GAW6

I, too, have sat back long enough reading these posts and feel the need to finally comment:
1. As far as the "said" department, they need to work on a schedule system so that they don't have to keep relying on their mutual aid departments.
2. As for the "facility" that the "said" department keeps going to, they HAVE spoken with the "head honchos" and they HAVE given them fines. I happen to work at the "facility", so I know this for a fact! The "facility" does NOTHING to correct the problems.
3. LOSAP - how can you compare that to a regular pension? I certainly hope your "real job" pension is more than $300/month!
4. A paid department in the Town of Mt. Pleasant? Are you kidding??? As a life-long resident of the Town, I for one would get on a bandwagon to vote down such a proposal. To increase our already high taxes to cover false alarms - which, yes, that is the majority of calls, would be totally ridiculous and would run every "old timer" out of the Town. My suggestion - grow a set of "balls" and start cracking down on members who are refusing to drive and/or respond. Or go back to the automatic dual response.
5. I think most departments have "frequent flyers" or facilities that call on a regular basis. Unfortunately, you are required to respond no matter what. The standpoint I take is when the call comes in, just think if YOU were that person or your family member waiting for that fire truck or ambulance, how would you feel if they didn't show up???
By the way, I sympathize with the "said" department because I believe most departments have been there at one time or another. They just need to address the issues head on and come up with a solution, so that people like problEMS don't get on here strictly to "stir the pot".

I, too, have sat back long enough reading these posts and feel the need to finally comment:
1. As far as the "said" department, they need to work on a schedule system so that they don't have to keep relying on their mutual aid departments.
2. As for the "facility" that the "said" department keeps going to, they HAVE spoken with the "head honchos" and they HAVE given them fines. I happen to work at the "facility", so I know this for a fact! The "facility" does NOTHING to correct the problems.
3. LOSAP - how can you compare that to a regular pension? I certainly hope your "real job" pension is more than $300/month!
4. A paid department in the Town of Mt. Pleasant? Are you kidding??? As a life-long resident of the Town, I for one would get on a bandwagon to vote down such a proposal. To increase our already high taxes to cover false alarms - which, yes, that is the majority of calls, would be totally ridiculous and would run every "old timer" out of the Town. My suggestion - grow a set of "balls" and start cracking down on members who are refusing to drive and/or respond. Or go back to the automatic dual response.
5. I think most departments have "frequent flyers" or facilities that call on a regular basis. Unfortunately, you are required to respond no matter what. The standpoint I take is when the call comes in, just think if YOU were that person or your family member waiting for that fire truck or ambulance, how would you feel if they didn't show up???
By the way, I sympathize with the "said" department because I believe most departments have been there at one time or another. They just need to address the issues head on and come up with a solution, so that people like problEMS don't get on here strictly to "stir the pot".

I, too, have sat back long enough reading these posts and feel the need to finally comment:
1. As far as the "said" department, they need to work on a schedule system so that they don't have to keep relying on their mutual aid departments.
2. As for the "facility" that the "said" department keeps going to, they HAVE spoken with the "head honchos" and they HAVE given them fines. I happen to work at the "facility", so I know this for a fact! The "facility" does NOTHING to correct the problems.
3. LOSAP - how can you compare that to a regular pension? I certainly hope your "real job" pension is more than $300/month!
4. A paid department in the Town of Mt. Pleasant? Are you kidding??? As a life-long resident of the Town, I for one would get on a bandwagon to vote down such a proposal. To increase our already high taxes to cover false alarms - which, yes, that is the majority of calls, would be totally ridiculous and would run every "old timer" out of the Town. My suggestion - grow a set of "balls" and start cracking down on members who are refusing to drive and/or respond. Or go back to the automatic dual response.
5. I think most departments have "frequent flyers" or facilities that call on a regular basis. Unfortunately, you are required to respond no matter what. The standpoint I take is when the call comes in, just think if YOU were that person or your family member waiting for that fire truck or ambulance, how would you feel if they didn't show up???
By the way, I sympathize with the "said" department because I believe most departments have been there at one time or another. They just need to address the issues head on and come up with a solution, so that people like problEMS don't get on here strictly to "stir the pot".

