OoO

Although I'm guilty of this too...all the reason to always lock your ambulance.

You don't have to agree with the protest to support their right to protest. This incident is terrible and the people responsible need to be held responsible, but as a whole, why should the protest be ended?

I have always been confused as to why the grasslands complex has its own ambulance. Why isn't it covered by whoever covers the surrounding area?

What is your agency's policy or plans to responding to calls during a hurricane? At some point do you stop responding to calls until after the storm has passed?

I have searched the web extensively and cannot seem to find recommendations on this topic. My concern is that once wind speeds accelerate, it is no longer safe to drive a fire apparatus or ambulance in terms of staying in control of the vehicle, as well as concerning the threat of projectiles and fallen trees.

I would be very interested in a police, fire and EMS prospective on the matter.

Ugliest looking police car I've seen in recent memory. Reminds me of the old style NYPD cars.

None of their fire apparatus being delivered is coming with chevrons, so why would it be surprising that the ambulances didn't have them either?

I didn't realize that. Any particular reason? Aren't chevrons now a NFPA standard?

Very surprised to see no chevrons or directional bar on the back. Chevrons seem to be the way everyone is moving and IMHO make a big difference in visibility.

I ride in a district where PD responds to all EMS runs and most of the officers are not CFR or EMT certified.

I think they're presence helps out EMS more than the patient and I greatly appreciate them coming out. Entering someone's home could potentially be very dangerous, you do not know what kind of mental state the patient or family members/bystanders are in. The PD's presence makes a big difference in keeping the scene safe and making me more comfortable entering a dark strange home.

The airbag restraints were discussed here recently, consensus seemed to be that they are ineffective and a bad idea.

The "G" in 3G and 4G stands for "generation". It is the operating system that the devices are capable of handling and also relates to real time location generating information. Our old nextels and such were 1st generation phones. Then the networks and the devices becaming more intense and so on. 3G and 4G have nothing to do with cell tower infrastructure. It has all to do with the OS in the phones and their capabilities as technology advances. For instance, on a 1G or 2G device, there is no GPS info unless downloaded via upgrade. 3G GPS is pretty good, however the newer devices aka 4G the GPS is pretty much dead on. The networks are basically all the same except some minor differences. The device is what is important. The android OS is cool, however I use blackberry and have never had a problem with RIM and all their capabilities. It basically comes down to "what are you going to use it for?" If you wants games and internet, integrated calendars such as google and google/connect, IM such as BBM or "facetime", social media integration, gps mapping and directions, then a smart phone is for you. If you just wanna text and talk, don't waste the money on the extra $15 - $30 a month for a data package.

The "G" has nothing to do with GPS or operating system. 3G vs 4G is about network internet speed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G

Thanks. I saw the instructor class offered at Cortlandt Community VAC on January 31st.

If one were to complete the PHTLS instructor class, does this enable them to set up and teach their own classes?<br><br>Thanks!

The manual stretcher.

I disagree, not everyone drives...

I wish the law came with funding for public education. There are some great slow down, move over PSA commercials on ResponderSafety.com. Perhaps another organization will foot the bill to run a campaign?

This is a request for proposal (RFP) for an electronic medical record system (e-PCR) to be utilized by Emergency Medical Service (EMS) agencies and personnel operating in Westchester County, NY. This RFP is issued by the Westchester Regional EMS Council (WREMSCO) under Authority established through New York State Public Health Law, Article 30 § 3003.3. While the WREMSCO is issuing this RFP, the purchasers of products and services selected through this RFP process may include the WREMSCO itself and/or individual EMS organizations operating in and around the Westchester Region. As a result of this RFP, the WREMSCO expects to enter into a group purchasing agreement with one (or more) of the bidding vendors and, upon doing so, will inform all WREMSCO EMS agencies about the agreement(s) and its/their terms. All EMS agencies in the Region will be eligible to participate in the agreement(s) under the terms provided, although participation on the part of any individual member is voluntary, and each agency is individually liable with regards to their participation. Each agency that chooses to participate will enter into its own agreement with the Vendor(s), which incorporates the pricing and other terms negotiated by WREMSCO.

Full RFP

Kudos to WREMSCO for being proactive in encouraging agencies to move towards e-PCRs.

For those that have used e-PCRs, what are your thoughts on them?

I would think this falls somewhere under MCI / Triage protocol.

Any westchester units helping out?

Coming from an EMS provider's prospective, I find it extremely helpful to have FD on scene, especially on the highway. Backboarding a patient out of a car can be challenging with just 2 people (I know some VACs roll with 4+, but when that's not the case) plus the FD is very helpful for traffic control and ensuring scene safety.

G

I vote for those tire puncture devices on all higway entrances that can be easily mistaken esp w/ impairment ie sawmill, taconic etc. Cheap one time cost, little to no upkeep or staffing. Stop them before they get miles down the highway and cause needless havoc.

Good idea in theory but...http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Would-road-spikes-help-prevent-wrong-way-drivers-617015.php

M' Ave, I agree and am also split on the topic. I also don't think its fair for ambulances to be able to bill but not fire departments. There are a few key differences though. First of all, ambulances can only bill if they transport, but it looks like the FDNY will be billing for any call they are dispatched to regardless of whether their services are needed. Second of all, EMS charges are almost always covered by health insurance companies and as this article states, most auto insurance policies do not cover fire department costs.

Attention New York City motorists: If you get into an accident and need the Fire Department to come to the rescue, expect a bill.

Facing serious budgetary constraints, Mayor Michael Bloomberg's administration has decided to join a growing number of municipalities around the country that are charging motorists involved in accidents for emergency-response services.

This so-called "crash tax" or "accident tax" has left bill recipients in other places around the country outraged, and a number of states have banned the practice.

The FDNY plans to start sending out bills July 1. A vehicle fire or any other incident with injuries will cost $490. A vehicle fire without injuries will cost $415. And incidents without fire or injuries will cost $365. These charges apply to every vehicle involved in the incident.

City to Bill Motorists Who Crash and Need Aid

Very funny, coming from a volunteer EMT myself.

For one of the agencies that I ride with, I have begun to notice EMTs leaving a 16 hour shift at one agency to do another 12 hours at another. I think this is dangerous in terms of fatigue and I'd like to look into implementing a policy requiring a minimum amount of rest time between shifts.

Does anyone have a similar policy in place or have any suggestions/opinions on this issue?

What is EMS 11? I have seen it listed in several recent incident reports.