67R93

A bit of good news today, although they upheld most of the law, the 7 round limit was overturned today in federal district court. A small victory but hopefully more on appeal.

Sore subject with me brother, can I please vent a little to all of you??
We had our "popularity contest" (elections) last Monday night. I have been serving for the past three years; 2 as Captain and one as assist chief which I held proudly. This past year, our two captains finaly finished their FF1 training, one even took the FF2 as well (thats right folks we had 2 captains serving without basic training. They based their qualifications on being able to work all equipment and knowing the department...) This year for nominations one of the two Captains and another member were nominated over me for 1st assistant, I was nominated for nothing. The other current Captain was nom for 2nd asst. Both current Captains have no officers training and very little if any experience as interior firefighters. I was beat out by someone fresh out of FF1 with no experience all because I was making a push to change things, focus more on safety and upgrading equipment and the department obviously didnt like that so they voted me out.
That bothers me, and the more I make a stink about it the more they get in my face and tell me its done so live with it. Another more experienced member 35 years in the service made inquiries into their training records and they have next to nothing besides FF1 and 2 yet our SOP's require FF1 with 5 years in the department, EVOC, Haz-Mat Ops, FBAA/Principles, and at least 2-3 officers courses like NIMS 700, ICS 100, 200 etc etc. They have none of these.
Who can I contact that would get the best results to fix this issue? FASNY? OFPC (or do they even handle stuff like this) local government? State government?
It realy sucks too since we just moved into our first house, in this district so I cant move to another area with a better department...
Sorry for the rant, just realy bothers me to no end...this backwoods redneck volunteer we-dont-have-to-follow-the-rules BS thats going to kill someone if not changed....help.

Apologies in a advance if this starts a battle......Not that being armed would have made a difference because we certainly wouldn't enter a scene with weapons drawn, but, I think we are in a time where EMS, and even fire personnel should be allowed to conceal carry if they wish to do so. Of course all appropriate legal measures would have to be taken and a safety class should be taken before an employer would allow such a circumstance. But I know, EMS is EMS, PD is PD etc etc. But, people are crazy, and PD don't always respond to EMS calls.

Apologies in a advance if this starts a battle......Not that being armed would have made a difference because we certainly wouldn't enter a scene with weapons drawn, but, I think we are in a time where EMS, and even fire personnel should be allowed to conceal carry if they wish to do so. Of course all appropriate legal measures would have to be taken and a safety class should be taken before an employer would allow such a circumstance. But I know, EMS is EMS, PD is PD etc etc. But, people are crazy, and PD don't always respond to EMS calls.

I live in Beaufort County, town of Port Royal. Some things are cheaper others aren't. Apartments here start from $500 and maxed out luxury apartments can be closer to $1000. That aside; Beaufort County lacks a full roster of EMS professionals working for them so the employees they do have it's not uncommon for up to two (2) overtime shifts per week. Some stations don't even do a call a day- easy money. That adds up to paychecks for most EMT's per period around 1200 Post Tax. EMT's and Paramedics aren't a dime a dozen (for lack of a better term) as I feel they are in New York. That's why most agencies in South Carolina have a hard time operating at full staffing levels.

Maybe everyone just needs to stop bashing all companies. We all do the same job no matter who we work for. EMStar is a company from pennsylvania who took over care 1 who took over hudson valley paramedics who took over empire state ambulance. All it is a name change for them. Transcare is the 3rd largest comapny out there. AMR being number 1 but again who cares. We still do the same job and that is take care of our communities. And I think that everyone forgets that.

I hope the Empire State Ambulance/Hudson Valley Paramedics/Care 1 EMS reputation changes with the 4th DBA...4th times a charm I guess.

I work at a transport in the city because of where I live, and its very flexible scheduling.
Transports are what they are, but the people I work with are great.

Why not just go to Empress? You will be MUCH happier.

www.care-1-ems.com
not sure how accurate it is, doesn't look like a finished product...

Considering O2, glucose, charcoal and aspirin, metered dose inhalers, nitro, epi are all considered medication in the BLS protocols, unless you are a CFR/EMT I would ditch any of those from a BLS jump bag if it is not used by members certified to use them (not that BLS is carrying nitro, epi or mdi's.) Additionally, unless you are qualified to splint a limb or immobilize a patient using BLS equipment (backboard, collar, straps, splints, traction splint etc) I would refrain from attempting to splint any injury seeing as you can do more harm than good if it is done wrong.
I.E. unless you run as a state licensed BLS/CFR service, ditch anything that is considered a medicine or that you need special training to apply.
I wouldn't want some random firefighter who just happened to grab the jump kit trying to treat a patient, do it right or don't do it at all.
Let me finish this little statement with the belief that CPR/AED & CFR should be part of all intro firefighting courses. (and if we are adding time to FFI we might as well add FFII, Survival, AVET, FAST)
Just becasue you are a firefighter does not mean you will not be called on to treat patients. When was your last fire verse your last time seeing a patient on-scene?

I would like to take a minute to thank all of the brave men and women who have served before us to protect and serve this great nation. A special thanks to my Grandfather, Marine Thomas Rizzo; Chosin Few, Korea, may you continue to RIP. Also a thanks to the men and women who are currently serving, Marine Steven Schmoke , and to my younger brother Adam Ollivett who will be leaving for Paris Island on December 12. Thank you, and may God Bless you all. *Semper Fi*

Today, at the 11th hour, on the 11th day, of the 11th month of 2011, we will pause to honor America’s Veterans and celebrate their contributions to our way of life. Few have given more to our Nation than the men and women who have served in our Armed Forces in peace and in war.
Joel McCrae's "In Flanders Fields" from WW1
In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.
We are the dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.
Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.
To those who served, or actively serve today, thank you for your dedication and service.

I would like to take a minute to thank all of the brave men and women who have served before us to protect and serve this great nation. A special thanks to my Grandfather, Marine Thomas Rizzo; Chosin Few, Korea, may you continue to RIP. Also a thanks to the men and women who are currently serving, Marine Steven Schmoke , and to my younger brother Adam Ollivett who will be leaving for Paris Island on December 12. Thank you, and may God Bless you all. *Semper Fi*

I would like to take a minute to thank all of the brave men and women who have served before us to protect and serve this great nation. A special thanks to my Grandfather, Marine Thomas Rizzo; Chosin Few, Korea, may you continue to RIP. Also a thanks to the men and women who are currently serving, Marine Steven Schmoke , and to my younger brother Adam Ollivett who will be leaving for Paris Island on December 12. Thank you, and may God Bless you all. *Semper Fi*

Despite my opinions on their operations that occur in my area...they didn't "kill an EMT"...the guy driving who fell asleep caused an accident which resulted in the unfortunate loss of a brother who was unrestrained in the back. That's about the only thing I can say about them at the present time...other then its been nice not having to act as their paramedic in quite some time.

They did a name change it seems... to "Mobile Life"!
At leats that what it sounds like on the radio! LOL