JJB531

So far in this thread, I have read.... #1 - I hate police #2 - Firefighters are within their rights to resist (basically promoting physical resistance against police officers) #3 - The cop was issuing orders without lawful authority. (Not true, LEO has full lawful authority to request that the truck be moved) #4 - If a cop had tried that back home in Scotland, he would have wound up in the back seat of their own car wrapped up in 50' of fire hose Sure sounds like cop bashing to me.... Someone also stated that Firefighters were in command of the scene.... they were? They showed up after everyone else was already there. It was pretty clear from the video there was no pin, no fire... so why are they in command? Someone else also stated that "if PD has a problem with us, don't call us". A lot of times PD DOESN'T request fire... fire is automatically dispatched or there have been occasions where they have self-dispatched themselves. PD's handle minor accidents on the parkways every single day. I'm not saying that scene safety isn't important, and obviously the safety of people at the scene is paramount. Not only does more apparatus sometimes distract drivers and create additional confusion, but the more unnecessary personnel you have wandering around a scene, the greater the chance someone can get hit by a passing vehicle.

I think it's time to delete this thread.... it's nothing but a Police bashing thread where individiuals are taking their turns pounding their chests talking about the same stuff that's been discussed on this site a thousand times... this thread is not the least bit constructive at all.

Anti-Crime is typically assigned to unmarked RMP's. Depends on the command and whether there is overlapping crime teams where there are not enough unmarked cars to go around... No commands have spare cars "just in case", in terms of calling in extra manpower. Commands are typically short vehicles, and it's not uncommon for a sector to wait an hour or two before a car becomes available at the beginning of tour for them to go out on patrol in.

All depends on the precinct... some precincts have more RMP's assigned to them than others... some of the RMP's may have been out of service for various reasons, other RMP's are assigned to details within the precinct and only used by those details (i.e. Domestic Violence, Conditions, Impact, etc. will each have their own RMP for exclusive use), so if those details aren't working the cars are parked. A precinct may turn out 5 or 6 sectors and a sergeant, so that's 6 or 7 cars out of 30 the command may have. Then all the specialized units (Domestic Violence, Summons/Radar Cars, Conditions Units, Anti-Crime, Street Narcotics Enforcement, Burglary Team, Auto Larceny Team, Impact Autos and any other details the precinct may have) that are out on the road.

Being out in the cold is just one of many problems associated with career EMS in this area. I can only speak for Westchester County because it's the only county I have ever worked. I've worked in systems where we were employed by the VAC and had our own building which was great because you had all the amenities of home. Then I've worked in systems where you're stuck in a truck or bus for 8 hours (if you're not pulling a double or triple). Nothing like checking your gear while working a fly car in -10 degree weather or a torrential downpour. Many have said it, and it's very well known, that EMS in this area receives no more notoriety or respect than it did 13 years ago when I first started, and I'm sure that individuals on this board who have been in the field longer than I have will probably agree. I'm just as disgruntled as the next person who actually cares about the field, because I personally feel that not enough is done for EMS providers in this area. What does our EMS advisory board do for us? What does our EMS region do for us? What does our Department of Emergency Services do for us? I know that we have our little barbecue at Rye Playland each year, which is a nice gesture, but think about it. You are up there receiving an award for saving someone's life while an attendee is slobbing down chicken wings and keg beer. What do we do for ourselves? Most agencies are so busy worrying about themselves and the little town or big city that they provide a service to, and the egos associated with so many agencies in this area just get in the way. A lot of our problems can be attributed to poor management also, in both the paid and volunteer services. Volunteer agencies where line officers often change hands every year, and individuals have no experience at all when it comes to EMS management. I've worked in agencies where as a paramedic I've had to answer to people who weren't even EMT's. And paid agencies will typically resort to their strongest providers to act in a supervisory role, but with the high turnover rate in the EMS field, it's difficult to find providers who have the street experience and the management skills to run these systems. So what's the solution? I loved being a paramedic, but left it as a full time career to go to the police department because I got sick of all the garbage that surrounds the EMS field. I think that a lot of people feel that they don't have the power to make a change, and that's where I think EMS providers are wrong. Maybe one person can't make a change, but if we all learned to stick together and fight for the EMS community as a whole, maybe we'll start getting the respect we deserve. Maybe a professional organization comprised of EMS providers in the area is what's needed. An organization that will speak on behalf of EMS providers without worrying about all of the political garbage that's out there. An organization that can promote local EMS, and educate the community on the importance of EMT's and Paramedics and the work they do every day. I think until there is some sense of unity amongst providers, you'll see the same complaints from EMS providers 10 years down the road.

