Ga-Lin

NYC back in the day was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

The point I think we all are mising is that there is a severe internal problem within this agency. This individual was a crew chief, working committee member, has been in & around the agency since he was 15, 5-6 years and was the youth squad advisor. Anyone remember the end scene in the movie Philidelphia, when the jury is in the room discussing the case? Why do you still have a problem with someone that you have had & should have been grooming for the past 5-6 years, why promote a problem child to crew chief and why in Gods name do you put someone that you are having, supposedly, long standing control issues with in charge of your farm system, your youth squad, who is suppose to serve as a mentor & role model for these kids. I just don't get it, someone want to explain it to me......Like I'm a 3 year old.

It was 11 AM. I'm pressuming they've been there a while (probablly not since 7AM but still). Even so, you're at the bay, coat with your own scope in the pocket. I REALLY understand about the head.... from painfiul experience there is nothing worse on this earth than being out on the H'way at the MVA in the wet AND cold with a full bladder. Two minutes is a long time when crew is there and the call is for a kid seizeing. Like we said I don't see them taking alot of time getting out they should have been puting a little hustle in it and if they didn't.... I'm just saying

NYC back in the day was a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away

The point I think we all are mising is that there is a severe internal problem within this agency. This individual was a crew chief, working committee member, has been in & around the agency since he was 15, 5-6 years and was the youth squad advisor. Anyone remember the end scene in the movie Philidelphia, when the jury is in the room discussing the case? Why do you still have a problem with someone that you have had & should have been grooming for the past 5-6 years, why promote a problem child to crew chief and why in Gods name do you put someone that you are having, supposedly, long standing control issues with in charge of your farm system, your youth squad, who is suppose to serve as a mentor & role model for these kids. I just don't get it, someone want to explain it to me......Like I'm a 3 year old.

It was 11 AM. I'm pressuming they've been there a while (probablly not since 7AM but still). Even so, you're at the bay, coat with your own scope in the pocket. I REALLY understand about the head.... from painfiul experience there is nothing worse on this earth than being out on the H'way at the MVA in the wet AND cold with a full bladder. Two minutes is a long time when crew is there and the call is for a kid seizeing. Like we said I don't see them taking alot of time getting out they should have been puting a little hustle in it and if they didn't.... I'm just saying

Now here is another question for the agency. The suspended EMT is at the bay with another EMT & a driver when the call for the 4Y/O comes in ......Two minutes later another call comes in for an injuried 80 Y/O man. The question is why were they not already signed on & enroute to the first call. Two minutes is really a long time to be sitting around when everyone (crew wise) is there.

NYS states that there must be a certified EMT with the patient at all times. Nothing specific about crew responding to a call all together. if they did that at least half of really rural VAC would be put out of business.

It was 11 AM. I'm pressuming they've been there a while (probablly not since 7AM but still). Even so, you're at the bay, coat with your own scope in the pocket. I REALLY understand about the head.... from painfiul experience there is nothing worse on this earth than being out on the H'way at the MVA in the wet AND cold with a full bladder. Two minutes is a long time when crew is there and the call is for a kid seizeing. Like we said I don't see them taking alot of time getting out they should have been puting a little hustle in it and if they didn't.... I'm just saying

Now here is another question for the agency. The suspended EMT is at the bay with another EMT & a driver when the call for the 4Y/O comes in ......Two minutes later another call comes in for an injuried 80 Y/O man. The question is why were they not already signed on & enroute to the first call. Two minutes is really a long time to be sitting around when everyone (crew wise) is there.

It has nothing to do with the rules, its about control of the many (mostly newer, younger members) by the few (mostly long standing, older members). This is the main reason so many VACs have staffing/membership issues. Instead of qualifing people and clearing them based on ability (this guy is a NYS EMT, already works for a busy commercial service, p/t PD. VFD) they force him out. I just wonder where the Capt and other Brd members who voted against this young man were when this call was going down? 4 page outs, I mean really! And then the so called Captain states that "this is the type of story that the public" (which he supposedly serves) "doesn't need to be told" "There's no value in this story other than shock value" (at least he got this point right) "and gossip" He also states It's about "going through the proper training" "Experience driving other ambulances doesn't necessarily matter" I'd like to know what driver training they offer in order to "properly prepare" their members. This is a guy who has been around since he was 15, restarted the youth squad of his corps, which in well run places brings in a supply of young, already well groomed members. Now he's done and probably for good, along with how many of the Jr. members who looked up to him as a role model.

