joetnymedic

Hang in there Bryan, Get Well....
http://aol.sportingnews.com/mlb/story/2011-06-20/giants-fan-beating-suspect-up-for-parole-hearing?icid=main%7Chtmlws-main-n%7Cdl8%7Csec3_lnk1%7C216476

we went thru this in the hollow when i was there. back in 2001 and beginning of 2002 we relied heavily on tarrytown for ambulance coverage. there was a small core group of volunteers that tried to get the rig out, but unfortunately that didn't always happen. i look fondly at my days in westchester county as well as the days i volunteered with sleepy. thru recruitment, and getting new equipment and a few other things the ambulance turned around and response times picked up too. there were times when the medic had to be taken out of service to ride in a bls call too. but things did change. i am still proud to call many of those vollys my friends. that all said, back then the same problem existed, people had to work to put food on the table and a roof over their heads. some people, myself included had to work 2 jobs to make ends meet. now a days with the way the economy is, it's even more so. unfortunateky this is the trend. as you all no doubt know and realize, volunteers are getting harder and harder to find. the other growing trend is paid staffing at least from 6a-6p or 7a-7p, that's just the nature of the beast. north branford up here in ct just went through this. now the way it is, is there is a paid crew days and they respond, if a second call comes in they tone out the volly crew, if they cant get one together it goes to m/a. even though there are a percentage of calls that do roll over for coverage, the majority of calls are handled without having to take resources from another agency, its sad but it has to happen. Croton is going to have to go with paid staffing days whether it be in house or thru an outside agency. that staffing is going to cost money and unfortunately, people are going to see it in their tax bills and are most likely going to complain about it. but it has to be looked at this way, ems is an essential service, you need it no if ands or buts about it, yes its going to cost a few bucks which nobody really has these days, but look at all the days the volunteers did keep things going for pennies on a tax bill. they have that to be thankful for also, while staffing days, its still cheaper in the long run than 24 hour coverage. the other thing is they could get an outside agency to cover and that outside agency bill for services, but thats going to cost the people in town alot more money in the long run.
just my 2 cents
joe

ok here's what i got. plane went down area of 113 kings street, best access was from rt 22. plane was down in the woods with heavy smoke and 1 doa on board. thats all i got for ya othere than it was appearently in west harrisons neck of the woods per the page I got

ok here's what i got. plane went down area of 113 kings street, best access was from rt 22. plane was down in the woods with heavy smoke and 1 doa on board. thats all i got for ya othere than it was appearently in west harrisons neck of the woods per the page I got

I was part of the crew who worked the split in Sleepy Hollow back in 2001 with Todd (Todd please sound off on this too). Where the split with the FD was amicible, as the split from the PD was later, Somers needs to look at a few things before they jump into the fire. First, you will have to pay for insurance, then Somers is going to have to support the ambulance until it really starts generating revenue. Until they do start generating cash, they are going to wind up being a line item on the budget, that budget money is going to have to come from somewhere. Then you are going to have to have funding in place for equipment, repairs, supplies. If I remember correctly, it was projected that the ambulance in the hollow wouldn't even start generating enough cash to hold it's head above water for somewhere between 2-5 years. Then you are going to have to do alot with billing. You are going to be placing alot on your volunteers. Who is going to actually do the billing? Are you going to directly hire an employee to handle billing? Are you going to hire a company? This stuff isn't free. Then you also have to justify the transport most of the time or you won't get paid for the call. You are going to have to have outright clesses so that the neccesary wording is there. Then, if you can't get insurance info on your patient right away, are you going to pay someone to go back to the hospital to get the proper billing information? Thats alot of responsibility to lay on a volunteer. Then you also run into staffing problems. Last I knew Westchester EMS was backup for Somers during the day, is that going to remain in effect? If you are going to run a true for pay service, you're going to need to make sure things are staffed 24/7/365. Maybe they did check into things, maybe they didn't. All I know is alot of work has to go into things and it is not going to be all peaches and cream for some time down the road. Good luck with your efforts however.
Joe

