STAT213

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Posts posted by STAT213

  2. Posted

    Somebody above me stated its NFPA/OSHA rules to be geared up while driving/riding. Can you cite the specific NFPA Standard? Now, while working, heck yea.

    I highly doubt you have all the info. I work for a NFPA savvy department, and have never heard this. In fact, knowing what little I know about the NFPA I doubt they would mandate something that would hinder you. In, addition if this is the case, how do you reconcile the wearing of NFPA recommended headsets. Aint no helmet worn with those. As for putting on your gloves on the way to a call, nope. That is just plain silly.

    I would really check your source of info. Might be one of those myths that are out there...

  3. Posted

    Ok, here is the lineup.

    LifeNet (a division of Airmethods Corp.) runs four aircraft in the state.

    Life Net 7-1 Aka Albany One an EC 135 out of Albany Med

    Life Net 7-2 out of Glen NY. Either an AS 350 B2 or a BO-105

    Life Net 7-3 aka STAT Flight Air One BK-117 A3 out of WMC

    Life Net 7-4 aka STAT Flight Air Two BK-117 A4 out of Kobelt Airport.

    WMC USED key word here folks USED to run the a/c. The defaulted on payment to their vendor and it is now privatized. Joy.

    Also in New York, located out of Stewart Int'l Airport is the NYSP Aviation Division. They have 2 A/C.

    Lifeguard 17 a Bell 430

    Lifeguard 18 a Bell 407

    They are staffed by Mobile Life Support Services and have one paramedic on the a/c. Yup one. Not a nurse and a paramedic, but one paramedic. Oh, and they operate in violation of a number of federal statutes. But, who is counting?

    In Jersey, you used to have just 2 a/c, both run by the Jersey State Police.

    There are now 4

    One NJSP S-76 B is based out of an airport in Northern Jersey @ Somerset County Airport.

    The other is based out of Trenton; they also run a spare.

    PHI runs 2 aircraft in Jersey, in partnership with Atlantic City Medical Center and with Monoc. Both are EC-135s.

    Connecticut has the two a/c run by Hartford Hospital as mentioned above.

    Both are currently BK117s (not sure if A3 or A4)

    One is based at Hartford Hospital and the other is Based at Backus Hospital in Norwalk, CT.

    For those wanting pictures of EMS helicopters, here is a link to pretty much the best site around for them. Its run by a 10 year old kid.

    http://alecbuck.com/airambulance/mediagallery/index.php

    Want to know more. PM me, I'll fill you in on the rest.

    Rob

  4. Posted

    I think I can offer some insight on this one...

    A resource for anyone wanting to play on helicopters:

    www.flightweb.com

    If you want to be hired on as a flight medic, get ALL of your certs, and instructor ones help more. Have 3 or more years of good experience in in a BUSY 911 system. Have some experience doing ALS transfers.

    Get your CCEMT-P and be prepared to take the FP-C.

    As for the comment about nurses...there are no nurse/nurse programs left in the Northeast. STAT used to fly with one a/c as nurse/nurse for the neonate calls, but those days are over. LifeStar still flies with a Nurse and an RT. So, don't apply for a job in CT.

    If you really want to do it, do some ride alongs. See if you like it. Its not like any other medic job out there, and is really a mix of nursing and paramedicine.

    If you have any questions, PM me. I've been doing it for a while now.

  5. Posted

    My LT asked me once, as we were going to the cat in the tree call...

    "Rob, have you ever seen a cat skeleton in a tree??" I 'bout fell out of my seat(belt), but the cat owner didn't quite see it as funny.

    We are a service organization, and the call of last resort for many people. Go there, offer suggestions and do what you can. Remember, that person calling may be the one vote you need to get that new fire engine/house/gear/STAFFING...

    I think those before me have covered the options pretty well.

    R

  7. Posted

    I'll always remember something a very seasoned (and good) paramedic told me when I started in this profession...

    "The amount of gear carried on the belt (or person) is inversely related to their knowledge and ability."

    I liked what he had to teach me, and began to believe what I saw. My gear goes in my bags, and my hands in my pockets. To this day, when I am doing EMS, you won't find a thing on my belt, and nothing other than a pair o gloves and one medication cheat sheet in my back pocket.

    Now, there are a few more tricks unto the flight suit, mind you...

    And, of course the bunkers are a whole nuther topic...

    Be safe,

    Rob

  8. Posted

    Ok, all you smooth bore fanatics...

    I agree fully that the smooth bore has its place, and is a great nozzle. How 'bout foam? Can't do it with a smooth bore, right? What do you feel are the advantages to having a smooth bore vs. the ability to flow foam? From what I have been taught, (I am talking about Class A foam here) adding foam to your water gives a huge advantage. So, add that to the discussion...

  9. Posted

    thanks all for the Putnam/Orange/Dutchess replies!

    What about Rockland? I remember once seeing a Suburban? marked for "Rockland Paramedics" (I think)???

    Doubt things have changed, but when I worked there (3 years ago), RPS (www.rocklandparamedics.org) staffed a number of medic units.

    Medic 1 was a RMC/Regional truck in Haverstraw.

    Medic 3 was in New City at New City Vac.