It has nothing to do with the rules, its about control of the many (mostly newer, younger members) by the few (mostly long standing, older members). This is the main reason so many VACs have staffing/membership issues. Instead of qualifing people and clearing them based on ability (this guy is a NYS EMT, already works for a busy commercial service, p/t PD. VFD) they force him out. I just wonder where the Capt and other Brd members who voted against this young man were when this call was going down? 4 page outs, I mean really! And then the so called Captain states that "this is the type of story that the public" (which he supposedly serves) "doesn't need to be told" "There's no value in this story other than shock value" (at least he got this point right) "and gossip" He also states It's about "going through the proper training" "Experience driving other ambulances doesn't necessarily matter" I'd like to know what driver training they offer in order to "properly prepare" their members. This is a guy who has been around since he was 15, restarted the youth squad of his corps, which in well run places brings in a supply of young, already well groomed members. Now he's done and probably for good, along with how many of the Jr. members who looked up to him as a role model.

Back in the day when I worked NYC the PD would ALWAYS say "Put a rush on the bus centrel" no matter what the call, either it was bad and the didn't want to watch with thier hands in thier pockets or it was utter nonsence and they didn't want to stand around with thier hands in thier pockets. Expecting us to put it in warp speed in order to get there....as if. I would , same as now, just aknowledge the message and continue as I was.

Back in the day when I worked NYC the PD would ALWAYS say "Put a rush on the bus centrel" no matter what the call, either it was bad and the didn't want to watch with thier hands in thier pockets or it was utter nonsence and they didn't want to stand around with thier hands in thier pockets. Expecting us to put it in warp speed in order to get there....as if. I would , same as now, just aknowledge the message and continue as I was.

NYS SEMAC & SEMSCO has finally approved IN narcan for use by CFR's & EMT's. This still needs to be approved by the Commissioner of Health. Once approved protocols & educationl package will be developed & distributed. IN narcan was recently in the news being handed out to "high risk" general populace.

You really can't go down this road, once begun where does it stop. Should we stop treating cancer patients, how about not resus anyone over 80, or how about 75. No, better as health care providers to treat everyone. Lfie is presious, some people do turn thier life completly around and become "useful members of society.

You really can't go down this road, once begun where does it stop. Should we stop treating cancer patients, how about not resus anyone over 80, or how about 75. No, better as health care providers to treat everyone. Lfie is presious, some people do turn thier life completly around and become "useful members of society.

You really can't go down this road, once begun where does it stop. Should we stop treating cancer patients, how about not resus anyone over 80, or how about 75. No, better as health care providers to treat everyone. Lfie is presious, some people do turn thier life completly around and become "useful members of society.

Maybe we should follow Conn.'s lead and distribute them to the general public. Like free needles

What the Hell is going on in Detroit ! PD commis resigns in disgrace, a few weeks ago their own PD is telling people to visit the city at their own risk because they feel they are unable to protect them. What's next, health care professionals telling people to move out because their own city is trying to kill them ! Time for the President to declare Detroit a federal disaster area and send in the troops !

Hard to belive but triage tags are not required equipment as listed in part 800. Executive order #26 signed by then Gov. G Pataki designated the "ICS as the state standard command & control system during emergency operations." Later (1998) Kits were distributed by NYS DOH EMS to VAC's, REMSCO's, Course sponser's etc. and many still have those original brown MCI kits in the bottom of the outside compartments,you know, along with the other never touched or used equipment such as vests, flares, etc. I wonder how many actually have looked in the kits, much less had a drill in their use.
I just had a discussion with my EMT class on MCIs, here's what I came up with. The average capacity of a metro north car is 100, the eve commute runs about 8-10 cars. Thats 800-1000 people thats more than a plane crash. Lets just say that by the time the train reachs say Katonah in Westchester or Harriman in Orange county they have half of that capacity 400-500. Train derails. Lets say that just a third of that number are injured. The rest were lucky (real lucky) that still 125-150, lets say half of them need ambulance transport, the others are walking wounded and can be transported by bus (if your community has thought that far ahead & can mobilize) that's 62-75 bodies. Two streacher patients in each ambulance....30-40 ambulances!!! Certainly commercial services will have to be used but lets think about command & control. I've seen many VACs hold MCI drills (which I admit is less than most VACs do) and they always seem to have enough resources to deal with their pt. load, amazing. Sorry for the rant, but I think many VAC & county leadership just don't think past the day to day problem of just staffing one ambulance, and we should...thats our business & our community depends on us for it.

