meat441

Maybe that could be a confusing situation in the local and dispatch area's concerning terminology, which should be addressed by all agencies. In this day and age of terrorism who is to say that a food poisoning is just that? That would come under the jurisdiction of the PD. The only incident that (MAYBE) EMS would be in charge of would be an evacuation of a nursing home or long care facility in which patients would need immediate transportation to other facility destinations. Evacuations due to power loss during high heat or loss of heating during cold temps. No fire, no Hazmat just a loss of local power which will not be returned in the near future. I've been involved with a number of these incidents and the only resources required was EMS. ICS played a valuable resource for priority moving, types of vehicles utilized and destination transport times dictating amount of unit's requested. New Jersey now has the ability for the use of MULTIPLE MASS CARE BUSES for this purpose under direction of the EMS TASK FORCE. MCI incidents were brought up as to the proper use of terminology at these incidents and clarification as to proper terminology for EMS providers and distribution of staff personal was in question. Great to see a fellow EMS responder could describe the use of ICS and it's terminology at incidents small and large. Others should take note.

Shocking! is what comes to mind when reading some posts regarding (EMS COMMAND) and proper terminology. I can only think of MAYBE 1 time EMS (COULD) be in COMMAND. (MAYBE). But I will leave that for later. I would like to hear from people who would ever think EMS could be in command of an incident? TERMINOLOGY! EMS BRANCH DIRECTOR: Location, within the UNIFIED COMMAND POST. Assisting the EMS Branch Director, EMS Branch Assistant or a Scribe for documentation. Same as a someone assisting the FIRE CHIEF at the command post. EMS STAGING (MANAGER) - separate from STAGING OFFICER for the use of deployment of EMS (transporting unit's). Triage Group Supervisor Treatment Group Supervisor Transport Group Supervisor Triage Unit Leader #1,#2,#3 and so on if required under direction of the TRIAGE GROUP SUPERVISOR. Treatment GROUP Assistant #1,#2, or more if required. Multiple Treatment area's required. Under direction of Treatment Group Supervisor. Under Treatment Group Supervisor or Treatment Group Assistant would be Red Unit leader, Yellow Unit leader, Green Unit leader. In (communication) with the EMS BRANCH Director and Transport Group Supervisor would be the EMS Staging OFFICER. Loading Unit Leader, Departure Unit Leader and Landing Zone Unit Leader will be under the direction of the Transport Group Supervisor. EMS has to understand the importance and role EMS play's during the LARGE SCALE OPERATIONS. How many ACTUALLY practice this? How many MEDICS are available in your area to fill all these COMMAND positions? I have been the EMS Branch Director for hundreds of MCI's even though PARAMEDICS and SUPERVISORS were on scene. Supervisor's and Medics didn't like an (EMT) in charge of EMS operations (BUT), respected the knowledge that myself and OTHER EMT's in our system provided. Are medics required or needed to be utilized in command positions? Maybe in your area, because 1st Responders or EMT's continue not to indulge in learning or practicing what they preach. How many 1st Responders and EMT's or even Medics practice on a regular basis MCI operations? Other agencies look down to EMS because of their POOR Knowledge of ICS and what I've seen over and over again, Chickens running around without heads or thumping their chests at large incidents with no DIRECTION of EMS resources. DON'T get upset by what I'm saying, truth sometimes hurt, but think of incidents you have watched and said, I WISH THEY COULD HAVE DONE IT BETTER. MEDICS are needed where they excel and that is where the PATIENTS are. Saving Lives. Primary EMS organizations need to utilize ICS functions properly so Medics can treat. UGH! My hot air. I hate when EMS agencies continue to be laughed at. Don't you think it's time to be respected?

WOW! I see that a REFRESHER class in ICS TERMINOLOGY is needed for some?

What good old day's of hearing Expedite the bus, one of the best was Put a push on the bus, I need a quick ETA, Don't they understand I need them now, This is a (BAD) patient. My partner and I would don our Superman outfit's, thump our chests 3 times with our fists, yell for Scotty to beam us up, hit warp 10, arrive on scene and stand with our hands on our hips and say! Did anyone call for the (PRO"S FROM DOVER)? MASH day's for those who don't remember? (THEN) to hear, we thought the patient wasn't breathing? Sir what happened? I WAS SLEEPING. LOLL. PLEASE STOP.

Mark, can you provide a picture of the roof with the tower nested? One of 2 things I've noticed are the backboards and storage of the stokes. If you keep the stokes where they are take the backboards and slide them into the stokes. You should be able to keep 2 or 3 backboards within the stokes. You will free up a lot of room. A possibility would also be to have a small compartment built the width behind the cab and located on the box roof. Pictures will tell. May also make your clearance in the building. Rescue 1 can take measurement's, build the Compartment at minimal time and call for the unit for installation. Down time minimal. I also notice that the unit carries extra SCBA bottles? Why not use 1 of those bottles and mount a TOOL REGULATOR with air hose for your AIR TOOLS? Keep the rescue tools on the rescue unit. DO NOT split between vehicles. My concern is your CO response. 2 or 3 firefighter's may fit in your cab, but what about 2 in 2 out for safety when utilizing your PAK's?

Maybe a correction on the Ferno Basket. The new one's maybe designed for rope rescue. Please re-check the info. They're weight rating however is I believe 500lbs. Junkin is 1200lbs rating.

