xfirefighter484x

Hey FFD941, you're welcome for the heads-up it was in town!!

I wonder what would happen if left alone with a few guards in an unobservable cell?? Death is an easy way out. I say make the bugger squirm, and feel REAL pain!! Pulling teeth out, toenails and fingernails out. Torture? Maybe, but it seems befitting.

Phasing out medevacs Fast transports....you got it!!

Awesome idea/concept/vehicle!!!!

When we call out to DC911 that we are leaving the scene and en route to a hospital, DC911 will advise you of whether or not the hospital is on diversion. Granted, that is if the hospital has notified the 911 center, but they seem to be pretty good at doing so. Either that, or word makes it back to the 911 center from other EMS agencies that have contacted the hospital, and are given the diversion order.

Thanks 1425!! Say hello to one of the newest dispatchers, 1445, he is a friend from school!!

Alan Brunancini (sp?)!!! Excellent chief from what I am told. The air pack issue was also done to prevent guys from moving around and getting packed up on the way (most times requiring to be un-seat belted to do so) to increase safety. You can tell firefighters to do things a certain way, but the mentality is still there, so you have to physically remove the temptation. My instructor up at school (DCC Fire Science) Dave Walsh, repeatedly praises Brunancini, and uses him for examples for many of the extremely progressive things he has done for the fire service in general, but specifically for the Phoenix FD, which has become a model for many other progressive FDs in the country. Unfortunately, I did not see this episode, if you find out about repeat times, let me know, I would love to see it. Had seen the ads for the series, but not that episode specifically.

ACTUALLY, this saying came from the only print-type machines. On the days you had to manually set the letters, you would set them facing upside down, so the print would be right-side up. SO, a lower-case "p" upside down would look like a "q", and vice versa. Therefore, you have to mind your "p's and q's" to make sure you didn't come up with the wrong letters in the sentence. Whats even more sad is when you know some of these without having to look them up (i.e. my posting).

Yup, I have had it since last year as well, shortly after it came out. I have always liked "Right Now" as well. Good taste Seth!! If you like them at all, check out the new Linkin Park LP, "Minutes to Midnight", There are soem very interesting tracks in there, especially "Hands Held High", enjoy those lyrics!

I would almost be certain that most animals have been cleaner than some patients you or I have taken up to the hospital before, no? I have seen quite a few "grungy" (to be nice) patients. Also yes, seeing-eye dogs go through all sorts of training so as to not become distracted by loud noises, but to be aware of them. Seeing-eye dogs in NYC deal with tons of commotions, horns, sirens, airhorns, large crowds; so I do not see them being in an ambulance as a terrible thing. In YOUR case Remember585, with yourself/partner being highly allergic, if you were the only ambulance available for the transport, how can you effectively treat someone when you yourself become physically incapacitated to treat a patient, red, watery eyes, sneezing, coughing, etc..... In this case, you did what you had to do, to effectively treat that patient. Once you get to the hospital, yes, no patient should be wandering around unaccompanied, and although a person may be used to their helper animal, there would have to be a human to lead them around anyways. I do, however, think that your decision to stop by and chat with this unfortunate patient of yours, and explain the situation would be most commendable. I would hate terribly for someone to feel angry/upset for a decision made such as that. That decision was in the best interest of everyones. One can only be so accommodating, until their own needs supersede those of the person they wish to administer aid to.

I think there are commercial covers out there, but a cheap and efficient way is, if you have any old/OOS 5" or 4" LDH, cut it up into small sections, and cut a line down the center to make a flat section, not in the circular shape of hose anymore. Now go and insert it under the bottle tension strap and voila!! Also, was this setup on a dummy, or as in a FF rescue scenario and having a "live downed FF"? If on a dummy, KEEP THOSE OLD BOTTLES!!!! Drill a large visible hole in it and paint it a noticeable color (so it doesn't resemble any in service bottles) and use that for future training sessions. The hole will prevent it from getting filled by an unknowing do-gooder, so it will not be able to be used for real! Over the past few years, we have lost our fair share of bottles needlessly during "victim extrication" drills

WOW!! A terrible loss for all! RIP officer!

I see, you are forgiven. For now. Please, do let me know when you are able to! Although I am sure you have several platefuls of other things you need to do before coming up this way. So that means hurry up and get better already, lol!

You know Seth, you promised you would call me to do Photo Hunts up here in Dutchess. You bailed on me last time, and didn't come back since your accident.