As far as I am concerned, Aaron SAVED lives that night. What would have happened if DJ Henry drove off and killed one of the hundreds of kids that were running amok through the shopping center? Or an innocent person if he managed to get out on the road? The Henry Family is obviously not seeing the "what COULD have happened"! They could have easily been on the "other side of the fence" and being sued by a family who's loved one was run down by their drunk son - because as we all know, drunk drivers have been known to kill or mame.
I just hope that Aaron makes a full recovery - I, for one, have missed working with him!!!

As far as I am concerned, Aaron SAVED lives that night. What would have happened if DJ Henry drove off and killed one of the hundreds of kids that were running amok through the shopping center? Or an innocent person if he managed to get out on the road? The Henry Family is obviously not seeing the "what COULD have happened"! They could have easily been on the "other side of the fence" and being sued by a family who's loved one was run down by their drunk son - because as we all know, drunk drivers have been known to kill or mame.
I just hope that Aaron makes a full recovery - I, for one, have missed working with him!!!

As far as I am concerned, Aaron SAVED lives that night. What would have happened if DJ Henry drove off and killed one of the hundreds of kids that were running amok through the shopping center? Or an innocent person if he managed to get out on the road? The Henry Family is obviously not seeing the "what COULD have happened"! They could have easily been on the "other side of the fence" and being sued by a family who's loved one was run down by their drunk son - because as we all know, drunk drivers have been known to kill or mame.
I just hope that Aaron makes a full recovery - I, for one, have missed working with him!!!

Just because you "don't like parades" doesn't give you the right to criticize those that do. I don't like to eat lamb, but I don't complain about people who do.
I disagree with you that only "volunteers attend parades". What about all the St. Patrick's Day Parades? Were there not paid departments in attendance? Yes, I know, they were not working or probably banged out sick. Others were working therefore there was coverage - same as in a volunteer agency, people stay back for coverage.
I also disagree that departments only worry about coverage during parades. You are way off base, and again, should not be generalizing.

As far as I am concerned, Aaron SAVED lives that night. What would have happened if DJ Henry drove off and killed one of the hundreds of kids that were running amok through the shopping center? Or an innocent person if he managed to get out on the road? The Henry Family is obviously not seeing the "what COULD have happened"! They could have easily been on the "other side of the fence" and being sued by a family who's loved one was run down by their drunk son - because as we all know, drunk drivers have been known to kill or mame.
I just hope that Aaron makes a full recovery - I, for one, have missed working with him!!!

This is a great topic and something I talk about all the time. As an EMT for 21 years, 9 of which as an EMT-I, I have seen such a decline in the quality of new EMTs. I am not sure if it is do to poor instruction, and people being "pushed through" the class, or it is Medic "dependency" (or a combination). I have always told my members that the best way to learn is by doing - the more calls you do, the better you will become. I have heard EMTs waiting on scene for the Medic to show-up - I always say, do what you have been taught and trained to do.
I admit, when the Medic system first came in to our Town, I had a difficult time with it. I went from running calls to driving the fly car. It was very frustrating to get up in the middle of the night, go to a call and either just stand there while the Medic "did his/her thing" and not say a word or give you any info, except for "can you find a garbage can for this stuff" and "who's driving my car". Things have improved greatly; I guess it just took time for them to realize the capabilities of the EMTs and for me to not be intimidated by them and be able to work with them.
Our Corps has abolished the CME program for recertification. We encourage people to take classes, attend lectures, get any further education you can. But when it comes to the basics, everyone should go through the skills and sit for the exam. If you can't do that, then you have no business being an EMT.

This is a great topic and something I talk about all the time. As an EMT for 21 years, 9 of which as an EMT-I, I have seen such a decline in the quality of new EMTs. I am not sure if it is do to poor instruction, and people being "pushed through" the class, or it is Medic "dependency" (or a combination). I have always told my members that the best way to learn is by doing - the more calls you do, the better you will become. I have heard EMTs waiting on scene for the Medic to show-up - I always say, do what you have been taught and trained to do.
I admit, when the Medic system first came in to our Town, I had a difficult time with it. I went from running calls to driving the fly car. It was very frustrating to get up in the middle of the night, go to a call and either just stand there while the Medic "did his/her thing" and not say a word or give you any info, except for "can you find a garbage can for this stuff" and "who's driving my car". Things have improved greatly; I guess it just took time for them to realize the capabilities of the EMTs and for me to not be intimidated by them and be able to work with them.
Our Corps has abolished the CME program for recertification. We encourage people to take classes, attend lectures, get any further education you can. But when it comes to the basics, everyone should go through the skills and sit for the exam. If you can't do that, then you have no business being an EMT.

