PFDRes47cue

A scenario us mainlanders don't have to worry or think about to often...if ever... Fires still spreading from Hawaii volcano Hawaii's Kilauea volcano erupts with greater fury Video: Hawaii Volcano's Stunning Eruption

OUTSTANDING!!!!

Bet a lot of people find this suitable for this topic... "I wish I had an answer to that, because I'm tired of answering that question." - Yogi Berra

Great points. I agree that ALS is often to heavily replied upon by BLS providers. But I do not think that the lack of ALS availability and the fact that a lot of BLS calls are going ALS is is anyone one level of cares fault. It is a combination of a lot of things. I know some EMT's that rely on ALS because of confidence/experience issues. I also know some ALS providers that make almost every call ALS for the same reason because they second guess themselves, or worry that perhaps they missed something, and the call could infact turn into an ALS call. And yes, Mount Pleasant does have nice proximity to hospitals...it is nice for a transport to take 3 minutes when you just jump on the parkway.

Agreed, this is a great discussion. I have always called in incidents that I have come across while transporting a pt to the ER. I have also always stopped while coming back from the ER and back in service when I have come across signs of distress. A lot of EMT-B students think that the material presented in the beginning of the course is "stupid" or "a waste of time." This is unfortunate because the information is very very very important to know and exercise properly. This is a topic for another thread and is by no means an attempt to "bash" any ALS providers. But I have noticed/heard of Paramedics riding calls that could go BLS and then having a true ALS call come in and no ALS be readily available. I also think this is due to a visible lack of confidence on the faces of new EMT's. ALS providers need to feel confident in the BLS providers and know that they are leaving the patient in good, capable hands.

Is this the same rule of thumb or law when you know you are going to a confirmed emergency and you come across someone. For example, if I am responding to a cardiac arrest and then get updated by PD on scene that it is a full code and CPR is in progress, but I get flagged down for someone on a bike path who skinned his/her knee, I will held responsible and charged with abandonment for continuing onto the full code ad not stopping to apply a piece of gauze and some tape? Or if you have a call for a stroke where symptoms began to occur say 30 minutes prior to the dispatch. You do not have much more of the left in the "Golden Hours" and while responding to get flagged down for a general malaise. If I stopped for the tummy ache and the stroke patient misses out on the "Golden Hour", the family of the stroke patient has no legal leverage on me? What about if I am transporting a patient to the ER and while doing so I come across an MVA or man down on the side of the road and no emergency personnel is on scene. Do I legally have to do anything other than report it? This is good to know. Thanks.

Yes, Fire/EMS are completely different in terms of leadership and how the scenes are run. As a EMS Lieutenant, I do see and agree with you that most of the work EMS Line Officers do is not related to medical training. However, in terms of ordering supplies, I have found that better supplies are ordered when the person doing the ordering personally understands the equipment and can relate its use to real life situations. That being said (and a minor point), I also still feel that is is important for EMS Line Officers to be medically trained. Besides the paperwork, and the mystery oil (which is everywhere!), and settling the (way to frequent) cat fights, anther important aspect is leadership/expertise in the back of the ambulance and on scene. Yes, radio communications, and scene management are very important, but it is also beneficial when on top of doing those things, the Line Officers are showing medical expertise to there members. I am a big believer of "If you are going to ask others to do things, make sure you can do them yourself." Asking EMT's to take calls and get my VAC's buses out is an easier task for me when they see me and the other Line Officers doing the same thing. (Disclaimer: This post is not related to my personal organizations, and ideas stated are my own. "Line Officers" is being used as a generic term, not one referring to the Line Officers of my FD's or VAC.)

I see exactly what you are saying. I did not quite understand the post I quoted. It made it seem like the focus of the sentence was having these things to gain access to the scene. I do agree that Chiefs need he radios, etc to be able to communicate properly but keep in mind that there are lots of FD's and counties that do not operate on the multiple frequencies and they get the job done fine with one radio. Of course things vary from place to place and FD to FD. I would hope that the departments that require their Chief's to use their own POV's are reimbursing for gas (especially when the Chief's are as active as the ones I deal with on a daily basis.) I am not positive that it is covered all the time. Stay safe as well.

I probably care just as much as everyone else. But it would definitely give me something to do and probably a laugh while I browse this site and laugh at some of the posts that have been written in which the poster would have made better use of his/her time by "sitting on the couch and staring at the wall." Not saying your post is pointless but, you really care how much other people care? I can almost say that there is about a one in a million chance that I will make a phone call because come to think of it I really do not care at all, and "sitting on the couch and staring at the wall" would probably infact be a better use of my time. But, if it turns out that this group is not legit and they sneak onto the scene of an incident and cause harm to fire or ems personnel, I sure will wish I had called and potentially uncovered some details that could have put an end to the group and avoided the unfortunate incident. Thanks for clearing that up. And I agree, I also highly doubt it they are legit...

