Goose

I have a feeling that more than 90% of the time paramedics either beat VACs or are only a few minutes behind them in westchester. I just don't really see the point here, especially when the scope of practice is so limited.

Thats definitely not the case at all. Lights are part of a warning package, if you will. That package includes color schemes and patterns, emergency lighting and audible warning devices.
Think about it, why are more and more agencies adopting European style color schemes and pattern and why are chevrons beginning to be mandated for emergency vehicles? Because studies have shown that certain colors, color combinations and patterns increase visibility to the human eye and help direct motorists away from the vehicle.

From what you say, maybe you did get shocked a few times and didn't realize it!! Are you insane? I understand that there are risks in EMS, but taking UNNECESSARY risks is just plain stupidity. I also believe that you are mistaken about the results of the CPR machines. (I will look for concrete data) Not to mention it makes the stopping CPR to carry down stairs or just move the patient a thing of the past. The machine performs compressions better then ANY EMT/Medic, and the best part is it doesn't get tired. Each and every compression is the correct depth and at the correct rate.

Everything a paramedic does is under medical control, be it off-line or on-line. That's why there is a regional credentialing process, to ensure that 1) you know the protocols and procedures and 2) ensure the REMAC physicians that you not only know the protocol but can carry out the protocols in a safe and effective manor (among other things).
This is what Westchester says about this (straight from the introduction section):
Anyone can be a cookie-cutter paramedic (or cookie-cutter anything, for that matter). But to make a blanket statement and equate carrying out an ALS treatment modality to making a betty crocker cake is ignorant, to say the least. I know a lot of being a paramedic today is supportive care, but there really is something to say for being a tactful/thoughtful clinician as opposed to someone who just pushes drugs because they can (cookie cutter medic).
In reference to the supervision issues, i never personally had an issue with any conditions boss. I only ran into a handful, always seemed to catch the same ones when i was in the bronx - had a few medics and EMTs. Really had no issue with any of them. They were always helpful, friendly and never busted my stones or questioned my care. Even had one go to bat for me when an engine company left us hanging on an arrest on the 13th floor of the projects. Actually, i kind of liked having them around.
That said, you can't measure a boss by what patch he wears on his shoulder. You have to measure him or her by the man or woman they are and their ability or inability to manage the men and women of the job and the issue of the day. In the case of EMS, everyone is part of the clinical picture - everyone brings something to the table. Sort of like a fire department - engines, trucks, rescues. We've got CFRs, EMTs, Medics and bosses - all specialized units in our own regard who hopefully can build off the other and get the job done. Hopefully that makes sense...i know a lot of the people here are fire people, if it doesn't i apologize i know nothing about the fire department!

What about an under appreciated, under paid and compensated, paramedic that needs to work 3 jobs to survive?

What about an under appreciated, under paid and compensated, paramedic that needs to work 3 jobs to survive?

As I've said we (career and volunteer alike) share many of the same views so in fact we have much more in common than not.

I have no doubt that this is true.

Yes we do and it is from this common ground that we should build.....and should have from the beginning.
Cogs

All of these "issues" could have been solved years ago if the county had the authority to mandate everyone go to 60 control dispatching. That would justify modernization of equipment, expansion of capabilities and proper staffing. Having you're own dispatching center just compounds the fragmentation and makes the problem worse in the long run. Westchester just doesn't seem to get it...we are so far behind the 8 ball as compared to the rest of the country (hell, even the tri-state area) it's only a matter of time before all of this blows up in our face...

I wonder where the mayor/Larobina came up with the statement that if the volunteer companies were to disban the SFRD would have to hire 117 new firefighters which would increase the budget by 48%?? When the Asst. Chief of the SFRD gave him a ZERO cost plan to cover the WHOLE city!!! How is it that the new SVFD would only need 58 new firefighters but the SFRD would need 117??? I guess they don't remember that SFRD already is covering with Engines 7, 8, and 9! More miss-information...great job mr. Mayor or should we say Mike Larobina... who is really running city hall these days?

I have also heard the same things and have some friends in their program now. I looked over some of their module materials and they appear to be pretty squared away. My only concern for them has been job placement - i really don't know how an online degree stacks up to a classroom one in the eyes of an employer.
Personally, i know i really prefer a classroom setting...just seem to learn better that way.