Hard to belive but triage tags are not required equipment as listed in part 800. Executive order #26 signed by then Gov. G Pataki designated the "ICS as the state standard command & control system during emergency operations." Later (1998) Kits were distributed by NYS DOH EMS to VAC's, REMSCO's, Course sponser's etc. and many still have those original brown MCI kits in the bottom of the outside compartments,you know, along with the other never touched or used equipment such as vests, flares, etc. I wonder how many actually have looked in the kits, much less had a drill in their use.
I just had a discussion with my EMT class on MCIs, here's what I came up with. The average capacity of a metro north car is 100, the eve commute runs about 8-10 cars. Thats 800-1000 people thats more than a plane crash. Lets just say that by the time the train reachs say Katonah in Westchester or Harriman in Orange county they have half of that capacity 400-500. Train derails. Lets say that just a third of that number are injured. The rest were lucky (real lucky) that still 125-150, lets say half of them need ambulance transport, the others are walking wounded and can be transported by bus (if your community has thought that far ahead & can mobilize) that's 62-75 bodies. Two streacher patients in each ambulance....30-40 ambulances!!! Certainly commercial services will have to be used but lets think about command & control. I've seen many VACs hold MCI drills (which I admit is less than most VACs do) and they always seem to have enough resources to deal with their pt. load, amazing. Sorry for the rant, but I think many VAC & county leadership just don't think past the day to day problem of just staffing one ambulance, and we should...thats our business & our community depends on us for it.

Hard to belive but triage tags are not required equipment as listed in part 800. Executive order #26 signed by then Gov. G Pataki designated the "ICS as the state standard command & control system during emergency operations." Later (1998) Kits were distributed by NYS DOH EMS to VAC's, REMSCO's, Course sponser's etc. and many still have those original brown MCI kits in the bottom of the outside compartments,you know, along with the other never touched or used equipment such as vests, flares, etc. I wonder how many actually have looked in the kits, much less had a drill in their use.
I just had a discussion with my EMT class on MCIs, here's what I came up with. The average capacity of a metro north car is 100, the eve commute runs about 8-10 cars. Thats 800-1000 people thats more than a plane crash. Lets just say that by the time the train reachs say Katonah in Westchester or Harriman in Orange county they have half of that capacity 400-500. Train derails. Lets say that just a third of that number are injured. The rest were lucky (real lucky) that still 125-150, lets say half of them need ambulance transport, the others are walking wounded and can be transported by bus (if your community has thought that far ahead & can mobilize) that's 62-75 bodies. Two streacher patients in each ambulance....30-40 ambulances!!! Certainly commercial services will have to be used but lets think about command & control. I've seen many VACs hold MCI drills (which I admit is less than most VACs do) and they always seem to have enough resources to deal with their pt. load, amazing. Sorry for the rant, but I think many VAC & county leadership just don't think past the day to day problem of just staffing one ambulance, and we should...thats our business & our community depends on us for it.

