RescueKujo

It's not just limited to any one region of the country. EMTs become Medics, Private Service Medics leave to become FF/Medics. It is a viscious cycle. Private companies need to find ways to retain these type of people, and have a revolving door of employees.

Gee Jimmy, bust my stones back to limestone why don't ya?? Even though I was born and raised in SoCal I have shoveled snow and even been snowed in once (remember the winter of 1982? Tech school in the DC area). I know how it feels and was truly feeling sorry for ya.

What will hit you guys back east is here right now in Southern California. Weather Channel is saying 3/4" of rain so far in the San Diego area, at my parents house 16 miles east of downtown SD we've had 1.5". Flash flood watches/warnings are announced in all burn areas. Supposedly this will head east early tomorrow morning (Saturday). I feel sorry for you guys when this hits the cold air back there.

Things don't add up on this one. As the article states, there are firmly defined ways that military deaths are announced/notified, and a member's mother notifying the unit is not one of them. As others have said, I pray this gets worked out and this doesn't prove to be a hoax or something much worse.

Today, my SPAAMFA group held it's quarterly meeting at Barton Heliport, home of the Los Angeles County Fire Department Air Operations. Besides our meeting, we were given a tour and had the opprotunity to shoot some photos. Here's a few, more of the helos taking off coming later in the week. 1) LACoFD Copter 12 2) LACoFD Copter 15

A couple more shots, these are helos taking off. Copter 19 (sorry for the bad angle) and Copter 16.

Thoughts and Prayers to his family and fellow firefighters in Volusia County.

A Happy and safe Thanksgiving to my fellow EMTBravo members. May you all enjoy the joy of family on this day. To my Brothers and Sisters who are working to keep their communities safe, Thank you and stay safe yourselves. To the members of our Armed Forces away from their families, thank you for your service. Duane

Would that be a kidney or liver?? Seth, great shots. I'm waiting for your next trip out here. Duane

May the Fallen Officer Rest in Peace. Thoughts and Prayers to his family, friends and the CHP Family.

And lastly, Copter 16.

Seth (and others too numerous to mention), great job on the forums. It is a tough job keeping an equal balance without stepping on too many toes. Keep it up and the site will continue to grow. Thank you for all your hard work. Duane

So, here I am in Las Vegas for some apparatus photography (I will share later) and the Nellis AFB Airshow. I was going to dinner one night, I see the sign for one of EMTBravo's favorite West Coast eateries. But this being Vegas and all, I don't think it looks like he would recognize it....

That's okay, guys. Out here, as stores were selling out of their Halloween candy, the shelves were then stocked with Christmas decorations and candy. Ans as Seth said, this was the end of September

What kind of women are you dating?? Care to share the info??

Like the Quantum and the newer Crimson model??

Here's the quote I love As part of the military, doesn't equipment from the Minnesota National Guard sometimes end up in hot climates?? When I was in the Air Force, a Air National Guard unit from South Dakota deployed to our base in Florida.

I just got this through my email at work. This is a photo of the Harris Fire as it ran from the south side of Mt San Miguel in the southern part of San Diego County. The photo was taken from the Pt Loma pennisula on the west side of San Diego Bay. In the foreground is Downtown San Diego, and you can see the red warning lights of the transmitter towers on San Miguel. This photo was taken sometime late Monday night/early Tuesday morning (October 22nd/23rd) during the incident. Unknown Photographer. Duane

This is an interesting subject, and I can give you both sides. I have been in dispatch now for almost 7 years, with 12 before that as an EMT. I have worked 12 hour night shifts and 24s in the field. That said, I, like many of you have worked way too many hours in one stretch. I remember a 100 hour stretch one time (driving the Children's Hospital response unit). It is insane the hours that we have to put in to make ends meet. Something has to be done in regards to crew safety. First thing I think should be the abolishment of the 24 hour shift. We have a couple units that run 15-17 runs a shift, and I'm sure you can't be at your best at 4 a.m. if you haven't had much rest. Adequate staffing is also a must. But these days, when your crews don't understand the needs of the business, how can you mantain that? On the other hand, in San Diego business is very competitive. We have 8 agencies trying to make a profit with the interfacility transfer business. If you can't/don't give an adequate ETA (most ERs want a 30 minute or less), another company will, just to get the business. And we as dispatchers are questioned if we "lose" a call, unless we're short staffed. But as a dispatcher you better have your ducks in a row and able to explain your decision making process. It's a delicate balance that must be looked at to achieve what is best in the end. But what usually ends up happening is the crews, in the effort to take care of the customer/patients, gets the short end of the stick.

Thoughts and prayers to my EMS brothers and Sisters back east. May God watch over all of you and help you through this terrible time. Duane

Here's one for the Red Sox fans....

It's actually San Jose in the Bay area, not San Diego that is testing this out...

La Mesa borders the eastern edge of San Diego along Interstate 8 in the county. It is my understanding that while the Harris Fire burned to the eastern edge of the Eastlake section of Chula Vista, no homes were lost in that city. For those whose families were affected by this disaster, prayers go out that all are safe and well.

Thanks Mike. With what I've dealt with this week the laughs were worth it. I'm sure everyone's heard that first one before, but with their favorite team and their hated rival. I know I've read it with the Chargers and Raiders, with the Raider fans being the idiots.

Put on your duck costumes, he won't shoot at you that way!!