Ambulance squads that do rescue

[21Truck 8]

What are people's opinions on this. SHould a squad do just ems and transports whether is a BLS or an ALS squad or should they also do rescue like Extrication, Rope teams and Dive teams? My squad currently runs 3 ambulances, a small rescue and a paramedic fly car and are always fighting with the fire dept about doing rescue work.

[27east 19]

I think this is work for the FD.

BTW: Out in Jersey, I believe University Hospital in Newark runs a heavy resuce.

[Guest WolfEMT]

There will always be some controversy as to who is more qualified to do rescue work. I think the answer lies in what is the best for the community in which you serve. For example, my EMS squad used to do rescue work. However, the 3 fire districts which my EMS squad serves also does rescue. Because it was pretty much overkill to have 4 emergency service entities doing the exact same thing, we dropped the rescue and now let the appropriate fire company handle that aspect of the call. If an EMS squad can handle the rescue end of things and the FD doesn't have a rescue truck, then I think the EMS squad should do rescue. If the FD has a rescue truck and tools, then I think FD should do rescue. It all comes down to which can serve the most effieciently in the respective area.

[21Truck 8]

There will always be some controversy as to who is more qualified to do rescue work. I think the answer lies in what is the best for the community in which you serve. For example, my EMS squad used to do rescue work. However, the 3 fire districts which my EMS squad serves also does rescue. Because it was pretty much overkill to have 4 emergency service entities doing the exact same thing, we dropped the rescue and now let the appropriate fire company handle that aspect of the call. If an EMS squad can handle the rescue end of things and the FD doesn't have a rescue truck, then I think the EMS squad should do rescue. If the FD has a rescue truck and tools, then I think FD should do rescue. It all comes down to which can serve the most effieciently in the respective area.

Yea we have controversy with the one dept here. the whole thing was the squad used to do all the extrication work for years until the one FD wanted it. Squad agreed on it if 6 members became EMTS which they did. The squad has since been sort of a backup unit and is seldome used and people are seldom trained which no matter how hard i push for it no one wants to do it but they refuse to get rid of them or the truck. Each dept in the ambulance district has them and the truck hardly rolls yet they still want them and they sit idle forever. I gave up trying because no one wants to bother. I think it could work nicely to do ajoint team with the fd to assist thema s long as the medical side is covered

[calhobs 110]

I have been told that most Ambulances outside of the tri-state area do do rescue, I dont know if this is true, but i have heard it mentioned in conversations. Actually my Corp just got a rescue tool.

[BFD1054 1,552]

The whole Rescue Squad concept is very, very popular in Ne Jersy. A friend of mine is an NJ-EMT, amongst other cert's. She tells me all about her squad and all that they do. They run a heavy rescue, numerous ambulances, rehab unit, bike team and even do swift-water rescue! Heres their website....

http://www.whitehouserescue.com/

[ONLOCATION 24]

This is a very interesting topic especially for the New Jersey Dept's. Fair Lawn, NJ Has a very extensive Rescue Squad with 2 Rescue's and a Haz-Mat Unit with Command/Work Station. Both Rescue's are Saulsbury bodys with Spartan Cab's. Extrication, Air bags, Haz-mat, the whole nine yards.

But also Fair Lawn FD Has multiple Companies and a Large Command/ Special Operations Rescue. Talking to some members of both agencies a year ago and there were some problems between the two. I just can't recall if any of the FD rigs carried a tool, I'm Pretty sure there was one on a Rescue Engine. WHo's responsability is it to provide these services? I guess if you already have such an extensive rescue Sqd. set up let them handle it and respond to calls together know your agencies role at the scene.

Edited August 21, 2005 by ONLOCATION

[ONLOCATION 24]

Websites of some Rescue Squads:

www.ramseyrescue.com

www.fairlawnheavyrescue.com

[NJFDPLFC5 0]

What are people's opinions on this. SHould a squad do just ems and transports whether is a BLS or an ALS squad or should they also do rescue like Extrication, Rope teams and Dive teams? My squad currently runs 3 ambulances, a small rescue and a paramedic fly car and are always fighting with the fire dept about doing rescue work.

