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?

Looks interesting for initial attack engine for dumpsters, remote water supply, snow response and park on shoulder brush response but Initial Structure attack? Off road all terrain brush attack? Does it have CAFS? Especially carrying 300 gal. H2o? Under vehicle skid plate protection for off road? Does it have Pump and Roll for off road? Will they keep the old truck for off road response? Manual drive is great. Sorry, but just don't get it?

Check out, EMS Task Force State of New Jersey on Facebook. Overall helicopter shot of most of EMS Task Force vehicles.

Every agency operates differently but the outcome is (usually) the same. Getting the job done SAFELY and PROFICIENTLY. How many firefighters does it take to size-up a working fire? How many Police Officer's does it take to size-up an arrest? And how many rescue tech's does it take to size-up an entrapment? Every agency varies depending upon your SOP's and available Trained Personnel. What works for 1 department can be different for another. Before I retired from EMS our rescue rode with the driver and a rescue tech. Only 2 on Rescue. Sometimes a recruit doing their rescue training time before being the 2nd. Rescue training usually consisted of 3 months of schooling and practical (hands On). Then 6 months as a third. Then the testing to see if you were eligible for Rescue Tech status. All were trained to usually the same or better level. Could be 1 or 2 EMT's or 2 Paramedic rescue tech certified or even the supervisor may need to fill a vacant spot on rescue. We were all trained to the same standards for the most part, some more. Quite often arriving on scene prior to PD, BLS or ALS. So size-up was decided by the 2 techs. We had pre-connected tools from reels since 1991 on our rescue's. Rear compartment pre-connected tools which didn't work to well because most of your rescue operations are from the front or sides of the rescue. Prior to 1991 we also pre-connected our tools from portable motors. 1 Portable Duo with hose rapped around it and 1 spreader and 1 cutter pre-connected. Both techs would grab the motor and then grab 1 tool each. Carrying them to the incident. The current (rescue's) have the tools split almost evenly on both sides of the vehicle. 1 spreader, 1 cutter and 1 combi tool, 3 reels. So both the driver and the 2nd rescue tech has his own hydraulic system set-up and ready for deployment. Very common to see 2 techs with 2 spreader's and 2 cutter's working a cut job by themselves from each side of the auto. That's this agencies system. And it works very well. No one to trip over someone else. Try connecting tools at 1 0'clock in the morning. By the way, part of their training was to close their eye's and connect tools. TRY IT? Not easy. Even with single hose hydraulics. So pre-connecting tools are a great an efficient way for any tool for any rescue operation. Don't we all try to strive for a safer, faster and more efficient way to provide rescue? P.S. our rescue in what I call the (Hay Day's) would average around 400 entrapments a year. Not counting Fire Rescue or PD ESU.

Not a big fan of multiple reels connected to power unit's. Duo's, Trimo's and multiple tool PTO pumps all sound like a great concept, but remember when that PTO generator malfunctions so does your electric hydraulic power unit's? When a malfunction of your (multiple tool) electric or gas power unit's fail so do your tools? What about hydraulic fittings and hoses that also fail leading to your reels? Hydraulic reel motors and reel seals that can leak? Now for the down side. Systems that fail on scene putting your multiple tool operation out of service. 100' maximum usage away from the vehicle. 3. Being blocked out of the scene by multiple crash vehicles spaced apart from each other. Being blocked out by civilian, PD, ambulances or other FD apparatus arriving prior to the rescue unit. Multiple vehicle's requiring extrication that are far apart. Apparatus out of service for day's awaiting repair for those hydraulic issue's. Hourly repair charges $ for a technician to crawling and squeezing into those tight spaces to make repairs. We all cram 10 pound of s--- into a 5 pound bag. Just some of the issue's. Now the plus side. 1 tool with 25' of hose pre-connected to a single or Duo portable unit. Can be carried to any location by one rescue tech. Can be moved from one vehicle to another that are separated by large distance's. Multiple tools required for industrial rescue's. Parking deck operations. Motor fails or hose ruptures that can be replaced or swapped on scene. Multiple power unit's, single or Duo can be stored with pre-connected tools on multiple sides of the rescue unit's. Hydraulic motor needs repair, rescue is still in service. Hourly repair cost's are reduced. For the cost of building such a large bumper, reel fitting, tool mounting and additional hoses running thru the vehicle to the pumps and special pump mountings. You can purchase more tools and power unit's thus providing more bang for the buck. Just some of the plus sides. The truck gets you there. The tools get the job done.

If i may! How many (SCUBA RESCUE'S) have occurred in the last, lets say five (5) years vs. RESCUE'S utilizing a boat, throwing device, or personnel with exposure suits or dry suits who have quick access to victims in need? Also, what about dispatch procedures? Multiple resources dispatched on initial alarm? In Morris County i know the COM Center dispatches multiple agencies on the reported structure, FAST TEAM included. Sounds like to me that more SPECIALIZED UNIT'S aren't required, but the MULTIPLE AGENCY dispatch needs to be looked at. Forget about waiting for the arrival of an officer on scene to determine who in addition to the HOME TOWN agency should respond. TIME LOST. You can alway's CANCEL then having to WAIT.