I was part of the crew who worked the split in Sleepy Hollow back in 2001 with Todd (Todd please sound off on this too). Where the split with the FD was amicible, as the split from the PD was later, Somers needs to look at a few things before they jump into the fire. First, you will have to pay for insurance, then Somers is going to have to support the ambulance until it really starts generating revenue. Until they do start generating cash, they are going to wind up being a line item on the budget, that budget money is going to have to come from somewhere. Then you are going to have to have funding in place for equipment, repairs, supplies. If I remember correctly, it was projected that the ambulance in the hollow wouldn't even start generating enough cash to hold it's head above water for somewhere between 2-5 years. Then you are going to have to do alot with billing. You are going to be placing alot on your volunteers. Who is going to actually do the billing? Are you going to directly hire an employee to handle billing? Are you going to hire a company? This stuff isn't free. Then you also have to justify the transport most of the time or you won't get paid for the call. You are going to have to have outright clesses so that the neccesary wording is there. Then, if you can't get insurance info on your patient right away, are you going to pay someone to go back to the hospital to get the proper billing information? Thats alot of responsibility to lay on a volunteer. Then you also run into staffing problems. Last I knew Westchester EMS was backup for Somers during the day, is that going to remain in effect? If you are going to run a true for pay service, you're going to need to make sure things are staffed 24/7/365. Maybe they did check into things, maybe they didn't. All I know is alot of work has to go into things and it is not going to be all peaches and cream for some time down the road. Good luck with your efforts however.
Joe

Hi All,
I was just going thru some old stuff and came across an old poem/storie I wanted to share with each and every one of you. I'm sure you have all seen this one before, but I remembered it and liked it and wanted to share. Before I put it up for all to see, I just wanted to say to each and every one of you - Stay Safe out there.
Joe
When God made paramedics, He was into His sixth day of overtime.
An angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?
A Paramedic has to be able to carry an injured person up a wet, grassy hill in the dark,
dodge stray bullets to reach a dying child unarmed,
enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch,
and not wrinkle his uniform."
"He has to be able to lift three times his own weight.
Crawl into wrecked cars with barely enough room to move,
and console a grieving mother as
he is doing CPR on a baby he knows will never breathe again."
"He has to be in top mental condition at all times,
running on no sleep, black coffee and half-eaten meals,
and he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God replied.
"It's the three pairs of eyes a medic has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
God nodded. "One pair that sees open sores as he's drawing blood,
always wondering if the patient is HIV positive."
(When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job)
"Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety.
And another pair of eyes here in front
that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say,
"You'll be alright ma'am when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," God replied.
"I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound
drunk out from behind a steering wheel
without incident and feed a family of five on a private service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the Paramedic very slowly.
"Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet", God said.
"It can tell you the symptoms of 100 illnesses;
recite drug calculations in it's sleep;
intubate, defibrillate, medicate, and continue CPR
nonstop over terrain that any doctor would fear...
and it still keeps it's sense of humor."
"This medic also has phenomenal personal control.
He can deal with a multi-victim trauma,
coax a frightened elderly person to unlock their door,
comfort a murder victim's family,
and then read in the daily paper how Paramedics were
unable to locate a house quickly enough,
allowing the person to die.
A house that had no street sign, no house numbers, no phone to call back."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Paramedic.
"There's a leak," she pronounced.
"I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," God replied, "It's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled up emotions,
for patients they've tried in vain to save,
for commitment to that hope
that they will make a difference in a person's chance to survive, for life."
"You're a genius!" said the angel.
God looked somber.
"I DIDN'T PUT IT THERE" He said.
Author Unknown

