PC414

Forty-nine years ago today was the "day the music died" in Clear Lake, Iowa when Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and J.P. "Big Bopper" Richardson died in the crash of a Beechcraft Bonanza just minutes after take-off (an event which also took the life of pilot Roger Peterson). Don McLean's song, "American Pie," has been floating around ALMOST as long as many of us have. One could reasonably say the tune has been woven into the fabric of our lives since its initial release in 1971, although I suspect there are many who are unaware of the story it tells. "But something touched me deep inside, The day the music died. So, bye bye Miss American Pie, Drove my Chevy to the levee but the levee was dry Them good ole boys were drinkin' whiskey and rye Singing 'This'll be the day that I die.'" It's funny, isn't it, how we mark the days of our lives with such things? Bob

Twenty-one year olds are in charge of a lot of things in life. At 21 - a long time ago for me - I was a buck sergeant in the Air Force and resposnbile for the supervision of a crew. I knew a significant number of 18, 19 and 20 year old men and women at the time charged with the security of nuclear weapons. They could be trusted with live ammunition and the ability to use deadly force if needed. My father was a 1st lieutenant in the US Army Corps of Engineers commanding a platoon of roughly forty men in combat during 1943 at the age of 23. It isn't all that strange for relatively young people to be charged with fairly heavy responsibility. I'm old(er) now. Been in charge of some people over the years and had some "kids" tell me what to do on various jobs, too. No problem as far as I can remember. Maybe I just don't remember 'cause I'm old(er), though. Personally, I vote for the "kid." If he meets the qualifications of the department and enjoys the support of his subordinates, more power to him. Bob

"VTL 1226. Control of steering mechanism. No person shall operate a motor vehicle without having at least one hand or, in the case of a physically handicapped person, at least one prosthetic device or aid on the steering mechanism at all times when the motor vehicle is in motion." Additionally, DMV still teaches use of hand signals, three of which are illustrated in the on-line Manual. That knowledge presupposes, at least in theory, that one hand will have to be off the wheel. I personally doubt that there will be any tickets issued for "one-handed operation." I also have no doubt that any patrol officer who wanted could find SOMETHING to write-up for most drivers, if they were of that mindset. As always, drive carefully and with purpose. Bob

So ... just a (probably unpopular) thought ... Anybody else think it's kinda' silly to let the Grand Jury actually decide if there is sufficient evidence to indict and then a jury of his peers to determine guilt (within the context of the U.S. and New York State Constitutions) BEFORE we introduce the "dam pedofile" [sic] to "bubba?" All that "due process" crap probably isn't very important anyway, is it, if you're REALLY a "Law and Order" kinda' guy (or gal)? HOLY COW! Bob

I never participated much in parades but I sure watched a lot of 'em. Ole, your excellent post took me back DECADES to Boxford, Massachusetts and Harrison, Maine (and a lot of places in between) and the bright-eyed kid I used to be. Thank you for capturing the heart and motive of many who march. Bob

Yes, there is real, formal training. http://www.icisf.org As an aside, Dutchess has their own excellent critical incident response team. Bob

After all this, the only question my feeble, old mind can think of is "Where are you, Tony Baretta?" Times change, huh? Or, sadly, maybe they don't ...

I appreciate the warm wishes. It has been a long and (often) trying time since I finished my last C-line on February 11th. As my wife occasionally reminds me, "Growin' old ain't for wimps." My return to the office is delayed until Friday the 18th per "doctor's orders" but I expect to be there bright and early for the B-line on that date. I look forward to working again with good friends, both in the office and in the field. Bob

Snopes.com indicates the story is true; however, it goes back to January, 1996.

"The picture with the water falls by inn at the falls is not an actual dam." Just as a matter of interest and safety (boaters, fishermen AND responders), this structure is, in fact, something called a "low head dam." They can be deadly - not just to unwary civilians inadvertently swept over them but to rescuers as well. A Google search including the words "low head dam" and "rescuer death" or "danger" can offer some intense and educational reading, along with video and pictures. PC414 EDITED TO ADD URL: http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/education_saf...ningmachine.pdf

Info "straight from the horse's mouth" at www.sperryrail.com. While more employment-oriented, the web page also gives an overview of the company mission and methodology. If you're interested in specific SRS track vehicles, check out www.krunk.org/~joeshaw/pics/sperry Bob PC414

Recognizing the overall statistical insignifigance of "a survival rate of 0.5 per cent," I still wouldn't mind someone tryin' to see if I could "make the cut," were I in this position. Assuming, of course, the crew had the time and nothing much better going on back at the house ... "If the test were applied, it would reduce by about two-thirds the number of patients taken to the hospital, the researchers said." Well, what can one say? It's a good thing good we're gonna' cut down on the crisis in emergency healthcare by addressing this patient issue instead of the glut of people who clog the ED for coughs, colds, aches and pains and other assorted minor ailments. Maybe I misread the article. Seems like STAT123 gives it the correct "good ol' college try" with "my current protocols allow me to terminate after 20 minutes of BCLS and or ACLS. So, if we don't get 'em back after 20 minutes, its over. OVER. You bring the family in and explain the situation, and then TERMINATE." That's all I'd hope for, personally. Article on the study , to me, seemed to not give any "wiggle room" - even 20 minutes worth - which might make a difference to the "statistically insignificant" 0.5 percent. Any thoughts? PC414

"I don't see a 9 yom w/a broken arm as a alpha or bravo level call. I see a child in pain in need of care in a reasonable amount of time." Well said, Tanker, throughout. Thanks. PC414

Well, a couple of things, this hot afternoon ... Tanker, not sure if I'm misreading or something but no "bubble to burst" for me. Not disputing that you've ridden with a medic on an Alpha level call in the past (or even the reason Putnam is sending them on Bravos now). Just information in my original post and not commentary or editorial at all. The fact is, though, that since instituting the EMD program not quite a year ago, we do not send medics on Alpha level calls - even when they can't be staffed. We just keep going mutual aid until they are covered by a BLS crew. Possible exceptions to that based on a unique experience? Sure, or I'd so imagine but there is a STRONG emphasis on protecting the tiered-response in dispatch that comes from the top down. I also got quoted for an awful lot that I didn't actually say or write but that may just be a function of the "Reply" button, I don't know. If I came across in my post as disparaging or something, I apologize. Just recounting the things I have to practice four days out of every six for at least eight hours a day. I have no personal vested interest in the way agencies are dispatched, respond or anything else. I do what the bosses tell me to the best of my ability and adapt as new directives come down. Generally speaking, the "line-up" that Skooter92 detailed is accurate, I think. My comments about the "unknown" refer specifically to the questions raised earlier about mutual aid dispatches after 5 minutes, not to the specific number of medics and so forth on duty in the County. Again, if anything I've added to the conversation has rubbed anyone the wrong way, feel free to PM (or continue to discuss same here). That was certainly not my intention. PC414

Good questions I'd just be guessing as there has been nothing passed on through the office at this (still) early stage. I would suspect that the article may not be 100% accurate (constraints of space/editing, misunderstanding/misinterperetation by the reporter, etc.), at least based on logical questions such as you raise. Gonna' be lots of speculation for a while. Sorry I know of nothing concrete to help. PC414