Nice find...

An amazing story rises from the tragedy... Survivor pulled from Japan rubble after 8 days

I never saw a DC with light/siren until recently. I was sitting at a red light and saw a car come through the intersection (through the red light). the car had red dash lights and a siren (both of which were on). The care was a POV and was unmarked with the exception of a small half plate that I noticed under the front license plate. It read, "Deputy Chief" in big letters and the name of the department in small letters. My department uses a DC when all Chiefs are out of town (perhaps attending a conference). This is a past Chief... And, I don't think many places need more Chiefs . More firefighter is a different story.

I have found that your are not alone in thinking that. However, volunteer departments have them as well.

I also feel they should be allowed the perqs (within reason). As for your last sentence/point...What happens when the average member (firefighter) is 4 minutes away and has no dept vehicle, radio, or id? All good points Grumpy

Slightly off topic but..... What are the benefits of departments issuing vehicles to Chief's? Are there benefits or is it more of a "we have the money so why not" thing? There are a lot of departments that do not have Chiefs vehicles and the Chiefs use there personally owned vehicles. Departments seem to run/operate equally well with or without department issued Chief's vehicles.

Wouldn't driving he vehicle to work also technically be using the vehicle for monetary gain? I mean you are not losing gas money and while the vehicle is sitting in a lot all day, you are experiencing monetary gain at work.

There website says that they do EMS. I noticed that some of their costs are for air way management supplies, splints, oxygen, etc. I am curious to know who their medical director is. Also are they Part-800 compliant? I might place a call and see who I speak with...

I would really like to find out if this is a legit organization. If so, I am interested to know exactly what they do, how they get dispatched or requested, there equipment, there officials (Chief, Captain, etc), by-laws. If they are not legitimate, I find is very scary that they are making it inside the fire line so easily. With all the nut jobs out there today, I personal want to be able to trust every person inside the tape and trust that they are all there for a legitimate reason. When I searched the forums for NYRRT, three threads came up. One thread about 9-11 included NYRRT. Apparently one member of this site was affiliated with NYRRT-1 in Albany...not sure if this is the same thing. If so, perhaps the member can provide us with some insight.

Thats some smack. Glad to see the PO's were unharmed.

such as....a personal work car?

deleted to avoid confusion

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Date: 3-16-2011 Time: 23:38 Location 179–11 143rd Rd. (Laurelton) Frequency: FDNY Queens Dispatch Units Operating: FDNY Queens Weather Conditions: Chilly Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 2.5-story frame peaked roof 20x40 PD. Fire on the #1 and #2 floors.2nd Alarm transmitted for fire extending into the basement and attic. 3 L/S/O. Fire placed U/C @ 00:12. Reporters/Writer: PFDRes47cue Box Assignment: Engine 311, 314, 302 Tower Ladder 158, 155 Battalion 54 10-75 Assignment: Ladder 165 (F.A.S.T.) Engine 317 Rescue 4 Squad 270 Battalion 51 Division 13 Additional Engine & Truck: Engine 275 Ladder 133 2nd Alarm Assignment: Engine 303, 308, 301 Ladder 126 Engine 324 w/ Satellite 4 Battalion 50 "Safety Battalion" Battalion 53 "Resource Unit Leader" Rescue Battalion Safety Battalion Fieldcom 1 Tactical Support Unit #2 Command Tactical Unit

Date: 3-16-2011 Time: 03:00 Location: 82 Fox Street Frequency: Waterbury Dispatch Units Operating: Waterbury FD; Weather Conditions: Chilly Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 3-story OMD. Fire originated on the #3 floor. 32-year old male resident was found in his bedroom on the #3 floor and was pronounce dead at Waterbury Hospital at 04:00. Fire started on the #3 floor in a room adjacent to bedroom the victim was found in. Reporters: PFDRes47cue Writer: PFDRes47cue *Waterbury FD was operating at another fire at the time of this fire. I/A for the first fire.*

Date: 3-16-2011 Time: 02:17 Location: Oakville Street "Hilltop Towers" Frequency: Waterbury Dispatch Units Operating: Waterbury FD; Weather Conditions: Chilly Description Of Incident: Working fire in a 4-story apartment building. Building has 75 units. Fire originated on the #4 floor and roof. 20 residents were displaced by the fire. Reporters: PFDRes47cue Writer: PFDRes47cue *Waterbury FD was dispatched to a second working fire while operating at this fire. I/A for the second fire.*