v85

I don't think EDP is a pejorative or derogatory term either. Especially when you consider how the term came about. Also, like velcroMedic said, what is the alternative term? "mentally ill person" that isn't accurate as there are people who display emotional disturbance because of medical conditions (TBI, brain tumors etc) or developmental disabilities or extreme stress that don't meet the criteria to be termed "mentally ill."
As far as why emergency services personnel are hesitant to seek help, I think it has a lot more to do with the very real negative consequences on the job (i.e. desk duty, rubber gun squad, forced retirement, problems when taking psych evals for other jobs down the line). I'm not sure how to fix the issues with this though.
To the broader issue of an ineffective mental health system, there is an answer to that, just not one anyone wants to hear (increased use of hospitializations and institutionalizations of severely or dangerously ill persons)

I don't think EDP is a pejorative or derogatory term either. Especially when you consider how the term came about. Also, like velcroMedic said, what is the alternative term? "mentally ill person" that isn't accurate as there are people who display emotional disturbance because of medical conditions (TBI, brain tumors etc) or developmental disabilities or extreme stress that don't meet the criteria to be termed "mentally ill."
As far as why emergency services personnel are hesitant to seek help, I think it has a lot more to do with the very real negative consequences on the job (i.e. desk duty, rubber gun squad, forced retirement, problems when taking psych evals for other jobs down the line). I'm not sure how to fix the issues with this though.
To the broader issue of an ineffective mental health system, there is an answer to that, just not one anyone wants to hear (increased use of hospitializations and institutionalizations of severely or dangerously ill persons)

I think it has an NFPA diamond hazmat symbol on the back roll up door of the truck

What if they weren't dispatched, but asked the IC/ other person in authority if they could help and were told 'yes'? Maybe not so much with the fire service but it happens in police work all the time (i.e. a trooper drives by a local officer or deputy on a car stop and stays to help or provide backup)
Also, if they were allowed to tag in, wouldn't the officers who arrested them check with the IC first before making any arrests or expelling anyone from the scene?

I think the money plays a pretty big role in it.
For example, what is a small ambulance corps to do that doesn't have enough volunteers to cover a call, but doesn't have the population or volume to pay for 2 paid EMTs every day?
I know the answer in that case is really consolidation, but until that happens, isn't it better to at least have 1 trained responder to assess and start treatment before the crew arrives than to have nothing, or farming the task off on another service (like PD)

I think the money plays a pretty big role in it.
For example, what is a small ambulance corps to do that doesn't have enough volunteers to cover a call, but doesn't have the population or volume to pay for 2 paid EMTs every day?
I know the answer in that case is really consolidation, but until that happens, isn't it better to at least have 1 trained responder to assess and start treatment before the crew arrives than to have nothing, or farming the task off on another service (like PD)

Right, because doors can't be breached. , And in this case, that window next to it renders the device pointless.
How about teachers leave the emergency response to the professionals

Right, because doors can't be breached. , And in this case, that window next to it renders the device pointless.
How about teachers leave the emergency response to the professionals

It could be a lot of things. It could have been, like mentioned, a high profile inmate; or one who needed to be in court NOW for whatever reason. It could also have been an inmate having a medical emergency. Depending on the security risks and what was wrong, it might be preferable to go code to the hospital , rather than wait for EMS.

It could be a lot of things. It could have been, like mentioned, a high profile inmate; or one who needed to be in court NOW for whatever reason. It could also have been an inmate having a medical emergency. Depending on the security risks and what was wrong, it might be preferable to go code to the hospital , rather than wait for EMS.

I didn't said the department "relies" on 18 and 19 year old firefighters to get rigs on the road; but if the choice is getting 10 firefighters out and having to call 3 departments for mutual aid or getting 17 firefighters and only needing one mutual aid department. I would take the most firefighters I can get from my own agency

No, the meters are pretty much for situations where we get the call as a "general illness" and find the whole family is sick and things like that. The protocol is pretty much if the meters go off, rapid evacuation/extrication and call for FD

No, the meters are pretty much for situations where we get the call as a "general illness" and find the whole family is sick and things like that. The protocol is pretty much if the meters go off, rapid evacuation/extrication and call for FD

What is the evidence?
If that is true, that means a fire department is committing a federal felony. Statements like that need to be backed up

No, the meters are pretty much for situations where we get the call as a "general illness" and find the whole family is sick and things like that. The protocol is pretty much if the meters go off, rapid evacuation/extrication and call for FD

What is the evidence?
If that is true, that means a fire department is committing a federal felony. Statements like that need to be backed up

Or maybe they wanted that Engine to be replaced anyway and are looking for a convienent excuse

The other thing to keep in mind here is the fact that according to the article he was trained and qualified by Mobile Life to drive an ambulance. It's not like he had never done it before.
That should be considered a mitigating factor.

It won't be the first or the last, but it should give pause to those who think that privatization is the cure all for budget ills.

So maybe this is a good thing.

It won't be the first or the last, but it should give pause to those who think that privatization is the cure all for budget ills.

I do see both sides of the argument.
Having trainings and certifications is important, and elections are in many cases a popularity contest. However, there are plenty of people out there who are very book-smart and can amass binders full of certificates and take tests well, but who have zero business being in any kind of leadership role, either because of their inability to apply their knowledge in the field or because of their personalities.
Wouldn't an officer who took all of the required classes and passed any required tests, but has no "street-smarts" and doesn't have the respect of his subordinates be just as bad as the situation we have today.

I do see both sides of the argument.
Having trainings and certifications is important, and elections are in many cases a popularity contest. However, there are plenty of people out there who are very book-smart and can amass binders full of certificates and take tests well, but who have zero business being in any kind of leadership role, either because of their inability to apply their knowledge in the field or because of their personalities.
Wouldn't an officer who took all of the required classes and passed any required tests, but has no "street-smarts" and doesn't have the respect of his subordinates be just as bad as the situation we have today.

It won't be the first or the last, but it should give pause to those who think that privatization is the cure all for budget ills.

I think for some, everyone in the emergency services organization going home safe counts.
Other than that, short of a few situations (rescuing someone from a fire, a CPR save, catching violent criminals in the act) it is hard to measure outcomes, because the incident started before emergency services arrived.
For example, if someone's house is on fire and does $10,000 worth of damage, that is pretty bad; but if you are able to contain it to a room and contents, save the overall structure, protect exposures, get the pets out safe and manage to not get hurt yourself, I think that qualifies. You could also look at how "smoothly" the incident went and if all procedures were followed.
Also, what do you mean that emergency services don't have critiques outside of EMS. After most major incidents most agencies do hold after-action reviews and tactical debriefings.