NYMedic37

If its in such great condition then why is Westchester County getting rid of it? Why not keep it and get some more service from it and save the tax payers some money. This is an example of why Westchester County is the highest taxed county in the United States of America.

In regards to the mileage / time stamp on the radio, the radios where I work are taped and time recorded. If it takes 10 minutes to arrive at the ER, at least your time stamp on the radio will indicate that in case there is an accusation. Should there be an accusation and the Police ask the complainant how long she was molested by the EMS personnel, if she says that it lasted 45 minutes, then the time stamp can help prove your credibility. Mileage helps because the Police can also check the actual mileage from the scene to the hospital and match that to the rig's mileage and taped mileage. Just the fact that you record your time/mileage/female patient enroute to XXXX hospital, shows that your intentions are to be professional. Its not a guarantee that you will not be accused of anything but it helps build your credibility.

ALSFF --- I agree with your way of handling a woman with a large breast and placement of the 12 lead EKG electrodes/cables by using the back of your hand, especially after explaining and getting her consent to the procedure. In regards to the GYN exam, in some cases you must examine the patient. Again, explain the procedure and gain her consent, then perform the exam quickly and professionally. I have delivered several kids over the years, delt with patients that have had miscarriages, some with severe GYN hemorrages so sometimes you must perform a GYN exam. I once had a 30 year old patient that had a life threatening GYN bleed. Oxygen, leg elevated in the shock position, 2 large bore IV's wide open and several gyn pads applied for direct pressure. At one time or another during a person's EMS career, you have to deal with these situations.

I try to have the driver put the transport mileage (to and arrival) and transport time (to and arrival) at the hospital on the radio so its on tape. This provides a time frame and mileage frame to help reduce exposure to there type of patients. Also, If you can have a female Police Officer, family member or EMT/Paramedic in the back of the rig, that's best. Make sure that the patient is covered up with blankets, sheets, etc. and limit the amount of physical contact. Be sure to ask permission and explain certain medical procedures PRIOR to performing them such as a 12 lead EKG or a GYN exam.

EMD can be taught to the cops dispatching. You don't have to have 60 take over because of that. Also, mutual aid thru the police has never been a problem. Calls north of Benedict Ave M/A to Sleepy Hollow EMS, calls south of Benedict Ave M/A to Irvington EMS. Kinda' a no brainer.

Lenox Hill Hospital EMS tracks the on scene time and the patient contact time on its E-PCR.

I respect your opinion but disagree. In Tarrytown, I don't feel there is a need to change the dispatch process. From my perspective, Tarrytown PD dispatchs EMS quickly and accurately. The BLS ambulance and Paramedic get the address & nature of the call accurately and effeciently. There is no problem here to fix.

Tarrytown PD just got a new stationhouse and Motorola was there installing thier new communications system so it has been recently upgraded. All has been working fine.

First of all, I am not "throwing (expletive)" as you mentioned. I am simply expressing my opinion which is what this site is all about and which I am entitled to. You are entitled not to agree with me. That is your right. As far as my opinion as being "uneducated", well, that is your opinion. I feel that my opinion is very well educated because I have experienced both the Tarrytown PD and 60 control dispatch for several years (about 21 years) and have come to my own conclusions about both. EMTBravo is about people exchanging ideas and opinions and sometimes people disagree. There's nothing wrong with that. We all don't have to follow each other around like a herd of sheep.

To answer your question, it doesn't matter if 60 control has the best dispatch center in the world. The existing system for dispatching Tarrytown Fire and EMS by Tarrytown PD is fine and works very well. Again, I feel that there is no need to involve another step to the dispatch process as this creates an unnecessary delay. What are you trying to do here? Invent a rounder wheel? I'm not trying to upset anyone here on EMTBravo but I'm entitled to my own opinion after reading everyone's response to this topic and my opinion is that when Tarrytown PD dispatchs for local village calls, everything works smoothly and when we get dispatched to Thruway or Tappan Zee Bridge calls thru 60 control, the dispatch information is not consistantly accurate.

The purpose for EMTBravo is to express different opinions and therories for Police, Fire and EMS. I have read carefully all of the opinions expressed in this topic but do not necessarily agree with the majority here. I can not speak for other jurisdictions. All I can say is that the dispatch by Tarrytown PD for Fire and EMS has been effective for many years and I do not see a need for an additional step in the dispatch process.

Have you seen what is done at Tarrytown PD dispatch before YOUR comment? The bottom line is that when E-911 goes to Tarrytown PD, they are familiar with the area, dispatch EMS and Fire right away and there haven't been any problems ... for years! So why change it now? I don't see the need to implement an extra step of transfering the call to 60.