That's a great book. I also recommend dosage calculations made incredibly easy . Other than that, i never came across a software program for drug math.
I just spent hours working out problems with paper and pencil. Not sure if this will help you but i always think in terms of a 1000cc IV bag for infusions, made it easier for me to get the concentration of medication per cc.
Also check out the PDF i attached, i found it through an EMS continuing education website i frequent...it helped me when i was in school.
drugmath.pdf

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county

Yeah, yeah, i know...i know nothing. All the time i spent working in the city of poughkeepsie, dutchess and ulster counties are worthless. I'm going to go hang my head in shame because what i have to say from first hand experience in the field means nothing.
If you wan't to call reality on the ground mud-slinging so be it. The city's loss, heart goes out to my former city EMS providers.

Outside career departments ( i know of at least one in Westchester) do send their officer candidates to FDNY FLIPS school. Besides, to be eligible you need 5 years as an FDNY firefighter. That's more experience than probably any volunteer department can offer. As far as the actual content of the class - someone in the know would have to detail that.
I'm not a firefighter, but im close friends with a bunch and the father-in-law is an FDNY Lt on a busy truck and i take issue with the tone of the first part of you're comments. I know the father-in-law is anything but a paper pusher, hes a respected fire officer and leader of firefighters...be that on a fire scene, at the fire house or off duty.
Nice topic bendel, something that needs to be discussed.

The altercation with police is going to throw a red flag, for sure. Not sure how lenient FDNY EMS is, but times are changing and less and less is being tolerated. They will probably question you in regards to the termination as well as the car accidents. I know the NYPD does. Anything is fair game for these guys, they will know you better than you know yourself.
My advice is to try and beat them at their own game. Dunno where you are in the process but i would have all of those explanations/depositions and what have you copied into packets. If you need to go to the investigator, psych etc. give them each a packet when you go for said interview. Being upfront and forward is going to only help you. Thats the advice i got from a close friend for the NYPD process.
Again, i don't know how FDNY handles these things, so the above may or may not be totally applicable. I think generally, though, you need to make sure you have all your "t's" crossed and you're "I's" dotted and make sure you stay out of trouble.

I don't think it's a bad thing, but does anyone really pay much attention to it? I didn't even know it existed, let alone that i had a -2 rating lol.

You do realize that the only thing that got this country out of the great depression was World War II. Much of the New Deal was ineffective...

Exactly. And the government cant even run the current social welfare programs properly. The only refreshing part of this bill is that many of the democrats just put a bullet in any hope of re-election in November (besides, this is all cyclical...midterm party majorities always flip flop).

After reading all of the posts here about MLLS most do not know our operation and most will not know until you have an oppurtunity to work for the MLSS family. Besides being the premier agency in the Hudson valley we have accountability within our employees which I am very proud of and thats what has gotten us to be the premier provider. Besides there is so much behind the scenes that most of you don't see for instance MLLS is the reason we as ALS providors have cpap now in our protocols we are the company that took it upon ourselves to for go the expense to be the pilot company in the Hudson Valley to get everyone the availability of cpap now if your providor chooses not to have such a valualbel tool well I'm sorry for you. I also am not able to elaborate but there is also new technology that is being tested in the field as we speak.So the bottom line is instead of bashing the MLLS family come on over to New Windsor and see for yourself what we are about. That goes for all of you that can be accountable for your actions. Remember there is no life like Mobile life

Yeah, yeah, i know...i know nothing. All the time i spent working in the city of poughkeepsie, dutchess and ulster counties are worthless. I'm going to go hang my head in shame because what i have to say from first hand experience in the field means nothing.
If you wan't to call reality on the ground mud-slinging so be it. The city's loss, heart goes out to my former city EMS providers.

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county

Yeah, yeah, i know...i know nothing. All the time i spent working in the city of poughkeepsie, dutchess and ulster counties are worthless. I'm going to go hang my head in shame because what i have to say from first hand experience in the field means nothing.
If you wan't to call reality on the ground mud-slinging so be it. The city's loss, heart goes out to my former city EMS providers.

Can't say i agree. Bunch of good, seasoned, City providers will be moving on with this change. As a side bar MLSS has wanted this contract forever....we hated it when they opened up their station in the city limits and would consistently buff 911 jobs. I remember on occasion where a City FD Captain reamed the MLSS crew out for their buffing efforts. Obviously my loyalty lies with the Alamo holdovers (now TC) and it upsets me that they will either have to move on or go through another change of shirts...those that regularly work out of the city are loyal, dedicated, enthusiastic and have great working relationships with FD and PD. It's going to take time for things to re-formulated.
Oh well, such is par for the course in Dutchess county