50-65

I'm not going to say that vollies are THE problem, only that they may be part of it. When I worked commercial EMS, we would have EMT's complain about the hours, complain about the low pay, complain about getting held for OT, then try to leave early so they could go volunteer at their corps. Admin figured why pay them more if they're willing to do it for free. Personally, I feel, that until EMS has NATIONAL standards, NATIONAL recognition, and becomes another profession (as it should) with a clear advancement ladder, we will be going no where. Set national standards. Make ALS a licensed, degree based profession. Basic EMT should be a starting point in a career, not a career in its self. ALS providers should be the standard of care pre-hospital, but not necessarily the top of the career ladder. If you were part of a hospital based system, maybe that career ladder could include EMS management, education, nursing, PA, MD, etc. Make EMS part of the health care system. While on the subject of national standards, can anyone explain to me how a person's physiology changes when they cross a town, city, county, or state line? If it doesn't, then why do we treat people differently for the same problem depending on where they happen to be? EMS should be a service just like fire and police. Fire and police have standards for employment. EMS? You have a pulse and a card, good to go. If EMS were municipal based, say, on the county level (maybe a seperate city-based system for larger urban areas), you could set standards, have a little more control over the professional level of provider. But, until we all stop trying to cut each other's throats, stop fighting like little children, and actually work together for all our good, nothing will change. As far as unions go, I believe that with a decent proposal, and some fair bargaining, you could probably start with some of the commercials. But the union can't expect to win their top goals in the first contract. It would have to be a process. Start with the smaller things like employee representation, recognition, disciplinary and grievance process', terms and conditions of employment. Then move into rates and pay structure, health benefits, etc.

My brother's office is only a few blocks from there. He said they went up to the 17th floor and were watching the scene for a while. This was only a few blocks from the high school and a nursing home. They were both put on lock down but thankfully the coward took his own life before it got totally out of control. It could've been much worse.

Uhh, yeah. Actually they pretty much don't care what it says. They are going to go about their business regardless. God forbid they have to pull over to let you pass because you know some a-hole is on your backstep to ease his own way through traffic. Once when going through a drive through with the ambulance the girl at the window looks out and says, "do you know that 'ambulance' is backwards?" We just said thanks we'll have someone take a look at it. It just didn't seem like it was worth the time to try and explain.

Deaths now reported at 14, including gunman. 4 in critical condition. They are reporting that the gunman was 42 y/o who recently was laid off from IBM. Mayor and Police Chief are not releasing any names or much of any info pending ID. This is my hometown and I still have a lot of family and friends there. My prayers to the people there.

yeah but with a 237 you ain't pulling away from much!!!!

Essentially it is a process to allow your engine RPM match your road speed. On the upshift, as you move the shifter through the neutral position, you release the clutch pedal, allow your RPM's to drop slightly to a range that will allow an easier transition into the next higher gear. EX: At 2100 RPM you want to go into the next gear up. You press the clutch pedal, move the shifter into the neutral position at the same time releasing the clutch pedal. As the RPM's drop to about 1600 you push in the clutch pedal and move the shifter to the next gear. On the down shift it is essentially the same except you have to give a little throttle as the shifter moves through the neutral position to keep the RPM's from dropping to low. It's easier to show someone than to explain. And yes, on most heavy trucks it is still required to shift this way. With practice, and each truck is different, you may be able to time it so that you can shift without the clutch. However, if you miss the gear or don't have it all the way in gear, you can do some major damage to the transmission. I have seen main gear shafts, about an 1" -1 1/2" hardened steel rod, bent from doing this. Modern passenger cars and light trucks have a synchronized transmission which eliminates the need to double clutch. With practice and experience, it really isn't any harder to do. It becomes second nature. Hope that helps. For real fun try an old Mack with a quadraplex tranny. Two shifters. One for the main transmission with 5 speeds and the second for the auxillary trans with 4 ranges. 20 speed trans but you have to shift both at the same time.

It doesn't really surprise me. The gov't has become extremely comfortable with telling everybody else what they can and cannot do, when and where it can or cannot be done, and how it is or is not to be done. Since they get most to be dependent on them through financing this and that and bribing them with federal aid, then they can say what you have to do in order to continue receiving the funding you are now relying on.

Mark, that was the point I was going to make. OT at 1.5 is generally cheaper than paying salary, benefits, etc. for an additional employee. The point at which it becomes irresponsible is when you no longer have the staff to safely operate or when the few people left to do the jobs of many get burned out. As far as the "stimulus" goes, it appears to me that it is proportional. If you have a job making millions of dollars, you get more. If you are barely scraping by working two or three jobs, or unemployed, or on welfare, well you don't need as much. But don't worry, if I can save enough of my "stimulus" I might be able to buy a T-shirt.

Apparently the memo that 13'6" doesn't fit under a 10'6" bridge didn't make it to the drivers' meeting. http://www.recordonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/...6006&Ref=PH

I have considered this option myself. Seeing some of those designs gives me some new ideas. I had heard of these before but had no idea there was a whole industry for it. Some of these containers can be had for less than $3000. Think about it. You could "frame" your whole house for less than 20K.