Yea, I like 911 Uniforms, they have always been helpful to me when I stop in there. Haven't been in M&M in a while.

I seemed to remember this being brought up before, and here ya go! http://emtbravo.net/index.php?showtopic=7245&hl=metro+north

I believe that in Dutchess, you have to go to DC911, and I am not sure of the requirements, but you can arrange with the 911 center to become a county recognized FASTeam. Therefore, if Dept. A has a fire and asks for a FASTeam, the 911 center can go and look through their list of teams that are "officially" FASTs, and dispatch the closest/most appropriate. Otherwise, the department would have to ask for a specific department that they want to come, which is the case when Dept. A has a beef with Dept. B (which is a close/the closest FASTeam) because someone broke someone else's GI Joes 25 years ago, and the 2 departments haven't gotten along ever since, which happens "occasionally" here in Dutchess (shock) In the latter case, Dept. B calls themselves a FAST, yet is not a "county accredited" team, they are merely a few people who have taken FAST courses (or the NYS FAST course), or could be a group of seasoned members who are fulfilling the requirement through experience.

Yea, I am so used to hearing "Engine 1, 2, 4" its gonna take a while to get used to hearing E3 instead!

Are suspensions in the firehouse used as they should be, or have some places gotten out of hand? While traditionally, a suspension, or unpaid time off in a paid department, was held for the worst of the worst offenders, are they being handed out too easily for stupid things? Do suspensions REALLY accomplish anything? Do any departments out there use any alternative forms of punishment. Something that actually accomplishes anything? All I see suspensions doing is removing manpower from a job already suffering decreasing numbers. So my question is, are suspensions really a good form of punishment, or would something that "rehabilitates" chronic offenders, and remedies any problems a better choice?

It doesn't matter my specific situation. It is merely a question of generalities. Certainly there are times and situations where a suspension may be in order, but in general, do people believe more in just suspending and saying "Yea, we fixed the problem" or is there an attitude out there where people actually care about fixing a problem and making it better for everyone?

We have the PRIORITY SYSTEM up here in Dutchess. I HATE the priority system, it always seems wrong. I can't blame the dispatchers, they just go on what info they receive. It still sucks though. There are no set policies to conform your response to it, it is a departmental decision. All response levels are recommendations, I assume to remove most if any liability off of the dispatch center (i.e. they recommend a Code 1 response yet the responding agency goes Code 3, and gets involved in an MVA, liability is now on the agency and not the dispatch). Priority 1 - Immediately life threatening - ALS and Code 3 (lights and sirens) Priority 2 - Less Life threatening, but serious - ALS and Code 3 Priority 3 - Moderate hazards BLS, usually not life threatening, still Code 3 Priority 4 - BLS - Lift assists, stubbed toes, Little Johnny fell and scraped his knee, etc...recommended Code 1 Dispatches usually would go like this: "Dutchess 911 to Arlington, 32-71, 32-89, respond Priority 1 for a 57 year old male with chest pain, difficulty breathing, with a cardiac history, 1234 XYZ Street, cross streets of Main St. and Maple Ave. Repeating to Arlington......" Other pertinent information may be included "...patient had a stent put in 2 days ago..." The dispatchers do a good job of keeping dispatches as short as they can (well, most do). Upon response of any unit, further information may be given: "...patient requests no lights or sirens upon approach..." "...police are enroute, recommend you stage away..." "...use the side entrance..." Sometimes, only the very basic info is given on dispatch, and the dispatcher waits for response of a unit to give update, just to keep the dispatch channel open, and utilize the response channel to not tie up dispatch channel. Thats how the game goes up here.

I was driving the ambulance to a multi-vehicle MVA about 2 months ago, and coming up to the scene traffic was at a standstill. As I operated the siren, my EMT partner used the PA to intermittently voice "All vehicles over to the right" repeatedly. We all know how people just sort of stop, or go wherever the hell they feel like going when they hear emergency vehicles coming up behind them. I could swear the driver's manual tells you to pull to the RIGHT and STOP, but hey, what do I know.

When I follow the link provided I am given a pic of Pound Ridge's 78B2.

Current? Former? NYPS ESU ERV 2 LAPD Armored Personnel Carrier with ram bar (gotta love the on the front of the ram!!)

Where are you going to school? Have you thought to look up that local/county PD on the web? Google can solve many questions!