Hi All,
I was just going thru some old stuff and came across an old poem/storie I wanted to share with each and every one of you. I'm sure you have all seen this one before, but I remembered it and liked it and wanted to share. Before I put it up for all to see, I just wanted to say to each and every one of you - Stay Safe out there.
Joe
When God made paramedics, He was into His sixth day of overtime.
An angel appeared and said, "You're doing a lot of fiddling around on this one."
God said, "Have you read the specs on this order?
A Paramedic has to be able to carry an injured person up a wet, grassy hill in the dark,
dodge stray bullets to reach a dying child unarmed,
enter homes the health inspector wouldn't touch,
and not wrinkle his uniform."
"He has to be able to lift three times his own weight.
Crawl into wrecked cars with barely enough room to move,
and console a grieving mother as
he is doing CPR on a baby he knows will never breathe again."
"He has to be in top mental condition at all times,
running on no sleep, black coffee and half-eaten meals,
and he has to have six pairs of hands."
The angel shook her head slowly and said, "Six pairs of hands...no way."
"It's not the hands that are causing me problems," God replied.
"It's the three pairs of eyes a medic has to have."
"That's on the standard model?" asked the angel.
God nodded. "One pair that sees open sores as he's drawing blood,
always wondering if the patient is HIV positive."
(When he already knows and wishes he'd taken that accounting job)
"Another pair here in the side of his head for his partner's safety.
And another pair of eyes here in front
that can look reassuringly at a bleeding victim and say,
"You'll be alright ma'am when he knows it isn't so."
"Lord," said the angel, touching His sleeve, "rest and work on this tomorrow."
"I can't," God replied.
"I already have a model that can talk a 250 pound
drunk out from behind a steering wheel
without incident and feed a family of five on a private service paycheck."
The angel circled the model of the Paramedic very slowly.
"Can it think?" she asked.
"You bet", God said.
"It can tell you the symptoms of 100 illnesses;
recite drug calculations in it's sleep;
intubate, defibrillate, medicate, and continue CPR
nonstop over terrain that any doctor would fear...
and it still keeps it's sense of humor."
"This medic also has phenomenal personal control.
He can deal with a multi-victim trauma,
coax a frightened elderly person to unlock their door,
comfort a murder victim's family,
and then read in the daily paper how Paramedics were
unable to locate a house quickly enough,
allowing the person to die.
A house that had no street sign, no house numbers, no phone to call back."
Finally, the angel bent over and ran her finger across the cheek of the Paramedic.
"There's a leak," she pronounced.
"I told You that You were trying to put too much into this model."
"That's not a leak," God replied, "It's a tear."
"What's the tear for?" asked the angel.
"It's for bottled up emotions,
for patients they've tried in vain to save,
for commitment to that hope
that they will make a difference in a person's chance to survive, for life."
"You're a genius!" said the angel.
God looked somber.
"I DIDN'T PUT IT THERE" He said.
Author Unknown

I found this story posted on radioreference.com. While I think the documents in question could have been disposed of in a more tactful manner. The blogger does have the right to post the story. However that said, I think the posting of the actual documents on the net was pretty irresponsible on the bloggers part. Any other opinions out there?
http://animalnewyork.com/2011/05/the-nypd-needs-to-do-a-better-job-of-destroying-their-terrorism-prevention-plans/

while there are no photos of bin laden himself dead (and yes, most definately I am glad that POS is dead) Reuters did publish photos from the compound which show stuff as well as a few bodies. here's the link. draw your own conclusions. http://www.reuters.com/subjects/bin-laden-compound I will say this, there has been a big deal made by some who say he was unarmed when he was shot. You know what, all I have to say/ask is how many people were armed in the towers, DC, and PA on 9/11/01? Exactly. The bastard got what he deserved.
Joe

FOXNews is reporting Bin Laden is dead. President Obama to hold press conference shortly.
Much more information expected shortly.
Thomas

As someone pointed out earlier, these must be EASV's. Registered ems agencies are authorized to put easv's on the road as long as they comply with the regulations.
According to the NYS Department of Health,
Procedure for obtaining EASV authorization cards:
Only agencies certified as ambulance services by the Department of Health may apply for authorization of personally owned EASVs.
1. Prior to issuance of authorization as an EASV the Chief Executive, or their designee, shall complete a copy of the Affirmation of Compliance (DOH - 1881) that indicates each vehicle is in compliance with 10 NYCRR part 800 and have it notarized.
2. Any time a vehicle is added to the list of authorized vehicles an Affirmation of Compliance must be completed and notarized for the added vehicle. In the event a vehicle is removed, the department must be notified in writing.
3. The completed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent to the DOH regional office for the service's operating area. The regional office will issue the appropriate window decal(s) and NYS Certification "logo" stickers for the vehicle(s).
4. A copy of the completed and executed Affirmation of Compliance shall be sent, along with a cover memo on agency letterhead, to the Bureau of EMS's Central Office. The Central Office will issue the numbered Emergency Vehicle Authorization Cards (DOH - 4136) to the service.
As an ems volly in Rockland County, we frequently see pov's, and even ambulances usually belonging to one agency in particular, being operated code 3 and, more often than not, in an unsafe manner. In my experience, it is rare to see a pov bearing; the agency name on the vehicle, the NYS DOH inspection sticker or the NYS DOH certification sticker. This is not to say that all these vehicles are known to belong to the one agency outlined in this article but seems that the requirements are pretty straight-forward.
Vehicles need to have the necessary decals and stickers and the operator needs to possess the orange DOH-4136 card, which is supposed to expire on the same date the operator's emt or aemt certification expires. Most of the vehicles encountered, in my experience, resemble the one in the picture that AlpineRunner posted, note the absence of the DOH inspection sticker that is supposed to be mounted on the passenger-side on the windshield in the lower corner.
I'm all for doing the most that we can to help those patients that call on us in their time of need but we must do so with due regard and in compliance with the regulations set forth for our profession.