How many hours of training for structural firefighting? How many hours for HazMat? How many hours for Technical Rescue. The list goes on. But how much training is taken for Wildland Firefighting by local structural departments? New York State has the the same complications of Wildland Fires as Northern New Jersey. (THE TERRAIN) Mountainous terrain, heavy wooded area's, Leaf Litter, rocks and boulder's, differant vegetation type's, Farm field's and field grasses to mention a few. Most fires are small and near reach of booster lines from apparatus and quickly extinguished. But what the Wildland Fires deep in the the woods and on top of ridges? Case in point. I led a hand crew of 3 Wildland Firefighter's and 2 structural Firefighter's into a mountaineous area in North Jersey 2 years ago to begin cutting a control line. The local fire chief wanted 2 of his firefighter's to assist us because he felt our shortage of manpower prevented us from controlling the fire? All member's were briefed prior to heading out. 15 minutes into cutting the line the 2 local firefighter's were missing. Our operation halted and the IC notified. We back tracked the line and found the firefighter's sitting on a rock ledge in the BLACK. 1 was having an Asthma Attack and the other sprained his leg. After treating and removing them we continued to finish the control line in 2 hours. The local chief insisted on his men assisting us which now has led to our Section Warden communicating with chief's about the danger's of structual turnout gear being used for Wildland Fires and most of all the training. Structual is very different from Wildland.

My flag will fly as high as i can get it on Saturday. For a true AMERICAN HERO Marine Cpl. Osbrany Montes De Oca from North Arlington KIA Afaganistan, and others who gave the ultimate for us, friday it will ba at Half Mast. FLY YOUR FLAGS HIGH ON SATURDAY. Fat Boy is wrong.

This also part of the New Jersey EMS Task Force.http://www.humcfoundation.com/site/PageServer?pagename=mrrp

New Jersey created the state wide EMS Task Force after 9/11. Currently the group consists of EMT's/Paramedic's from across the state. NJ EMS Task Force has in it's vehicle roster, Medium duty Mass Care unit's, Large Mass Care unit's, Staging Trailers, Mini ambulances, Patient care and transport buses, Mobile Hospitals and other equipment that's been placed through out the state. The medium duty Mass Care unit's provide care for up to 50 patients. The Large Mass Care Unit's handle 100 patients. The new Mass Care Buses have been arriving. They can treat and transport multiple patients. They can be used especially for evacuations of nursing homes that may loose power. I believe the buses can transport around 15 streatcher patients, number maybe higher. In 1985 i co-designed the only Mass Casualty Vehicle with a capability of handling 56 patients on oxygen simultaneously through a manifold system. 6 H size oxygen bottles vehicle mounted, were connected into a MANIFOLD system that distributed to exterior ports of a Large Step Van, then set for distribution through 8 Multilators. The vehicle was utilized for 1993 World Trade Center Bombing where it was positioned in front of Tower #2. It was placed between a NYCEMS MERV and New York Transit Bus to provide continueous oxygen through out the entire incident. The Multilators ran off the MCRU and into these vehicles. At no time did the system deplete it's oxygen supply. Additional H bottles were continuosly brought to the MCRU from New Jersey for replenishment. At that time NYCEMS had their hands full and was easier for us to do the replenishment. Almost 20 H bottles were utilized. The system could be broken down and made portable within a few minutes for multiple treatment areas or other uses. 9/11 it was utilized as a treatment center in the Hoboken Bus Terminal. The system is actually very easy to design (BUT), caution needs to be taken when building it. (CLEAN AREA) Ambulance manufacturer would be better for LIABILITY issues. In 1985 things were different. But the concept is still the same. If you like, i could hook you up with the person who has been heavily involved with the NJ EMS Task Force Vehicle designs. I will provide some Task Force vehicle photo's.

I've been reading this thread carefully and i don't think people are realizing the LIABILITY issue's which could involve personnel and department's who provide first responder care. Questions? 1. At what level of training is the proper equipment levels to be carried on all apparatus? If at the EMT level then the equipment should be as much as a BASIC LIFE SUPPORT UNIT, excluding a streatcher. What good is an EMT arriving at a scene without the supplies needed to properly care for a patient, I.E. all proper size of BP cuffs. O B kit's suction unit's with the proper size cath's. Assorted Cervical collars. Splints. Airway management. Splints. Traction splints, it's a long time to hold traction waiting for that transport vehicle? Oxygen unit's, with ALL the right type's and sizes for patient's. The list goes on for PROPER PATIENT CARE. 2. Who will provide the money for replacement of the equipment used? REALITY. MY previous work agency WILL NOT hand over replacement supplies to other agencies who provide care at MVA's or other patient care situations prior to EMS arrival and without minimal training. 3. Patient care reports? Legal document's of care provided by First Responder's prior to EMS arrival? I HAVE and WILL continue to document on my patient care report's the agency and personnel involved with care prior to my arrival. In this day and age of camera phones i need to protect MY livelyhood by proper care being delivered. Going to court or giving depositions is becoming old, trying to answer why this or that was done for this patient. I have seen it time and time again C collars placed backwards or upside down on patients and need to correct these mistakes. But it is also documented. If i go to court again, then so will you. This is my profession. For those who have been in front of a judge, jury and especially attorney's, IT'S NO FUN. EMS is frequently involved, not that EMS personnel are being sued but you are part of the process for money mittigation. Just a few examples. Keep Safe.