BuffMedic236

It has nothing to do with who I work for, I volunteer in PC and have seem the mistakes that have been done. I am voicing my opinon as a citizen and volunteer in Putnam!!! What it does have to do with is aparent lack of management that you seem to have, time and time again we see your employees do things over and over again. And times that people have complained, nothing seem sto be done about it! Both you and I are in managment positions at our respective paid jobs, and you should agree that when a problem arrises it should be handeld accordingly. But what we see as volunteers in the county, is those mistakes happening again after it's supposed to have been handled. And to answer your question, I have never worked for ESA. By the way, that was a question, wether you could run the system now with out the current PC medics, I am sure that some medics will go and I wish them luck. As I said in my previous post, it seems you guys are trying to turn it around, but from my perspective, as a non-believer, you have a long way to go. I hope that in the long run ESA does prove all of us who are against you wrong. I might not agree with your companies views, however, I will be one to give it a try for the sake of the residents of Putnam County.

I sure hope they do the best. They don't have the greatest reputation. However, I know they trying to turn themselves around. But until you have a management that is willing to take charge and control, all these mistakes that some employees continue to do just reflect on the company. The problem I see is not in the equipment or vehicles, it's the field personnel and the apparent lack of management. Personally, I am against ESA in Putnam County, not only as a private citizen but as someone in the business. So, I ask all you ESA current employees a question. Could the company pull this off without getting all the current PC medics to comeover? I know many who won't even consider it.

It's not an ego thing. Over the last few years, ESA got a really bad rap. Yes everybody has problems but, its the same old management. Some of them from the old A-1/CMT-Inc. I also remember then getting the contract to provide BLS assist to MFVFD, and that went up in the air. The managment needs to change. I know a lot of medics how would never work for BT again!

Jeeze, lets see, Empire State Ambulance, that would be the same company that when based out of Mahopac, interfered with local EMS agency's, almost abandoned patients and blocked Miller Rd with their ambulances so that the FD could not get through to extricate on a car accident. Personally, I do not like their reputation. I hope that they have changed, because if this is the way they are going to be then we are better off with Alamo.

Congrulations to the Arena Family on your new home!!!

Well, not for nothing but I think that there is more than two departments on the east side of Putnam tha have trouble. I know that we are one of them, as well as the three other departments that surround us. We are all having issues getting out sometimes. It's about time that the county steps in and does something about this, hopefully this is just a temporary fix. I hope that more members of other departments would take the EMT or higher course and be more readily available during the day. As far as the ALS coverage is concerned, I have had these long talks with both Bobs, it should not be affected. The thing about this is that it is for now only a six month trial. After six months, the County will re-evaluate the need for paid EMT's.

I'm in...

Art, call the shrink...

Well, I have to say that I prefer head-blocks. I believe that they do a better job of immobilizing a patient than a head-bed. When you put on a block, most of the time it extends from the patients shoulders through their head, effectively immobilizing their C-spine. Head-beds on the other hand I feel dont have that same level of effectivness. They only have one piece of tape and there is nothing on the side of a patients head except for a piece of cardboard to prevent them from moving around. Towel rolls are a great alternative to blocks and are adequate in pateint care, bu their down fall is that they are single use.

If you are an EMT, why not consider TransCare, depends on your experience, you might start in transports, but if you are motivated and show us that you are good then we can bump you into 911, either in Westchester or NYC, look we even hired 648Eng119...I leave it at that.

The place to be is Spec's...Sorry Art, only cool people there! Hehehe

If he is dumb enough to cut it off, then he does not need it. Ouch!

If you leave a can of cat food around or some dry food, the cat will eventually get hungry and find a way down, or at least we hope it does. Well, I guess we always have ladders, and if you have your turnout gear on you minimize the amount of scratching the cat will do to you, I know...

All you need is a pen, everything else is in your rig...

Hey, we are right next door, count us in!!!