Why do you have to carry any fan on the unit? Your a light rescue, not a heavy or fire support truck. I love the Amkus Hydraulic set-up and wouldn't change a thing. I can guarantee your tools mounts are in great shape. Just check for any cracks in the welds and have then re-welded if needed. I also noted 2 SCBA's in the right rear compartment and 1 in a bag on the driver rear????? Do you carry any Air Tools? I would also re-look at those FERNO what you might call STOKES Baskets. They really aren't STOKES Baskets for rope rescue. They are called Carrying Baskets. Not designed for rope work. Look at the information that comes with the baskets. Has to do with the frame of the basket. Not WELDED. Re-place with JUNKIN STOKES BASKETS. Junkin Stokes can also handle the weight of those OBESE PATIENTS. Check the ratings.

How many SCBA's are carried on the truck? Do you need to carry a PPF on the unit? Driver side above the Transverse, what is stored there? What low angle or high angle rope equipment do you carry? Water rescue equipment?

I like the truck for it's receiver hitches around 3 sides. Is the winch used as your primary stabilization point for vehicles? Point being, that's good. But were you aware that you can purchase at a cheap cost EYE HOOKS that slide into your receiver's? These EYE HOOKS can be used for multiple purposes. First is 1 person set-up. Second they take up very little space. Third pull the receiver pin, place in the EYE HOOK and re-pin. Takes about 10 seconds. Then purchase 25'-2" TOW STRAPS. Purchase Ratchet Straps also 2" with straps with HOOKS on both ends. Tow strap is connected multiple way's quickly at the receiver EYE HOOK. Ratchet strap attaches to the strap. Then finish off with another Tow Strap at the vehicle to be stabilized. Smaller straps can also be used to drape over vehicle tires that are on the high side of the vehicle on it's side and connect to Ratchet Strap. These straps can be utilized to tie off to other apparatus, trees, guardrails. poles, buildings and what ever else you can think of to stabilize unstable vehicles. Especially if you can't get the rescue close enough for stabilization work. All these items are available at your local AUTO PARTS STORE. Ask to see their catalogs. The tensile strength of these straps are amazing better then CHAINS. Different set-up options are printed on the Tow Straps and the set-ups vary your working load limit's. Just roll up the straps and store. THEY DON'T RUST. THEY ARE LIGHT. THEY CAN BE CLEANED. TAKE UP LITTLE STORAGE SPACE. YOU CAN VISUALLY INSPECT THEM FOR DAMAGE. EASILY REPLACED. MULTIPLE USES. NO NOISE LIKE CHAINS MAKE. COME IN MULTIPLE WIDTH'S and SIZES. Lets say you have 1 vehicle on top of the other. Use the Tow Straps and Ratchet Straps to bind the 2 vehicles together. Great for vehicles down embankments, preventing them from sliding further. And of course, make up multiple sets in milk crates. Keep it on the Transverse tray. What I like the best are milk crates are cheap. USUALLY FREE if you know where to look. 1 rescue tech. can carry numerous crates at a time. Time how long it takes to set-up your winch. That is, REALITY TIME. Start to finish.

My wife is happy now. LOLL Getting back to cribbing. 6x6s give you a better base to work with and fill between the auto and ground quickly. Then you can decide if 2x2s, 4x4s or wedges can fill the gaps. By the looks of things, you can place about 8 crates of cribbing on half of that tray. No walking around the truck to grab what you need. Pull the tray to what ever side and there you go. YOU CAN NEVER HAVE ENOUGH CRIBBING. Try putting your Paratec struts together. Place 1 on each side of the rescue transverse tray, driver side and passenger side next to cribbing. If they are too long using your extensions, remove the smallest extension and keep the V cap at the top of the strut. Your V cap will be used the most for vehicles on there sides or change to a piercing cap. It's easier to add a small extension to the strut if needed. Half the battle with the struts is over. Pre-connected. Also be sure your RATCHET STRAPS for the struts are set to go. Clip to strut and clip to vehicle, open ratchet and then just pull the strap to make it tight. ALL PRE-SET. 2 straps, 2 extra cones and 1 extension can be placed in 2 more milk crates. 1 on each side of the rescue. Much easier. More later on stabilization. I have to eat. LOLL

Sorry if I am blunt about things but I love rescue. It was my EMS career for 30 years. 25 on EMS/Rescue. Don't get upset. PLEASE, do away with all that, what I call SCRAP WOOD. There is nothing standardized about it. 2x4s, 4x4s and 6x6s cut to a standard of 18". Also, cut 18" Wedges out of 4x4s to fill the gaps. DO NOT varnish or paint. That will create a slippery surface. It will also cover-up any cracks beginning in the wood. Cmon everyone? How much does it cost for wood cribbing? Someone getting hurt because no one could see the splitting occur? Place your cribbing in Milk Crates. You can also use to save money, SEAT BELTS cut for handles at the end of the cribbing. I saw in one of your pictures a cut that was used for drilling. Cut the Seat Belts out. Guess how much it costs to make cribbing handles? NOTHING. And they are very strong. Use washers to secure them to the ends. Oh dam! the wife is yelling. Have to go. Be back later. LOLL

Maybe I should explain myself better. Especially while owning a light rescue unit, knowing the PAYLOAD CAPACITY will allow you to figure out how much equipment can be carried on this vehicle. Weight is a major factor as apparently your motor is finding out. Weigh your current equipment. Then figure how much equipment and changes would be allowed. Pretty lights and paint jobs don't make the rescue. But efficient equipment, training and personnel is what makes a great rescue unit. Also, can you give a detailed list of equipment currently on the rescue. I do have CONCERNS with certain items. But will explain with a list provided by you. Keep safe and smart.

If your keeping the current chassis what is the PAY LOAD Capacity?

Maybe the first thing that should be investigated is? What will be the PAYLOAD CAPACITY of the new Chassis, including the current remounted compartment box?

I don't understand why rural departments to this day don't purchase Turbo Drafts?