Where I ride in New Jersey the Ambulance squad does the rescue with Fd back up . The problem is that the squad does not have the manpower to handle it . About 2-4 gung ho members show up with there huge rescue truck and no ambulance . They tr to do the extracation but they neglect Pt care so the FD EMTs and Paramedics I being one of them end updping the Pt care because the EMS service is neglecting them.

[x635 4,066]

BTW: Out in Jersey, I believe University Hospital in Newark runs a heavy resuce.

University Of Medicine And Dentistry New Jersey, the EMS provider for Newark and East Orange, NJ runs a heavy rescue staffed by two highly trained EMT's.

They are the primary automotive extrication agency in the city, and also provide technical rescue, tactical EMS, and bariatric rescue. FD and PD also run heavy rescues, but specialize in other roles. The EMS Rescue also responds on 10-13 calls, lift assists, etc and are frequently requested mutual aid for advice.

Due to the situation of the area , this rescue runs on numerous pin jobs and legit rescue jobs a week, sometimes a day, and usually has the car stabalized and the patient out of the car within 5 minutes of arrival...with 2 crew members. It is a promotional oppurtunity for the EMT's of UMDNJ, and requires a lot of training and ride time/interning before they even consider to consider you for the position. These guys maintain a lot of there own equipment in house as well, including the hydraulic rescue tools. And as I said...it goes way beyond autmotive extrication.

I'd say it works very well for the City Of Newark. And this is the only full-time, paid EMS Rescue in the country I believe.

For more information on Newark EMS, I highly suggest reading the awesome book "Into The Breach: A Year Of Life And Death With EMS"

Into the Breach is the true story of paramedics, emergency medical technicians, and heavy-rescue specialists fighting to control trauma and medical emergencies in one of America's toughest and most violent cities: Newark, New Jersey. A riveting account that hauls readers on a first-hand tour of street medicine today, Into the Breach shows what really happens inside an ambulance and some of the diverse and bizarre places EMS workers tread.

Edited August 21, 2005 by x635

[JBE 328]

I think this is a Jersey thing. There aren't too many other places I know where the EMS provider also handles heavy rescue/extrication.

[Guest]

Two questions:

What is bariatric rescue?

What is a 10-13?

Thanks.

[WAS967 97]

Bariatric is a PC way of saying overweight/obese patient.

10-13 in NYC means officer down. No idea what it is in Newark as I can't easily find a 10 code list for them.

[Guest NYTruckie]

Bariatric is a PC way of saying overweight/obese patient.

10-13 in NYC means officer down. No idea what it is in Newark as I can't easily find a 10 code list for them.

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Yonkers 10-13 is a PIAA

[Guest WolfEMT]

To put the topic back on track...

EMS Squads doing rescue is primarily a NJ thing. I asked around and I found out that according to NJ Law, municipalities only have to provide police and fire services to its residents. Because EMS is left out based on the context of the law, it is also left out of the NJ tax roles. However, if an EMS squad in NJ does rescue, then they can qualify for tax relief through the State.

[Jybehofd 85]

I think it would be a great thing if VACs did some rescue work but there would be butting of heads once fire is on the scene. Myself, being in one of few departments that is both EMS and Fire I have seen The buting of heads in each others business. Espically when it comes to the ambulance. Since some members refuse to know the basic or a little more about EMS with out becoming an EMT, they feel at times they know what is best for the patient. Because they have driven the ambulance before on a similar type of call. I am not knocking down anyone either fire or ems but there must be some level of cross training in-bewteen the two. Especially know after terrorist attacks. We all must know what each others job is and how to get it done to a certain level. It is just infortnate to say that egos and personal opions will get in the way of such and idea. The only people that would lose out on this would be the general public. When something big happens again.