Should ER nurses be required to attend call audits?
EMS providers interface with ER nurses everyday. We bring them our patients, and they see the results of our care, both good and bad.
I think it would lead to better working relationships between EMS providers and ER nurses if we discussed calls from both viewpoints.
I'm not a nurse, so I won't comment from that viewpoint. However, as an EMS provider, I believe that our care is an extension of the ER, and if we work together, we can really make in impact on patient care. Better transitions and coordination between our care and their can also result in better patient comfort and speedier care.
But, we rarely get or want to discuss this with nurses on a professional level while on duty, as both sides are busy. Call audits would be a great way to discuss calls in a focused enviroment.

if you are an officer at any vac you should be an emt at minimal. some officers also do QA/QI how would someone with no experience handle that, then there is the task of getting the pcr's to the state. if you are not trained (other than a driver) and you are not trained in atient care, fact is you should not be on scene. Yes I can see the extra hands for a carry down, etc, but I'm just talking patient care here. I'm also one for officers to be senior members with at least a few years in the field to be able to draw off of experience. just my 2 cents
joe

5274, I too lost a friend and co-worker there who was with FDNY and worked for Danbury Ambulance in CT. I also went down the following day and spent quite a bit of time on site. You're right even almost 10 years later it is still raw and it will be for a long time, as I said in my post I am very bitter about what happened. Can we stop another plane from leveling the new sight? Hopefully we can, if we've learned something. But even if it were to happen again and this time the plane was brought down before reaching it's target, it still is going to have to come down somewhere. The original post said the bartender made his first comment under his breath, to me that's an indication he knew he was doing wrong. Is the cost going to be enormous? Yes it is, but being in the business, you know you can't put a pricetag on a life let alone thousands. Its sad that so many died senselessly that day not just responders who were just doing their jobs and giving themselves as they did so many times before. Maybe that's part of the reason it strikes a nerve. I personally don't think anything no matter how secure is going to be totally safe. I worked with someone who was working the tower during the first attempt at taking the towers out (WAS967 I'm sure you remember who that is) We got called to the city to transport a Captain who made it that day but had his back broken. We took him home upstate. I remember coming into the city and my partner the guy who was in the previous attack going you know this just doesn't look right and I couldn't do anything but agree with him. The FDNY Captain talked to me a bit on the ride home as I teched his call. I could do nothing but look up to him for what he did or tried to do that day. I can't do anything but look up to all of those responders who gave everything that day and didn't go home. I can't do anything but look up to all that worked the site after looking first for survivors then remains for some type of closure not only for themselves but for the families of all involved. Maybe it was an error in judgement by the bartender. But can you see where I'm coming from? It doesn't make it any easier to swallow when someone makes remarks like that because for many, myself included, things are still very raw. It just strikes a cord. The other thing that bothers me is that for awhile after the towers fell john q. Public came to realize just how important people in public safety are. Now almost ten years later, things are back to the same ole grind. Do I want people walking up to me saying thank you for what I did in EMS, no that would be very selfish. But it's like they forgot that people, yourself included put your asses on the line every day for others and it's taken for granted like nobody even cares. I'm retired so it doesn't affect me anymore, but I know many still in the business and while I realize they do this because its in their blood and its in their nature to give and to give of themselves, it would be nice for the occassional person to realize just what it is they do and how important they are. This next part is just me - because of what's wrong with my liver from getting Hep C and the amount of damage I have, I wind up in the hospital a few times a year. Sometimes being the thick headed person I am, I wait until I have no choice but to go and sometimes I get taken in by a rig. You know what like I said maybe it's me but I make it a point to say thank you every time as I've been on the other side of the fence. I hope what I said makes some sense as to how and what I feel and why I still feel comments like those made by the bartender get me going. But thats just me. Maybe there are others who feel the same way, maybe not. Stay safe out there my friend and thank you for giving so freely of yourself everyday.
Joe
PS- Izzy I'm all for a get together in Thornwood or wherever.