Hard to belive but triage tags are not required equipment as listed in part 800. Executive order #26 signed by then Gov. G Pataki designated the "ICS as the state standard command & control system during emergency operations." Later (1998) Kits were distributed by NYS DOH EMS to VAC's, REMSCO's, Course sponser's etc. and many still have those original brown MCI kits in the bottom of the outside compartments,you know, along with the other never touched or used equipment such as vests, flares, etc. I wonder how many actually have looked in the kits, much less had a drill in their use.
I just had a discussion with my EMT class on MCIs, here's what I came up with. The average capacity of a metro north car is 100, the eve commute runs about 8-10 cars. Thats 800-1000 people thats more than a plane crash. Lets just say that by the time the train reachs say Katonah in Westchester or Harriman in Orange county they have half of that capacity 400-500. Train derails. Lets say that just a third of that number are injured. The rest were lucky (real lucky) that still 125-150, lets say half of them need ambulance transport, the others are walking wounded and can be transported by bus (if your community has thought that far ahead & can mobilize) that's 62-75 bodies. Two streacher patients in each ambulance....30-40 ambulances!!! Certainly commercial services will have to be used but lets think about command & control. I've seen many VACs hold MCI drills (which I admit is less than most VACs do) and they always seem to have enough resources to deal with their pt. load, amazing. Sorry for the rant, but I think many VAC & county leadership just don't think past the day to day problem of just staffing one ambulance, and we should...thats our business & our community depends on us for it.

Since this topic originally asked about training for FF's not responsible for providing medical care for the public, lets start there. First, I believe all emergency providers, which include LEO's should be trained in CPR & the use of an AED. It's a few hours of training & the payoff in saving a life is immeasurable. An AED should be at every fire call/response, whether a trash fire or an all hands-5 alarmer like we had in Cornwall yesterday. I'm not sure if cardiac arrest is the #1 killer of FF's on the fireground but I do know its at the top. It should be immediately available as the trucks arrive and not waited for until the IC calls for an ambulance standby. As we've seen recently in MV, cardiac arrest can happen to any of us, at any time, anywhere, that's why its know as sudden death.
Secondly, I would limit training to life threatening injuries only, specificity bleeding control. Other training is academic, if you're not responsible for moving someone from point A to point B, other than removing them from a unsafe area in which case care is postponed, why do it. If you are not tasked with providing such care you probably don't have the proper equipment such as splints, C-collars, KED's, backboards etc. While I agree with Barry's post, on why are we cutting up the car, I think this 1.)attitude & 2)Cervical immobilization(as opposed to cervical stabilization, applying C-collar, KED /long board) could be addressed in an extraction class.
Thirdly, if the dept. is responsible for public care it also is divided into care at scene only &/or transport. If its care at scene only, CFR should be enough. As ALSFF, I also have some issues with the current curriculum, but at the moment, its all we have. It provides enough background for initial treatment of emergencies encountered when responding to care for the general public which, hopefully, FF's don't have such as asthma, OD's etc. If you're transporting, EMT level. The problem that I both have & see with requiring CFR &/or EMT is not so much the initial training (at least with CFR anyway) its the upkeep both in the actual cert. & with maintaining proficiency.
Finally, I see alot of dept requiring FF's to also be either EMT's or Paramedics. My opinion is that its both a mistake & asking alot. I'm not a FF, but as a lifelong career EMS person, I can tell you I'm constantly reading, going to Conferences & keeping up with what's new in addition with being active in both the field & teaching in the classroom. I am under no illusion that firefighting is any different. With new hybrids, electric autos, hazmat & other firematic stuff there are not many who can keep up & do both well. Leadership is, either through outside civil pressure (town, district etc) or internal reasons trying to expand in order to pump up their response numbers in order to justify their budgets or prevent layoffs, attempting to make people a Jack of all trades yet they are masters of none. This is especially dangerous in a volunteer system where members are not also working FF's, EMT's or medics but regular 9-5ers. Additionally, there is, what I call the emergency providers mindset. When asked who you are or what you do, how do you answer FF, EMT, medic. That's your mindset, as you see yourself, that's where your effort will go to maintain proficiency. If asked most FF, if honest, (paid more than Volunteer I think) will resist becoming involved in providing EMS. Now here's the question, do we, as civilian members of our individual communities want someone who doesn't see themselves as or doesn't want to be providing EMS caring for us or our loved ones.
In my community we have separate VFD & VAC yet there are some who are both. While this might look good when looked at by both organization individually the emergency SYSTEM, as a whole, is weak when we are essentially counting one member (& two different jobs) twice. That's my opinion.