"If it is a 911 call and the PD transfers it to 60 Control, that information comes up on the ANI/ALI screen." NEWS FLASH! Not all information on the ANI/ALI screen is accurate. The local cops can recognize this and make the necessary correction. Also, why incorporate an extra step by having the cop transfer the call to 60 when he can just initiate the page? Sounds like we can eliminate the middle man. "Oh yeah, our CAD system which, despite what many would like to believe, is smarter then most people". So in other words, you'r basically saying that it takes no brain to dispatch? Just rely on CAD..... after all, computers NEVER crash. Right? "It all depends on the jurisdiction to step up and do a little homework to make things as flawless as possible". Like I said, If its not broken, don't fix it.

If its not broken, don't fix it. I work EMS in Tarrytown (and NYC but that's another story). The system for dispatching EMS and Fire in Tarrytown is working fine. I can see problems with 60 dispatching countywide. The local Police know certain areas and issues. For example, in Tarrytown there is a large apartment complex where you need to ask the caller for the address, building number, and apartment number. If any of that information is missing, then there will be a response delay. All the local cops know this but a 60 dispatcher that is not familiar may miss this, creating a delayed response. Also, in the heat of the moment, when a citizen calls in an emergency, they may not be able to articulate information accurately. Main street in what city? In Sleepy Hollow, there is a North Broadway and a New Broadway...a 60 dispatcher may write down "N. Broadway" and dispatch to the wrong location. Also, the local cops know the local regular callers, the trouble spots where hazards may exist. I also feel that when 60 dispatchs for calls on the NYS Thruway or Tappan Zee Bridge (Tarrytown jurisdiction) that the dispatch information is incomplete or not accurate. Several times, me and my partner have driven for miles because the dispatch information was not accurate. It makes a huge difference when you are dispatched southbound and the accident is northbound. Incorrect mile markers, told that the accident is on 287 when its on an exit ramp.

=========== Scary!

Does anyone know if there is a Westchester County EMT & Paramedic memorial or museaum? After recently reading about Empress EMS's Lt. Salvatore maybe there should be a place where we can honor our EMT's and Paramedics. A museaum with pictures, plaques, EMS tools and ambulances from the past and present. Does anyone have any thoughts? Maybe a memorial / museaum could help recognize our profession more and give us the respect we deserve.

There was a recent post about Lt. S. here on EMTBravo.

That's great that NY State has an EMS memorial but its pretty far away from Westchester. Maybe WC should have its OWN memorial / museum to remember our outstanding EMT's / Paramedics.

It sounds to me like this probie has some serious anger management & integrity issues. In the interest of public safety, is there any standard of conduct that could have him removed from public service? Should there be corrupt politicians protecting this probie, maybe they should be removed from office as well. After all, this probie will be in a position of public trust. Will he be stealing from a homeowner's house during a fire? Will he rescue a victim during a critical incident or will he be looking to protect his own a$$? Should one of his fellow firefighters need assistance will he be there to help or will he let someone die because he doesn't get along with his fellow firefighters? Who could look into this matter? The D.A.'s office? The U.S. Attorney's office? Does the firefighter's union have anything to say about this? I know that the firefighter's union exists to protect the firefighters but if this probie is a bad apple....wouldn't the union better protect the real, dedicated firefighters from this probie?

Maybe as an honor to Lt. Salvatore, Empress should retire #301.

I didn't know Lt. Thomas Salvatore but will keep him in my prayers. Taken at at age 33 is tragic. He sounded like he was a great man.

I know I won't win any popularity contests here but with Westchester County being the highest taxed county in the entire United States, was this utility really needed? Actually, does WC-DES need any fire apparatus at all? There's plenty of municipal FD's out there. It seems to be a waste of tax payer dollars.

Lets start off with endangering the welfare of a child, Involuntary manslaughter - recklessness, Criminal possession of a weapon??? (depending on the circumstances).... and for the grand finale (drum roll please.....) STUPIDITY in the first degree.

I would agree that EMT's need to develop better clinical judgement and common sense.

The only problem is that some people in Tarrytown EMS do not use this feature and leave the key in the ignition. Lenox Hill Hospital EMS (in Manhattan) also uses the same key removal system and it works very well. When you have a 2 person EMS crew and you need to keep the emergency lights, patient compartment lights & A/C running, it works very well. After all, the driver can not always guard the vehicle at a scene since he is needed for other tasks. Some agencies do not have this system but have the driver carry an extra set of keys so he can lock the doors and use the extra keys for re-entry.