Not long ago is was a moose on the loose, now goats. What are you people doing over there? From today's Times_Herald Record Baaaaad goats! Creatures herded off NY Interstate Posted: March 25, 2009 - 7:27 AMNORTH CASTLE, N.Y. (AP) -- Heard of goats on the Interstate? New York state troopers have; and now you will too. Law enforcers and Samaritans escorted two goats off Interstate 684 in Westchester County on Tuesday. Trooper Lenon Charles estimates the four-legged pedestrians wandered up to five miles. Charles figures they were "on their morning walk." Humans escorted them between exits 4 and 3, from Mount Kisco to Armonk. The critters would walk a few steps, jump the guardrail and get right back on the highway. More law enforcers and a dog catcher joined the effort. Finally, two women corralled the goats on a deck in North Castle. The owner was found. Animal control officers decided no laws had been broken.

Yeah, but you know them goats. They would just eat it.

http://jobsearch.usajobs.gov/getjob.asp?Jo...=0&FedPub=Y

OK. I have only ever used the one type of bag, which I now know is a high pressure bag. I didn't even know they made other types as we have never used them or been exposed to them. As far as QTIP, I don't. I try to learn something new every day and today I did.

I'm not sure that I understand what you mean by "low pressure". We carry a variety of sizes. I'll have to check actual lifting capacities and sizes of each bag. These are the ones that run off a Scott bottle. The manufacturer's name escapes me right now. We have had them for as long as I can remember. I have been a member since '95. We recently added some larger sizes. As far as training with them, we usually incorporate them into an extrication drill which we try to do at least twice a year, although sometimes we will drill with just the bags. We have used them to lift a tractor trailer off a person (roll over with ejection) and about a year or so ago were called mutual aid for them and our cribbing for a car under a trailer.

Found this http://www.testprepreview.com/nremt_practice.htm. Practice tests for EMT-B,I,and P. If anyone has any interest.

And this thread wasn't just about me. I figured anybody might be interested in know who is hiring in case they might be looking for a change or just some extra work. Also, what about non-traditional EMS type jobs? Corporate, industrial, hospital, clinic, school, etc.

Yeah, I know. There are not too many agencies that will let you work as an "I" (in this region due to HVREMSCO protocol). I would love to take the medic program. Unfortunately, the kids still like to eat and bills still have to be paid. I just can't make the time committment at this time to do it. I wanted to expand my skills and experiences as I get back into EMS. The opportunity for the "I" class came up to I took advantage of it. I got a sponsor who also paid for the books, so it is basically costing me gas money to go to DCC-South 2x/wk.

It doesn't surprise me that DEC is trying to downplay the possibility. Large cats (not bobcats) have been sited in upstate areas for at least 6 years that I know of. Friends of ours near Cooperstown had a picture that could only be described as a very large cat taken by a trail camera. In Broome Co last year, several goats and sheep were killed. DEC said the kills were likely from bear, a theory not upheld by the number and manner of the kills. DEC continously denies that these cats exist in NYS. They also deny, as "rumors", that they are responsible for the big cats' return to NYS. Allegedly, they re-introduced the cats as natural preditors to help control the deer and coyote populations.

They're on tomorrows list of things to do. Is FDNY EMS still on 8 hr shifts? And does anyone know about UMDNJ? 12 hr shifts would almost make the commute worth it 1 or 2 days/nights a week. Just waiting until I get out of this "I" class in May. Taking NR also. There is so much more opportunity outside of NY. Places that you can almost afford to live and that pay like it's a real job.

Have an app in at TransCare and a couple of friends that work there. Word I got from Alamo is they are accepting applications but holding them for now. Went to HV in January and while they took the app, was told nothing for at least 8 wks. NDP too far any way. Couple of prospects for some per diem with a couple of the VACs with paid staff on this side.

X129, My apologies for getting off topic. I myself appreciate the fact that we have never had to call anyone with that level of expertise. But, like you, would like to know who we could call in that event.

Yes actually in that light it is not surprising. However, they still manage to find the time, funds, and equipment for parades, shows, and picnics. I'd be one of the last to jump on you for the last. If some people were willing to give a little and consolidate services you could do more for less and actually may end up having more. My pet peeve is the ridiculous amount of apparatus in any given area. In my own case, Orange County Battalion 3, which is pretty much the City and Town of Newburgh, has 16 Engines, 6 Ladders, 6 Heavy Rescues, 2 Tankers, and 12 "Multi-purpose". In addition is Air Guard's 4 CFR's and doesn't include Plattekill which has a small area of the town. Yet most departments can't handle a one room and contents or an MVA w/pin without calling for m/a.

In addition to Fairfield County for m/a to eastern Dutchess, does Columbia County have anything that could go m/a to the north? I'm really surprised that in a county such as Dutchess, given the area, population, and resources, that there aren't several specialized teams.

Another vote for "A CDL will make you a safer driver". Another graduate of a 7 day CDL school.