STAT213

Not for nothing, but how hard is it to slow down and clear the intersection before you blast through it? This was not an accident, it was a preventable occurence. When will we learn? What was gained by driving like this, and in this case, what was lost? Rant over...hope all make it through this ok, especially the driver of the rig that slammed into the other. I would hate to be in his shoes the most, having to live with that.

So, as far as has been posted on here, no law yet exists allowing Fire or EMS apparatus to have blue lights as part of their warning packages. Yet, time after time someone puts up pictures of their new deliveries and there they are: Blue lights. Why do people think it is acceptable to just disregard this section of the V and T code? Is it a societal thing? I can tell you that it does not happen here in NH. I have not seen ONE Fire or EMS vehicle with a blue light. Not one. So, why do people in NY behave this way? Can anyone answer this question? I only offer the example of NY d/t the location of the majority of folks on the board. It might not be limited to NY. Is it an enforcement issue? If I was a trooper and saw an ambulance with blue lights, they would get the standard fix it warning, followed by the citation. I know I would not operate an emergnecy vehicle in NYS that had blue lights on them. I would be willfully violating a V and T law. I would politely tell my employer to find me another vehicle to use that did not violate the law. Can anyone rightfully defend the practice? Now as for the whole don't talk about blue lights part of this forum, I believe that the motivation of that law was to stop the relentless bickering about the use of blue lights on POVs, not the violation of the law in putting them on emergency vehicles. Now, if the law has changed, and they are allowed...awesome. I will happily retract my post. Happily.

Yup, I've flowed WAY more than 1500 GPM out of my 1500 GPM pump. WAY more.

For me, it is not about the lights. It is about disregarding the law. Plain and simple.

So that makes it ok? Wow. My argument is this: Stop breaking the law. Set the example by being a professional and obeying the law. I like the combination of blue and red lights as much as the next guy. Problem is, in NY it is NOT allowed. And yet department after department just says...screw it, we will do what we want. Amazing to me.

Sigh. I guess talking about public safety officials wantonly violating existing laws is just...yes...not important. In my opinion, it is important and relevant. So, I discuss it.

That to me, is the definition of too much light. These new LED packages are too bright and a danger to both the troopers and motorists passing them. Just cause you can, does not mean you should. Other than that, it is a sharp car.

Its funny hearing stories of the old Empress. I worked for Eastern Paramedics at the tail end of its hay day before they sold out. They were very similar companies. Even had the same kinda sups mobile. Same circus, different clowns. Good times.

And, when you stop and think about it, this is completely terrifying. I am sure the law was written with good intent. But, to HAVE to submit to an unlawful order and an out of control officer of the law is well, terrifying.

RSM, Thank you for reminding us not to monday morning quarterback calls. But, if you don't do that how do you learn? Remember the definition of insanity, doing the same thing over and over again and expecting a different result. What was asked in the beginning of this thread were reasons to use a helicopter when you are SO close to a trauma center and on a major road that leads to it. It is being critiqued here because it does not make sense. Using the helicopter will ADD time in this case, not save it - all things being equal. That's why it was asked - what would be the reasons to use the a/c. People here have been for the most part respectful and trying to learn, not just flaming the people who were involved in this call. Like WAS said, we do not have all the info, so we can't make a decision. But, looking at it from the outside, something seems amiss. That's all.

I'll jump in here. Yes, there is a place for using medevac close a trauma-rama center. Will the crew bring something to the scene that you don't have or need? IE RSI, blood, chest tubes, etc. Other thoughts are for traffic, etc. I did scene calls this close to the medical center when I was there. Didn't get all of them, but hey, I was just a guy in a suit, happy to get out of the office to fly!!! Waiting for a helicopter when you can drive to the trauma center. Bad idea. Helicopters don't save lives. Especially now that I work on a fire engine!!! Getting to the trauma center saves lives. Do it in the fastest, safest manner possible. (I will argue with you until I am blue in the face that helicopter transport is as safe if not safer than ambulance transport.) Something I always tried to do but never was able to pull off was to land and then hop in the bus for the ride to the ED. For transports close to the hospital, that is the fastest. Eliminates the move to the a/c and the unload at the hospital. Its a never ending process, figuring out the EMS thing. Sometimes too, you get down a road and can't see that you're taking the longer, harder road until you get to the end. I always hope that I can figure that out and not take the road twice!!!

Banned from entering the firehouse is absolutely ridiculous. Nice sense of brotherhood that gives you, huh? Mutts.

One of the things I can never understand is how municipalities can justify chassis like the Quantum. They are huge and filled with bells and whistles that frequently break, and are in my opinion overpriced. It just seems irresponsible to me to purchase a truck that costs more than you need to spend. I guess its what I can justify. I can justify the custom chassis like the Contender, but not the Quantum. Why do you need it? I know the rigs I drive everyday get me to and from the calls, and I have the recliner in the station for my comfort. I am a thrifty taxpayer and seeing stuff like Quantums, extra lights and the like make me wonder if those spending my hard earned tax dollars are doing it in the right manner. Thoughts?

FF Lieu what you clearly fail to understand is that the Clinton "assault" weapons ban was an utter failure. It did nothing. These weapons exist. Do you REALLY think that someone intent on killing lots of other people is going to pay attention to some violation or misdemeanor level offense related to what kind of weapons they are going to use when committing murder? C'mon. No one needs a street sweeper. But don't you tell me for a second that I cannot protect my family with whatever means I deem necessary from that punk with the street sweeper. And don't tell me to wait for the professionals to show up, cause we've seen how well THAT works. And seeing as you want to point out your version of statistical fun...take a brief look at countries that have significantly restricted firearms and what it has done to their levels of violent crime. Then, take a look at what has happened in states that have passed good concealed carry laws. Gun control laws are by and large feel good laws for politicians to say they have done something about crime when in fact they do not work. And, just where did you come up with that line about nine times out of ten the yahoo who pulls his weapon getting popped.

A lot of the federal money is grant based, and how you write your grants is crucial. It could be that one town has better writers than the other.

I am not a fan of those Haz Tac and Rescue Medic busses. I am sure they serve their purpose, but I don't like being that separated from my partner, and the turning radius on those things must be insanely huge. I am a fan of ambulances being ambulances. Have someone else bring all that extra stuff. I understand the thinking behind it, just not my bag.

Wow, pretty nasty budget cuts...and a lot of money for what amounts to a pick up. I hope they can at least afford a used light bar for it.

Ahh, yes...medic 25. good times!!

Statements along the lines of "you have nothing to fear" are exactly why the fourth amendment exists. While I respect my law enforcement brethren to a degree, many of you take on the idea that everyone is guilty of something. This leads to statements such as the few above, which to me are truly frightening. If you want to search me, get a warrant. These are the rules, and you must play by them. Its what keeps us from becoming a police state.

If it makes you feel any better, we have the same knuckleheaded breed of politician up here. Hang in there boys.

Ok. Raise your hands if you have EVER seen a TRUE anaphylactic reaction... And, I don't mean some itching, or some wheezes...a TRUE life or death situation.

As for carrying narcotics on your person, that is downstate thing. I've never seen that practice anywhere else. My narcs now are in a safe in the ambulance with a combination lock on it. At STAT they were in a locked drawer and a locked container. As far as meds go, we have a policy to keep the ambulance running when outside if temps inside will be either above or below acceptable limits. In addition, in NH, each ambulance must have garage space, you cannot store your rigs outside.

Or, you can move to a state not governed by lunatics!

Working at the four house here in NH. Batt 2 Derry Fire on duty. Merry Christmas everyone!!

NH Temsis tracks this as one of your times, just like any other.