What about those who take "peanutbutterball" for their seizures?

lol... I'd be rolling in circles around the same block for 8 hours....

I'd be taking comp time and giving her that ride home she was waiting for...

I don't think it's that hard to figure out what they're thinking.... I can pretty much guarantee almost every guy checking out that video is probably thinking the same thing...

I believe the logo is ESU 75th anniversary logo....

This question goes out to career and volunteer EMS providers and is simply one out of curiousity. Besides the basic education that is currently available for EMS providers, which includes the EMT-B, I, and P programs, along with ACLS and PALS for advanced providers, do you think that EMS providers could benefit from any other type of additional training, or do you feel that there is an overall lack of available training for EMS providers? I ask this question for a few reasons. The first is because as I research other larger EMS agencies across the country, I see that EMS providers are much better trained and prepared than a lot of local providers. Additional training includes specialized training in Hazardous Materials, Tactical Medicine, Basic Rope/Confined Space Rescue (more for accessing patients in difficult situations and not necessarily acting as a full technical rescue team), Water/Dive Rescue as either a medical support function or as a fully integrated member of a water/dive rescue unit. The second reason I ask this question is because when I look at the training bulletins on the DES training page (Westchester County), I always see a number of courses offered for firefighters. Whether it's FF1, Rescue Technician, AVET, HazMat Tech, etc. etc. But when you look at the training for EMS, the topics are basically simple CME's on how to write PCR's or how to make proper notifications for cases of suspected child abuse. As I EMS provider, I have contacted DES numerous times to register for courses, specifically Hazmat Tech and Rescue Technician. I was told that these courses were only for firefighters, and I had to either be affiliated with an FD or, similiar to what happened with the HazMat Tech course, I was bumped off the list because FF's get preference to the spots. Any training I've wanted or received I've had to go to a private training organization (Dive Rescue Int'l, Lifesaving Resources, START Rescue) and pay out of pocket to receive training and knowledge that I personally feel would be beneficial for an EMS provider to possess. Just curious on what people's views are and what, if any, training you would like to see made available to EMS providers in addition to what's already being offered.

I'm definetly agree that a majority of EMS providers are in fact lazy and have absolutely no desire whatsoever to take part in any kind of training. While there are also police officers and firefighters who are lazy themselves, and have no desire to do any kind of training, the training is still readily available to them. I enjoy training and try to take as many classes as I can when they are available, but that's just the problem. For those of us (EMS providers) who do appreciate good training, it's not only very hard to come by, but very expensive when we are constantly shelling money out of our own pockets for it.

Thanks for correcting my grammar and the definition of nit pick... I guess I haven't gotten to that snapple bottle cap yet that's full of useless information.

No, but I figured I'd give the benefit of the doubt....

Same thing here Oneeyed, not once was I ever asked if I wanted to sit in on a class or participate in any way. We were always the red headed step children that were banished to the basement of the Firehouse. Maybe things have changed, but I didn't feel that we were as welcome as it's been made to sound.

I neglected to mention that I agree with that statement 100%...

Sounds very easy, but now you are basically putting an EMS provider on the spot to operate in an environment they may not be familiar with, with equipment they're not familiar with, even if the only skill they need is walking. Being exposed to this environment through training, in my opinion, will only benefit a provider if they do ever have to operate in such a scenario. Providers should have some level of comfort in a particular environment through training and exposure to that environment before they are expected to perform in a real life situation. Speaking from a TEMS perspective, if there were a school shooting and I was an untrained provider, I wouldn't be comfortable if a SWAT officer said, hey this victim-rescue stuff is easy, just throw on this vest and helmet. The only skill you need is running.