No problem!! Not too many people knew he had come up. That's why I was pointing it out - if "Reverend Al" is quiet, there must be a reason!!!

I had the pleasure of having to get up out of bed at 02:45 to take that a**hole to the hospital. Wish I were allowed to say more......

The only problem I have with this is that lethal injection is way too nice. Tie him to a bedpost, beat him,then douse him with gasoline - and let Mr. Petit light the match!

The only problem I have with this is that lethal injection is way too nice. Tie him to a bedpost, beat him,then douse him with gasoline - and let Mr. Petit light the match!

The only problem I have with this is that lethal injection is way too nice. Tie him to a bedpost, beat him,then douse him with gasoline - and let Mr. Petit light the match!

That was a totally uncalled for statement. There are still many volunteers out there who are extremely dedicated. Unfortunately, due to larger call volumes, those "handfuls" of volunteers who are willing to drop anything and run to a call cannot do it all themselves. Whether you are a volunteer or not, you still have work, family, and personal committments.
Yes, a true volunteer does it from the heart and does not expect anything in return. You totally missed the point here and just used it as a chance to criticize volunteers.

That was a totally uncalled for statement. There are still many volunteers out there who are extremely dedicated. Unfortunately, due to larger call volumes, those "handfuls" of volunteers who are willing to drop anything and run to a call cannot do it all themselves. Whether you are a volunteer or not, you still have work, family, and personal committments.
Yes, a true volunteer does it from the heart and does not expect anything in return. You totally missed the point here and just used it as a chance to criticize volunteers.

That was a totally uncalled for statement. There are still many volunteers out there who are extremely dedicated. Unfortunately, due to larger call volumes, those "handfuls" of volunteers who are willing to drop anything and run to a call cannot do it all themselves. Whether you are a volunteer or not, you still have work, family, and personal committments.
Yes, a true volunteer does it from the heart and does not expect anything in return. You totally missed the point here and just used it as a chance to criticize volunteers.

That was a totally uncalled for statement. There are still many volunteers out there who are extremely dedicated. Unfortunately, due to larger call volumes, those "handfuls" of volunteers who are willing to drop anything and run to a call cannot do it all themselves. Whether you are a volunteer or not, you still have work, family, and personal committments.
Yes, a true volunteer does it from the heart and does not expect anything in return. You totally missed the point here and just used it as a chance to criticize volunteers.

As the Captain of PVAC, I would like to thank those of you for your kind words. I am extremely proud of our Rehab Crew that day. Hopefully, the word will get out there around the County about our personnel and equipment. Glad we were able to make a difference in those extreme conditions, and that no one was seriously injured.
I was also told by my members about the excellent job that BMFD did!

As the Captain of PVAC, I would like to thank those of you for your kind words. I am extremely proud of our Rehab Crew that day. Hopefully, the word will get out there around the County about our personnel and equipment. Glad we were able to make a difference in those extreme conditions, and that no one was seriously injured.
I was also told by my members about the excellent job that BMFD did!

First of all, uniforms are not just for "parades". They are worn at inspections, wakes and funerals, fire prevention presentations, etc. There is nothing more impressive when you have lost a loved one to see your department come in as a group in uniform.
Our Fire District pays for the uniform; the member pays for his own shoes, belt, etc. Anyone who leaves the department turns his uniform in and it goes in to our "stock". New members must check the "stock" first to see if any part of the uniform fits before going to purchase a new full/partial uniform.

REALLY???? That's why snot-nosed, hot-shot new Medics treat EMTs with over 20 years experience like they are the hired help and know nothing!!!! In my books, 20+ years is both TIME & EXPERIENCE which should be respected!
Sorry Lt. - I got off of your original thread also.

REALLY???? That's why snot-nosed, hot-shot new Medics treat EMTs with over 20 years experience like they are the hired help and know nothing!!!! In my books, 20+ years is both TIME & EXPERIENCE which should be respected!
Sorry Lt. - I got off of your original thread also.