Mark Z

It seems to me that, if they tear up the arbitration panels, they tear up the no-strike deal too; they can't have it both ways. Fair binding arbitration is what you have to have for a no-strike deal to be possible. Firefighters in the UK can and do strike for this very reason - when they strike, the army is called in to provide cover for serious incidents.

I am sure that Mr. Feiner does indeed want it both ways, I am quite sure if you asked him he would be shocked at the idea of having to give up the no strike clause in the contract.

Gee, you mean people were allowed to have a sense of humour way back then????????

Consolidation is something that given overburdened towns and village budgets needs to happen in many places, I live in a town of five separate fire companies complete with chiefs and all. I don't see why there needs to be more than one fire/ems organization in each town and in most places a county authority would make more sense. I bet most of the complaints are nothing more than chiefs trying to preserve their little kingdom, history has shown us that it will take quite a bit of work and a rare leader to overcome this problem.

Actually, you'd be suprised at the people who read this forum. And the post to the "masses" may cause some Medics and others to think.

This is why ER nurses need to be involved in call audits as well. I've also noticed that you earn a reputation with ER nurses and MD's. The better the medic you are, the better you are treated and the better you reputation with the hospital and your co-workers. Everyone knows who the lazy medics are, and who come across with an unprofessional image. Much of that is the lack of EMT's and Medics and the compensation. Down here, a Medic in my county STARTS at $60,000 a year and are civil service with 20 year retirement. But that ambulance is ALWAYS shining and the medics ALWAYS look military sharp. And, they are held to HIGH standards in all they do. You get what you pay for.

Also, working in a busy city ER as an EMT for several years myself, you really get to know the patient well and see the outcomes. And you really can see the difference a good or bad medic team makes.

As an EMS provider, you're not only making an impression on yourself, the ER nurse, and the patient, but also family, bystanders, etc. Sometimes just being nice and respectful to the patient and communicating with the family is all the patient care you need. If you know the person doesn't need a cardiac monitor or whatever else (not drug wise) but the family asks, what's the harm with putting on the monitor? Or starting the IV to save the ER staff time so the patient can be treated quicker?

Much of the blame here should be placed on EMS agencies. Many don't (or don't have the funding) for proper quality improvement and insurance on the customer service side. Many don't focus on the patient's experience with the provider, and only have the time/money for reviewing patient care reports as required.

I agree that QI is not given the importance it should be everywhere but there is much that can be done that doesn't require funding. I am posting this link to the Medic 999 Blog because he is far more eloquent than I am.

Any idea what that thing is?

I am very proud to announce that Wassaic CFR and Firefighter Jason Dean has been chosen as the Dutchess County Basic Life Support Provider of the Year for 2009. Jason is the most dedicated young member I have seen enter our service since I have been a member (1982). In 2009 he ran the most calls for us, both fire and EMS. As a first responder he did something three times in 2009 that most responders may not do in their entire career and that is to revive victims that were either in cardiac arrest (2) or respiratory arrest (1). He truly was the difference for these three victims, one being his best friend and fellow Wassaic Fire Company member Andy Butts. Jason is getting married on May 29, 2010 and it's fitting that Andy is his best man. Jason also is a few weeks away from completing the EMT class.

Jason is a member here, WassaicFF.

So Jason, thanks brother, I am proud of you and honored to have you as a friend, co-worker and member of our company, you truly represent the all of us well, THANK YOU!!!!!!!

Jason receiving an award from the Butts family recently at Andy's 28th birthday, where he usually is, at the front of the line, opening up a hood at FF I class, doing search and rescue training during the recent NYS Passenger Train Emergency Procedures class, with his fiance Crystal and at cold water ice rescue class.

Congratulations!

I would mention some of the members of the FDNL I know, but don't want to damage their reputations! They are overall a hardworking bunch and I won't fault their skills as firefighters. I live in New London and if I was twenty years younger would love to be taking the test. I would definetely go for it.

Here is an updated pic of the rescue just needs the lettering and decals and it's complete.

Looks Good!

I know I have pissed off a dispatcher a time or two, three, four. . . . , but I can only recall once where I actually set out to piss off a dispatcher! I will plead young age and stupidity and throw myself on the mercy of the court ! But why would you set out to piss off the dispatcher except in a bout of temporary insanity!

Good to know that the officer was not seriously injured.

Yeah, what he said!

If they are blowing off the first page, then they are in the wrong business and have no worth to me on the fire scene. Its that attitude, "its a bs call thats a waste of my time," that causes a rift in the service between members of the department, members of surrounding departments, and paid and volunteer members. I can just hear paid guys snickering at that comment PEMO3(this is not turning into a paid bs volly debate).

Either show up on the first call, or leave your sorry a** on the couch at home because I don't want you there.

Often I leave home and by the time I am on scene or sometimes even just close I hear the OIC placing the call under control and returning units, so it may be simply that some people just turn around and head home because they really don't care about how many calls they get credit for making. I know that I am of an age where I don't chase calls across town, so having a second tone for a working fire is often a good idea and might get some to make an effort to get to the scene and pitch in to help rather than deal with cross town traffic for what may be nothing.

Empress is a company that has rebounded many times before. In fact, it's resisted mergers offers and selling to another company and is still standing. They do what's right the best they can when they can. They've respectfully and honestly gained and earned many contracts, and unfortunetly, some have been stolen due to other shady companies and politics. And they've NEVER trashed other companies employees to make an example to sway their own employees.