Two members of the Sleepy Hollow Police Department passed away this past week. To say the department is hurting from this is an understatement. I worked with both of these officers while providing services thru the village via Westchester Ambulance, Westchester EMS and TransCare. Both were outstanding officers who gave to the community they served right to the end and deserve to be recognized for the good they did.
James Patrick Brophy of Croton and formerly of Sleepy Hollow, died January 7, 2011 after a long illness. He was 61. Born in Tarrytown on January 26, 1949, he was the son of Joseph and Evelyn Byrnes Brophy. He graduated from Sleepy Hollow High School in 1967 and Franklin Pierce College in 1971. He began his career in law enforcement in 1971 as a police officer in White Plains and transferred to North Tarrytown in 1973. He worked his way up to chief of the Sleepy Hollow Police Department and retired in 1997 after 26 years of service. James was a member of the Sleepy Hollow PBA, Westchester County PBA and the New York State Chiefs of Police Association. He was a member of the Hudson Valley Critical Incident Stress Management Team. He was an instructor at the Westchester County Police Academy and a Firearms instructor for the FBI. James was a former member of both the Sleepy Hollow Fire Patrol and the Cortlandt Ambulance Corps. He is survived by his children Erin Brophy of Buchanan and Shawn (Stephanie) of Joshua Tree, CA as well as his granddaughter Teagan Brophy and his grandson Orion Brophy. He is also survived by Marie Brophy. Visitation will be at COFFEY FUNERAL HOME on Monday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. His Funeral Mass will be Tuesday at 10:00 at St. Teresa of Avila Church with interment to follow in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. COFFEY FUNERAL HOME 91 N. Broadway Tarrytown, NY 10591 914-631-0983 coffeyfuneralhme.com
Bobby Checchi of Tarrytown, New York, passed away on January 14, 2011 at Calvary Hospital. Born to Ugo and Ida Checchi in the Bronx on August 4, 1960, he was 50 years old. Bobby is survived by his beloved wife of 21 years, Nancy and his loving son Gavin; his caring sister Linda Robinson and husband Vince of Dundas, Canada; brother Ugo Checchi, Jr. and his wife Judy of Alstead, New Hampshire; mother-in-law Shaaron Plate and husband Cy of Phoenix, Maryland; brothers-in-law Charles Plate and wife Rebecca of Virginia Beach, VA, Frederick Plate, Jr. and wife Carole of Holland, PA and Timothy Plate and wife Leslie of New Market, MD; sister-in-law Karen Plate of Norfolk, VA; eight nieces and nephews and four great nieces and nephews. Detective Checchi retired from the Sleepy Hollow Police Department in August 2010, where he served the village for 23 years. Bobby felt his greatest accomplishment was the privilege of serving as the detective assigned as the School Resource Officer for the Union Free School District of the Tarrytowns. His commitment and passion for the young people of the Villages were exemplified by his continuous and direct involvement with youth, including over twenty years of coaching competitive baseball in the Tarrytowns. He also served as volunteer assistant coach or Varsity and JV baseball at Sleepy Hollow High School, and developed the summer and fall programs the TNT Baseball continues to compete in around the county today. His service to youth was acknowledged when Bobby was awarded "Hero of the Year" by Westchester Parenting magazine for his mentoring of the youth in his community. Visitation will be at Coffey Funeral Home on Monday and Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. His Funeral Mass will be Wednesday at 10:00 at St. Teresa of Avila Church, Beekman Avenue, Sleepy Hollow. Burial will follow immediately at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. Bobby was always concerned that the summer was idle time for youth, and felt there were not enough programs to serve the children and youth. Therefore, it was Bobby's wish that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Public Schools of the Tarrytowns with specific goal to provide scholarship funds for community youth to attend or establish various summer programs. Donations should be sent to The Bobby Checchi Memorial Scholarship Fund c/o T.U.F.S.D., 200 North Broadway, Sleepy Hollow, NY 10591. COFFEY FUNERAL HOME 91 N. Broadway Tarrytown, NY 1591 914-631-0983 coffeyfuneralhome.com
Joe Tomaso retired medic

Here's to hoping you get well soon.

Used to have a bike. The wife (at the time) made me take out life insurance before I could buy it-lol. Hey Seth, you should get Brett from TVAC to put his Harley up on here. Sweet bike.
Stay Safe all.
Joe