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I found this excellent editorial (one of many contained on www.firefighterclosecalls.com) . Really has some good, pertinent points in the article and definetly worth the read. =D> Article by Chief Billy G.,"The Secret List" www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com www.FirefighterCloseCalls.com

Unfortunetly, EMS is one of the lowest priorities to politicians in this county, wheter it be on the local or county level of goverment. As has been said before on this forum, politicians are reactive. Just like it took that big "scandal" at fire control to SLOWLY and eventually start to change the County DES into what it is now, it's probaly going to take another big one to even make a small dent into the EMS issues. Trained, proffessionally-appearing, well equipped EMS personel arriving within a reasonable time......WHY IS THAT SO HARD? And while I'm at it, why cant we dispatch via GPS/closest available unit instead of "district"? Interesting article on FOOPS.org to supplement the above article: Cable Service Appointments vs. Response Times: Are we missing the point? From the above article:

I agree with the points in this article. It's definetly not worth it to go blasting to calls, the risks FAR outweigh the benefits in most cases. Theres way too much traffic, liability issues,job issues and media predators out there. But then again, theres the response time issues if you don't. My opinion, I'd rather be safe then sorry. If a response time issue is an excuse for "blasting" to calls, then it's the system that needs to be changed, not the driver.

I actually used this drug today (Natrcor-Nesitiride) I found it interesting that upon arrival at WMC, they did not carry the drug and the patients theraputic course would have to be discontinued, although it was found to be very effective on the patient. Also, I learned later that WMC had a clinic for this drug, but, along with many other things, was cut and closed. In regards to drawing bloods, I see 5-10 years down the line, with the advances in technology in the lab field, EMS being able to run some basic pertinent labs in the field and getting the results prior to hospital arrival.

Unfortunetly, no matter how much public education there is, denial and macho-ism will still alway be prevalent, leading to more muscle loss, especially in firefighters.

There are several disaptcher certification curriculums from APCO. I'm not saying the class has to be long and drawn out, but there are several things that should be covered to provide a solid foundation in which agencies can build off of. Introduction to Fire, EMS and/or PD:(not all come from the background), Caller interviewing and information gathering techniques, voice lessons (lol), managing multiple units and calls, dealing with equipment failures, E911 consoles (plant equipment is pretty much universal in NYS),EMD,......and practical skills using simulators. I've got to go now, but the list can go on and on. Thumbs up to the Telecommunicator Certification.

To further my point: I think both first response, ambulance, and medic on scene times should be monitored, evaluated, and tracked seperately. What good is care rendered if your are waiting 20-30 minutes (hypothetically) for an ambulance, especially if it is a trauma or stroke, especially considering some transport times from more remote areas? IMHO,a capable first response unit, promptly arriving,properly staffed and well trained BLS transport unit, a well trained,staffed and equipped Medic Unit arriving in a reasonable time should be the definitive on scene times that we look at when determing a systems efficiency. Joe schmo arriving on scene with no training or equipment should not stop the clock.

The above post brings up another thought to mind.........should a dispatcher be a certification, just like an EMT, Firefighter, or Police Officer is certified in their profession???? I think so, Dispatching is a profesion nowadays...and should be treated as one.

Well, maybe not such in Yonkers,where SSM and staffed buses allow for a target <8 minute response time 98% of the time, but in other areas of the county, there are very poor response times (AKA "Third Tone For A Driver" or the city will only pay for one ambulance...not only a Westchester exclusive problem though)but considering where the acceptable level should be for a county as populous and wealthy as Westchester. As far as the doctoring times go, some agencies (and people) still do it NATIONWIDE. Whether its to hide the problem (Which, IMO, by doing that harms the public....as politicians are reactive, poor response times may equal better funding or improved EMS legislation and leadership. Well, I can hope, cant I?) Or some agencies just use clockstoppers, whether it be a flycar or medic on scene. IMO, response time should be determined by when the AMBULANCE arrives.

I was leaving to go to a job when I saw the footage on "News" 12, but did I see TL-15 there?

Just thought I'd let you all know that A&E has changed the timeslot for the Third Watch reruns. Whereas it used to be on at 2300hrs, it now can be seen Monday-Friday at 1100 (AM) and 1700hrs (PM).It appears it will be the same episode shown twice a day, starting with the pilot, "Welcome To Camelot", which was shown today. Crossing Jordan now fills the Third Watch 2300hrs slot. :roll:

Interesting Article. One thing mentioned is that due to the black eye Zackheim gave Metrocare, all Metrocare ambulances are going to be repainted to the Transcare paint scheme and labeling.

Well, another awesome Katonah Parade despite the heat! 80 Photos are submitted and now posted,www.emtbravo.com Be sure to check out both pages.

I caught the episode on at 11am today, and it's an earlier one from the first season. I forgot how great the first season was. Alot more realistic,entertaining, and "in touch", compared to the most recent episodes we've been seeing.

Photos here: http://www.incendie.com/Reportages/200406/...a_Mvc-001s1.jpg

So, anyone remember who the Westchester area dealer for Macks were and where they were located? Also, while I'm on the subject, how about the Maxim dealer?

And Hartsdale too. :paper:

(Original Photographer Unknown/Unidentifiable. Circa Late '70s and in the collection of HFD-V.) Here's Hartsdale's Ladder 47. Hartsdale had another one exactly like this at the same time, Ladder 46. Another classic that should've been kept, IMO. I really liked this piece. Thanks for HFD211 for locating a picture of the old Ladder, I've been looking around for one for awhile.

Here's a thought: Try explaining how the 911 PSPAP system works in Westchester County to someone unfamiliar with the system.

Check out the Fishkill Parade Apparatus Photos, 123 of them,they can be found in the Photo Gallery section of www.nycfire.net ............Some very interesting and rare-to-the-web apparatus. Photos by tbendick, www.nycfire.net Quite a few rigs from WC on there as well.

For all you Third Watch fans, when NBC announced it's new schedule this week, it was confirmed that Third Watch will return to its Friday timeslot for the sixth season. From a news story I found online: Personally, I enjoy the reruns shown sporadically on A and E at 11pm more. I'm curious to see what they do with the medics and FF's this upcoming season. However, A and E barely shows repeats, and there schedule through the month of June shows the 11pm and 3am timeslots fading away.....add that to NBC, which doesnt like to show reruns of the show. Let's hope for a DVD,lol!

Photos from this event were submitted to EMTBravo.com and are now posted. www.emtbravo.com