A lot of people can talk bad about Empress, and complain while they are there, but when you look back at it, they are one of the best commercial EMS companies out there. They are the company responsible for many EMS "firsts" in the County for many years, including the very succesful Westchester EMS conference, EMD, GPS tracking, EMS Special Operations Division (in Westchester), Stat Flight, etc.

Many people have gone on to great careers that started at Empress, including mine. And, to this day, Empress is still there for me if I need them. It truly is a family and part of your blood once you've worked there. I know more people that have good memories of Empress then bad.

I'd send in that application, and ignore the critics. Who knows what the future holds for Empress, but do everything not to miss out.

It tells me more about you than the company that you posted the words you did, but it does tell me that they can inspire loyalty in good people and that says alot!

This is what the contract that Yorktown Adavanced Life Support District designed and Empress is bound by. Empress is simply meeting the terms of a contract.

Empress has the capbility of paging a third medic, or having a third medic going out during shift change. Between 8P and 8A, the contract states the Empress must have the capability of paging out a second medic to come into work.

The Yorktown ALS District flycar is centrally located within the town. Having two flycars would add significant cost to the taxpayers- another vehicle, maintainence, gas, housing for the medic, etc. Both agencies (YVAC,Mohegan) call volumes have grown tremendously since the inception of the flycar program. But, all this is determined by the ALS District Board that meets every month and it's their decision basic on statisics and other factors as to what works and what they can afford-it does affect taxes.

Empress owns the flycar and is reponsible for equipping it (I'm pretty sure) and is required to replace it at certain intervals.

Because it's Westchester County, and nobody can operate on the same frequencies. Interopertability!!! Isn't that a bad word? You have the YVAC frequency, Yorktown Police, Mohegan Fire, 60 Control, and Empress EMS radios. As for the radios being seperate, it's easier to swap out if one goes down.

Because it totally SUCKS when the single radio with all the channels goes down in the middle of the **** hitting the fan! I have had to deal with a comms failure in the middle of trying to pin down the location of a cardiac arrest and it was in the days before cell phones were widely available for personal use so no I couldn't just grab my cell! I would never have a unit without at least 2 radios in it! Yes, three would be nice! BTW, I like the truck and wish them good luck with it!

Whether the keys were in it shouldn't matter. The fact an EMS vehicle was stolen should be considered an aggravating factor in any criminal charges that are filed, and the defense attorney shouldn't be allowed to use the fact keys were in the vehicle to help his client escape any part of the penalty.

Nice looking vehicle, what will it be used for? R-1?

10 calls minimum with another EMT in the back with them and then it goes to the Chief (FD) who makes the decision to clear you but it is pretty close to automatic at that point. which says more about how well they are trained then it sounds. I only know of one person who needed more than ten calls and a couple who might have been cleared with less but did the ten anyway.

If nothing else, I'm glad that I'm not the only one this drives NUTS!

WELL here it goes here are some pictures of the new rig it is a Spartan Furion cab and chassis and a body built by EVI and yes it is short due to fd hq limitations. should be here in May

I like it!

Hello.

Im from Florida. I'm in the military. I'm also part of a volunteer fire company. I was wondering can I get my own VFF badge without having to worry about the laws and what not ? I'll really appreciate the input.

Thanks.

One of the things you will learn is that things like badges aren't as important as having a reputation as somebody who can be counted upon in a pinch. Badges aren't as important as having a reputation of somebody willing to pitch in when the work needs to be done. Badges aren't as important as having a reputation of being willing to learn from those more experienced. Badges aren't important because it takes more than a piece of tin to make you a firefighter. And always be willing to worry about the rules because they are important. I wouldn't worry about a badge because there is much to learn and the badge won't do much to teach you but flash it the wrong place or the wrong time and you may wish they never gave it to you.

Hats Off to RRFD for some real creative thinking and work!

Honestly I don't think the color of the lights matter, they ignore them all unless it is a vehicle that will give them a ticket! People just don't care and for the time they save you why even bother to use lights? (blue, green) If those few seconds really count then people deserve in house crews.

OUCH! Welcome to the modern era of doing without, the era of doing more with less is over! My guess is that about half that number will actually get cut. None will be in Manhattan and none will be in wealthy neighbor hoods.

. . . . It will have to prove itself though before LACoFD buys it. . . .

I will admit it is an interesting looking machine, but I have to agree with Seth, it will have to prove itself. In the current economic climate if it starts to have problems it may never live it down. I want to see how it holds up in service for a couple of years before I would risk any budget money on it!

Why would the name continue to have "Volunteer" in it? It is deceptive and an insult to actual volunteer agencies......

It is just like a couple of the old fire companies that say Steam Engine Co # whatever, it will be more a hat tip to the past than a statement of fact! Plus if I was BVAC I would keep the name for the goodwill factor instead of people wondering why you came in and took over questions, which you would never hear 90% of asked out loud. I also am assuming that BVAC still has to do fundraising? There are alot of reasons why a name change isn't neccessary and not even advisable, I came up with these reasons in just a couple of minutes, I bet BVAC probably has plenty more than I can come up with!

Congratulations to BVAC!

I found this on another forum and hope it is OK to post here.

BC King - St. Baldricks

The New Haven County Firefighters Emerald Society is hosting our annual St. Baldricks fundraiser in February. Many of the guys in the Society are getting our heads shaved to raise funds for childrens' cancer research.

Now I can hear the guys who know me say " Yea, he can shave with a tweezer!"

I'm raising money by the strand, not the pound!

Please help by donating to a tremendous cause.

thanks

jk __________________

John King

West Batt. Chief

New Haven Fire Dept.

The St Baldrick's Foundation can be found on the net HERE