Bravo!!!

To Damien Fire: GOOSE FABAH, That's so funny comming from you!!! Considering last weeks events, I thought you don't play nice in the sandbox. LOL Not for nothing people it seems there are great diffrences in the perception that volunteers and paid EMS have towards each other. But in the end, it's all about the patient. If you are a volunterer, who cares what your response time is, the point is that you got there. If you are a paid person, do your job and stop complaining about everything except the $$$.

1. Yes 2. Yes 3. No 4. No 5. Yes

I would suggest going with the Strtyker Rugged. We have been using them for about to years now and they work great. The only downside is that you can't fit them into a small cramped space. Otherwise it's a great choice.

That morning, I had gone home from work and realized that I left something at the station, so I returned to find everyone glued to the TV watching the planes hit. Shortly after we were on the way to help. My partner Rob and I were scared as we were driving to manhattan seeing so many emergency vehicles respinding with us. We were not prepared to come into manhattan and see the city that we all love be a war zone. People were running away frm downtown. Some were injured and in a daze, others just shared. We did not expect to see the things we did the closer we got to the WTC. I was overwhelmed with emotion, sad, scared and angry that some one could do this to us, to the city that I have gotten to love. On a personal note, going to medic class in Brooklyn at Lutheran Medical Center, I would come back home via the BQE to the Brooklyn Bridge. When you cross the bridge you got the greatest view of the WTC and of lower Manhattan, and all I did that day was think about that. We did not know if we would survive that day I knew that my old partner and best friend Anthony was here too. I did not know where he was. I later found out that he drove by me on the FDR and the way downtown. Anthony survived the collapse getting stuck in his ambulance and then was taken to the Bronx for medical attention. After the North Tower fell, Rob and I were on our way back to do another run when we got flagged down. This was just minutes before the South Tower fell. We did not know that the news crew that was taping us was transmitting live. Luckly for me, members of my fire department and my family saw me down there and knew that I was alive. I now know what a relief that was for them, and thank you for your prayers. And then the other tower fell. I was right in the middle of it all. Watching and hearing the towers fall was the most awful thing that I have ever experienced, and then there was silence.... After that you did now know what to think, now your helpless, stunned. As a brand new paramedic at the time I felt overwhelmed at the amount of people we had to help. Not only were we treating civillians but cops, fireman, fellow EMT's and medics. I recall dropping off patients at NY Downtown Hospital and then loading up with everyone and taking them closer to the WTC to help. After staging for a while at the ferry terminal, I began to run into some of my class mates from Medic class, and some of my instructors as well. All of us were angry and scared and for those of us that were near the collaplse, happy to be alive and to see someone that we knew and to give them a hug. It was a very emontional day. As we worked into the night, we found out that one of our EMT's had died. Her name was Yamel Merino. And I had the honor to work with her on a few occasions. What a wonderful person, so joyful. We miss you. We got pulled out of the city shortly after that. I returned to the base with Rob at some point in the middle of the night. The ride back was complete silence. We returned to see our Bosses there and other employees waiting to help us if needed. After a few minutes of conversations I got in my car and drove home for the night crying on the way home, not knowing if this was a dream or reality. I walked in at home to find my mother waiting for me, she did not know if I would rerturn that night, I guess that mothers do know when there kids need a really big hug and kiss and that's exactlly what I got... ...To all of those that lost their lives that day... WE MISS YOU!!!

I belive that we can't refuse but we can try talking them out of going tp the ED, for example, tooth aches, most ED's don't have dentists on staff. As far as frequent flyers, calling MC and get the approval not to transport, if you are sure that an ED visit is not needed. And of course there is always are great friends in law enforcement who are also tired of the frequent flyers and lock them up for calling to much!

It's a great idea, I wish my job would lets wear shorts...

Art, seek help! Buffness can be cured.

Excellent!

Hey 648ENG119, autographs are 5 bucks!!!