What is rapid removal is not possible? What if you have access to an arm to initiate IV fluids? What if you want a paramedic to make a determination if this a rescue or a recovery? It's almost impossible to do any real patient care, but not totally impossible, especially depending on the size of the confined space. I can see we are still knit-picking here and not taking what I'm saying for face value, so I will once again use yet another example for you to try to rip apart... Car goes over a guardrail down an steep embankment. Person is pinned in the vehicle, and part of the extrication process involves the use of ropes, rappelling down to the victim's vehicle, and a mechanical advantage system to raise the victim up the slope. The way things are now, your ALS unit will have to stand up there by the guardrail and wait for the patient to come to them. How about properly training EMS providers so they can safely and appropriately access the patient along with FD so they can begin patient care while FD performs the extrication?

I am fully aware that such incidents require the appropriate amount of properly trained manpower and equipment... Maybe I didn't clearly explain myself as I was merely trying to use them as examples. I didn't know we were knit-picking here, so please let me know if you need any futher clarification. Perhaps this example will provide you with a better understanding of what I was attempting to relate... Let's take the City of Yonkers as an example. I know that the Yonkers Fire Department's Rescue company is properly trained, equipped, and more than capable when it comes to a CSR. But are any Empress Paramedics currently trained to work alongside the Fire Departments Rescue Company, so in the event of a CSR, they can put an appropriately trained and equipped paramedic in there to evaluate the patient and begin treatment? As I stated in my previous post that the only function of the EMS provider would be patient access and care, not one of executing a technical rescue. Executing a technical rescue (i.e. setting up rope systems or air monitoring/sampling), is the responsibility of those who are trained to do so (which is for the most part FD's in this area).

This is one of my points ALS, and well said. If I respond to a confined space job, I want to have the training and the knowledge on how to enter that confined space, conduct a patient assessment, and begin whatever treatment I feasibly can. If I respond to some form of a rope rescue, whether it's a rollover down a steep embankment or an individual having an MI up in a water tower, I want to be able to access that patient and begin providing treatment. I don't think it's fair to the patient to have to wait until the technical rescue is completed before the patient is afforded advanced life support medical care. It's like Chris192 stated, and he hit the nail on the head, with any form of technical rescue, there is always a patient involved. A patient whom we as medical providers are responsible for. As far as I'm concerned, I'm not there to steal an FD's glory and take over a rescue. I want to make sure I'm appropriately trained and equipped to safely access a patient and begin to provide medical care while FD or whoever conducts the rescue. I'm very suprised myself.... like Chris192 said.... complacency.

I'm kinda suprised you're defending this guy. First off, keys in the ignition, especially with the vehicle running, while a person behind the wheel, shows intent as other posters have stated. Intent is all that's needed to charge someone with DWI. Yes 4am bars close, and yes it would be responsible to sleep in your car, but he wasn't found in the bar parking lot. So responsibility went right out the window when he drove to the Hess station to take a nap. 4am options are tough to get a ride home? Hello.... call a cab. Get the bartender to call a cab. Call someone else to come pick you up. Just because it's 4am doesn't justify an individual driving home intoxicated simply because ptions are tough to get a ride home. It's a good thing this guy got locked up before he killed an innocent person. Obviously he hasn't learned from a previous DWI collar.

BNechis... I understand your responses to my post and appreciate your input, but my problem is that many courses available for EMS are just that... awareness level courses. I'm not attempting to downplay the importance of awareness level courses, because I feel many should be nearly mandated for EMS providers (Hazmat, WMD, etc.). But there's only so many times I can sit in a classroom and listen to someone talk about nerve agents or how to use the Emergency Response Guidebook. I think an old native american proverb says it best... "Tell me and I'll forget, show me and I may not remember, involve me and I'll understand". I was addressing more the lack of "useful" hands on training that I believe a lot of emergency responders outside of the Fire Service may be interested in taking part in.

52 is the oldest precinct in the Bronx right now.... probably one of the oldest in the entire city...

It's definetly the exception. If the guy was from Mexico, I'm sure they would probably care less. I stop illegals all the time driving, and most of them are upfront that they are illegal. Unfortunately though, it's always an unlicensed operator summons and send 'em on their way.

I stopped an individual one night who had an active immigration warrant. I called the phone number provided, positively ID'ed the guy and confirmed that it was an active detainer warrant, locked the guy up, and ICE was at the precinct within 2 hours picking him up to ship him back to Gambia. From what I was told alot of times it depends on their country of origin. Gambia has a lot of ties to terrorist groups, so the agents from ICE were more than happy to come pick this guy up.