OoO

Although I'm guilty of this too...all the reason to always lock your ambulance.

You don't have to agree with the protest to support their right to protest. This incident is terrible and the people responsible need to be held responsible, but as a whole, why should the protest be ended?

I have always been confused as to why the grasslands complex has its own ambulance. Why isn't it covered by whoever covers the surrounding area?

What is your agency's policy or plans to responding to calls during a hurricane? At some point do you stop responding to calls until after the storm has passed? I have searched the web extensively and cannot seem to find recommendations on this topic. My concern is that once wind speeds accelerate, it is no longer safe to drive a fire apparatus or ambulance in terms of staying in control of the vehicle, as well as concerning the threat of projectiles and fallen trees. I would be very interested in a police, fire and EMS prospective on the matter.

Ugliest looking police car I've seen in recent memory. Reminds me of the old style NYPD cars.

I didn't realize that. Any particular reason? Aren't chevrons now a NFPA standard?

Very surprised to see no chevrons or directional bar on the back. Chevrons seem to be the way everyone is moving and IMHO make a big difference in visibility.

I ride in a district where PD responds to all EMS runs and most of the officers are not CFR or EMT certified. I think they're presence helps out EMS more than the patient and I greatly appreciate them coming out. Entering someone's home could potentially be very dangerous, you do not know what kind of mental state the patient or family members/bystanders are in. The PD's presence makes a big difference in keeping the scene safe and making me more comfortable entering a dark strange home.

The airbag restraints were discussed here recently, consensus seemed to be that they are ineffective and a bad idea.

The "G" has nothing to do with GPS or operating system. 3G vs 4G is about network internet speed. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4G http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3G

If one were to complete the PHTLS instructor class, does this enable them to set up and teach their own classes?<br><br>Thanks!

Thanks. I saw the instructor class offered at Cortlandt Community VAC on January 31st.

The manual stretcher.

I disagree, not everyone drives...

I wish the law came with funding for public education. There are some great slow down, move over PSA commercials on ResponderSafety.com. Perhaps another organization will foot the bill to run a campaign?

I would think this falls somewhere under MCI / Triage protocol.

Any westchester units helping out?

City to Bill Motorists Who Crash and Need Aid

Coming from an EMS provider's prospective, I find it extremely helpful to have FD on scene, especially on the highway. Backboarding a patient out of a car can be challenging with just 2 people (I know some VACs roll with 4+, but when that's not the case) plus the FD is very helpful for traffic control and ensuring scene safety.

G Good idea in theory but...http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Would-road-spikes-help-prevent-wrong-way-drivers-617015.php

M' Ave, I agree and am also split on the topic. I also don't think its fair for ambulances to be able to bill but not fire departments. There are a few key differences though. First of all, ambulances can only bill if they transport, but it looks like the FDNY will be billing for any call they are dispatched to regardless of whether their services are needed. Second of all, EMS charges are almost always covered by health insurance companies and as this article states, most auto insurance policies do not cover fire department costs.

Very funny, coming from a volunteer EMT myself.

For one of the agencies that I ride with, I have begun to notice EMTs leaving a 16 hour shift at one agency to do another 12 hours at another. I think this is dangerous in terms of fatigue and I'd like to look into implementing a policy requiring a minimum amount of rest time between shifts. Does anyone have a similar policy in place or have any suggestions/opinions on this issue?

What is EMS 11? I have seen it listed in several recent incident reports.