capable, and availabe unit as determined by GPS and not who invited who to what. Overall, GPS, coupled with an MDT and CAD, is a great tool for real-time dispatching and tracking apparatus, and I think its use in this county will improve service and response times to all citizens.