It would be a great additional resource to have in case of something happend. It can be a back up or just something that runs along with fire to rescue calls. I know a few VAC/Squads in New Jersey that have these and they have been doing it for so long that they get along.

[Guest]

The Pittsburgh area uses ems rescue as well

Baldwin EMS, Pittsburgh EMS, Ross/West View EMSA

[SHAC7301 0]

EMS rescues are commonly seen in many other areas of the country. Going south from NY.....NJ, DE, MD, VA, NC, just to name a few states. The "squads" do ALS/BLS, Heavy Rescue and even fight fires as rescue companies or squads. All basic and advanced certifications must be met, including FFI and FFII for those squads which participate in firefighting operations.

The Charlottesville-Albemarle Rescue Squad (CARS) provides primary rescue and emergency medical services to the City of Charlottesville, the University of Virginia and most of Albemarle County. They are all-volunteer and responded to over 16,000 calls for service in 2004.

[WAS967 97]

Cross training for EMTs in rescue operations and FFs in basic patient care is always a good idea, especially in areas with a high volume of MVCs for example. I can't tell you how many times I've had the FD turn to me and ask how they should go about getting someone out of a car becuase they fear hurting the guy more. It's not been that many times, but the little I know about extrication has helped. I'd love to take a full on extrication tech class or something similar to learn the ins and outs of the tools and equipment. Anything that can better help me get the job done is a good thing IMHO.

[Guest]

Down in Myrtle Beach S.C. there are rescue squads who do everything.North Myrtle Beach Rescue (Rescue 8) runs bike teams, ocean rescue teams, 3 ambulances, fly cars, and extrication to supplement the fire dept and E.M.S. which is run by the county.Horry County Rescue Squad (Rescue 2) is based in Conway and have a dive team, ambulance, fly car, and a bad a** heavy rescue which was the first in the county.They run dive,extrication,trench,FAST Team,suppression, support, and anything else.They are highly motivated well trained by themselves and rely soley on public support (as do all other squads.)Surfside Rescue (Rescue 4) run 3 ambulances, ocean rescue, and extrication to supplement fire and E.M.S. Down there County Fire runs fire and E.M.S. and all extrication and rescue duties but there is plenty of work to go around and the volly squads grab up everything they can and more.

[Guest]

Its very interesting to see how departments operate on teh east coast. Im just wondering, why dont the fire departments just handle everything. Most departments out on the west coast do it all. The PD out here do not do rescues nor are there seperate EMS responder. For example, if theres any kind of rescue in the City of Los Angeles, the only agency you'll see is the LAFD to handle everything. We do have private ambulance companies, but they just transport mostly for the LACoFD.

[wcr20 17]

back in college i had a friend from Maryland who had ridden with Bethesda Chevy Chase

http://www.bccrs.org/

[Guest aussiegeorge]

over here in new south wales australia,a state with a population of 7 million we have 5 rescue services,the fire service,the ambulance service,the police dept,the state emergency service and the volunteer rescue assocation of nsw,in sydney the largest city pop 5 million the city is split up into 16 rescue areas with the fire dept having 9,the ambos 4,the police 1 ,the vra 1 and the ses 1.depending on which suberb the incident is in one of the acencys will respond.the ses and vra are vollie services and are mainly in the rural areas but the 2 in sydney are in areas near the city limits and are semi rural,there is a lot of turf wars still and the govt have been trying to get all the responders to work together for a long time,reports keep coming out recommending that just the fire dept do the rescue(in the cities anyway)but these reports keep getting swept under the carpet.Still it was worse years ago when the police and ambos had 7 rescue squads each and used to turn up to everything no matter where the call was,at least now you only go if the incident is in your rescu area,stupid thing is the fire depr turn out on all rescue calls with at least a engine company and end up doing most of the rescues anyway.it is still a s*** fight but i hear new york city is the same with the fire dept and cops fighting over rescue.