    Medic 3-1 was in Tuxedo (Orange County) Single Medic.

    Medic 2-1 was in Orangeburg in their own station.

    Medic 2-3 was in Ramapo at RVAC.

    Medic 2-5 was in Spring Valley @ SHVAC.

    Medic 5 in Nyack at their own station (shared Building with one of the Nyack FD companies)

    All but medic 3-1 staffed with two medics, two sets of gear.

    Again, my info may be a little out of date, but I still talk to some of the folks there.

  11. Posted

    The ONLY parade you should be attending is in your own town. There no excuse, reason or explanation good enough to send the fire apparatus that your taxpayers paid for out of town to play show and tell.

    If you can't tell, I am pretty passionate about this little subject. I would love for someone to try and tell me why they think its ok to send your apparatus out of town for something like a parade.

    You can say morale, you can say pride, you can say tradition. The fact remains that the apparatus in your town (for the most part) aren't yours. They are the taxpayers' and they belong in town providing their fire protection.

  12. Posted

    Just curious what the process for hiring and training of FNGs is in Westchester. I never looked into it when I lived down there.

    Up here in NH, there is ONE test for the entire state. It is run by the state fire academy once a year and includes a written, aerial climb and CPAT.

    You are then placed on a list which is mailed to all state departments that have career components. Each department has different requirements/minimums and some even do testing above and beyond the state test. i.e. one department actually does a swim test.

    That's the brief version of it. There's lots of jobs to be had up here, so if you don't like living so close to the evil empire's headquarters, look into a move to a place where the motto is live free or die!!!

  14. Posted

    Sutphen makes great ladders. I have not heard the greatest feedback on their engines. I know of a number of departments that are not thrilled with them for a number of reasons. You really don't get that kind of feedback about their ladders, though.

    An interesting fact...most of the engines are made out east here, and the ladders are made in Ohio. Not sure what that is all about, but a former department of mine bought a tower and an engine made at separate plants, and it was like they were from two different manufacturers. One sucked and one rocked, both from day one.

  16. Posted

    ok, change it to...sigh just what mt pleasant needs...another ladder. Period. make it a tower, a stick...no difference, still a waste of taxpayers $$$.

    Chu Chu, I am quite familiar with the Town. I used to live, and to work there. In lieu of getting into a giant #@$% measuring contest, I will wish you happy holidays!!! If you want to know more about me, fire off a PM. I'll be happy to talk until I am blue in the face about what I think could be done differently in the fire service. Ask anyone on here about my opinions, cause I got 'em. :)

    And, I do not blame Hawthorne for trying to replace their truck. If I was on there, I would probably try and keep what I had too. As an outsider, I can say that we spend too much money all over the fire service on duplicated apparatus.

  19. Posted

    One thing that is rarely mentioned by those lauding SSM is what it does to the crews. I did SSM for 6 years and am lucky to still have a functioning back. Granted you do find ways to beat the system, but a cold snowy night with no calls stuck in the slowest post is just that.

    The commercial services that are usually for SSM are doing it to SAVE MONEY. It is more efficient to have your people out on the road instead of housing them in stations. If you station them, you need more crews. SSM benefits the company and they sell/spin it by saying its best for the customer. The only loser is the mope in the truck.

  22. Posted

    I love how some guys go "backdraft" with no bunkerpants and such. 

    Firefighter57, that is part of their PPE in Boston. Remember, just cause someone, somewhere taught us something, does not make it right. One of the best things one of my instructors once told me was: Half of what I am gonna teach you is wrong, I just don't know which half yet.

    Check their website. You do not need to wear Bunkers in Beantown, it is up to the individual firefighter.

    http://www.cityofboston.gov/bfd/news/New_B...Gear_Policy.htm

  23. Posted

    I think it's ridiculous for an All Volunteer Corps, that already has about a 2-hour Ambulance call (ie: North Salem, Somers, Lewisboro, Pound Ridge), now has to take even more time away from work, family, dinner, etc.  to transport to White Plains Hospital! 

    Then, Res20cue, it is time for you to hang up your uniform, your green light, and stay home.

    This is where the EMS train is headed. Get on or get off, the choice is yours and it is ok either way.

  24. Posted

    Ok, a couple of things here. I love all the critics of what is arguably one of the premier fire departments in the nation.

    I am fairly confident that they have seen more fire than the vast majority of you on this site put together. They may not have followed YOUR sop for car fires, are you aware of what theirs are? Have you gone online to read their PPE SOP?

    As for the PASS alarms. They go off. A lot. And, as for the comment about the PASS alarm going off in the station...did you notice if it was change of shift? Part of checking your PPE should include checking that PASS device. Every day. Do you do it when you do your truck checks? Do you do truck checks?

    All I am saying, in a somewhat harsh manner, is that I have no tolerance for all the people who watch a TV show that essentially shows a glimpse of life in a working firehouse, and you see a few inconsistencies and are suddenly the experts on how bad Boston Fire is. They may not do everything your way, and that does not make it wrong. Not offering excuses for some of the things that went on, but c'mon now. The show has been off for a few hours, and you are jumping all over them for stuff you saw. What are your credentials and experience that give you the priviledge to do that?