Goose

Some people may not know what an MDT or Mobile Data Terminal is.

I've always wondered why they never kept the 4 fly cars and just added 2 BLS ambulances...

God bless, all the best to you and your family during this difficult time.

Chris, Don't get me wrong. I'm not advocating that the County not put out RFPs for the service, i agree that they should. I just find it amusing that at the very reasonable price of $950K (which is likely an unrealistic low-ball price) they are looking to cut corners. I don't know all the particulars, but the County has had a well publicized fiscal issue, and as you suggest while it may hurt i think they should be realistic about what it costs to provide EMS in 2008. Setting the bar artificially low is only going to limit the County's options as far as providers are concerned.

Very cute LB, very cute. How many awards did you get this year?

Well said Celtic, 100% on target. Man, today politicians are really getting on my nerves. First our esteemed Gov. and now this garbage. What everyone in Putnam needs to do is let their representation know they are getting a STEAL on their ALS service right now. I'm not an EMS administrator, but the Putnam contract, as it stands now, is probably worth 1 - 3 million dollars, at least. Once the County sends out their RFPs they are going to get a real wakeup call if they think they will get the kind of coverage they have now for under 1 million, it just isn't happening. The days of low-balled contracts is over. Enough is enough already. Is it going to take the death of a loved one for these politicians to understand that value associated with EMS and those that choose the profession?

Latest updates coming down the pipe are that Lt. Gov. Paterson could be sworn in as early as 7pm EST.

What a dirt bag. I never liked this SOB and I'm happy to say i never voted for him. What makes this even more disgusting is that he acted as if he was going to sweep in and bring New York back from the brink, instead his administration has been fraught with more scandal and abuse of power and tax payer money then likely any administration in recent history. Reports are trickling in that he will apparently resign, and i can only hope that be the case. Good riddance.

On the same token i often wonder if some of the volunteer leadership is any better off. At least elected officials could be held accountable. God forbid you try and question why a volunteer department needs to go drop so much on bells and whistles for their next engine or super tower ladder. As was mentioned, all these trucks are massive with like 9 man cabs and tons of do-dads and no one can do a damn thing because if you speak out your anti-volunteer. At least with a mayor or other government official the buck stops with someone and you can take steps to take that person out of power next election cycle....

Gotta love it. I can't believe people are actually resisting a step in the right direction, it's about time New York get with the program and the 21st Century. I, for one, would like to see this signed into law.

15 Victor, the ALS unit OLM runs. In NYC ALS trucks are at the latter half of the alphabet and BLS are in the beginning of alphabet (roughly). So trucks Adam, Boy, Charlie are BLS Zebra, Victor, Willy are ALS. The number, in OLM's case 15, is the FDNY batallion the unit resides in if im not mistaken. Apologies, i interpreted OLMedic's previous post wrong!

Looks like some of that info may be inaccurate, per OLMmedic.

After taking a look in another thread at the unofficial Memphis FD website i couldn't help but notice the white paper advocating fire based EMS. I recalled reading through a recommendation to the federal government that they create an administration to oversee and centralize EMS ( a recommendation that scared/upset many). Anyhow a quick googel search picked up the GW University recommendation. http://emsresource.net/politics/HSPI_EMS_t...port_5-2-05.pdf (courtesy of GWU and www.emsresource.net) I haven't ever seen it posted here, and i encourage every EMS professional/volunteer/enthusiast to read through it. There is no question in my mind that the creation of a USEMSA is one of the first steps needed to elevate EMS to the position it deserves and needs. Read, discuss and contact your local legislators.

Thanks Bro.

I just find it ironic that only 10 years ago without the voluntaries there wouldn't have been any EMS in NYC because FDNY didn't have the units or bodies. At one point, if I'm not mistaken, OLM*EMS took care of the entire north Bronx. Gotta love the politics.

I don't know any of the particulars, but i believe that Monti owns the trucks they just contract out the personnel

I was told first hand that Monti would be looking at combining EMS efforts once its Transcare contract expires.

no...hes talking about CMEs. PCRs are picked and reviewed in a group setting with a doc/pa/someone else leading the discussion on the condition and treatment modality/options. 129, head over to http://www.hvremsco.org/ and click on the CME link on the left navigation bar, there will be a list of all CMEs offered in the area, call audits are included.

What email accounts are you talking about? The email you can get through FIOS? Did the tech that installed it at your residence walk you through the intial setup (where you step up your email and account admin as well as speed test)? I urge you to talk to tech support, i've called them a few times and they have been MORE than helpful - and because the call centers are unionized they are all ENGLISH SPEAKING AMERICANS. I've had FIOS since may (tv, phone, internet) and have been MORE THAN HAPPY!!! My phone quality is crisp and clear, my tv is near HD quality and with the base package i have 300 + channels as well as on demand, and my internet is BLAZING fast. I average downloads at the 1 - 2 mb/second range, upload is somewhere around 400 - 550 kb/s. Honestly, its a great package and i'm glad i did it. I'm saving money, everything comes in one bill and i couldn't be happier with the speed/quality. Not a complete Verizon fan (dropped their cell service like a bad habit 4 years ago and am very happy with Sprint) but they really took the cake with FIOS if you ask me.

Wishes for a speedy and full recovery!

Amen. I couldn't agree more with what this Green Beret has to say. God bless Nate, Mike and, Mike Murphy, all of those who have fallen while defending us before and after the 9/11 terrorist attacks and all those who continue to serve in harms way so that we may enjoy the fruits of freedom and liberty. I think more people need to really listen to and embrace what this Green Beret has to say.

Much appreciated! I think this will really help to drive more discussions in a much more mature and productive direction.

Thanks for highlighting this MAJOR issue. I think it takes at least one certification cycle of full-time EMS experience to really get yourself grounded in the field. One of the biggest issues is, if you double or triple the training hours, the volunteers are going to raise hell. Now, these aren't fighting words at all, but the argument will be made - and has been made to me in personal conversation - that volunteers already take time out of their lives to respond to calls (which is a noble cause) and to train (however little it may be) now you expect them to go through a course thats 300+ hours that requires more a more advanced knowledge bank and skill set, your putting an unreasonable burden on the system. Now, this I'm not saying volunteer agencies are solely to blame. This issue is very complex and multifaceted, but they contribute their fair share to the problem. I can't tell you how many times I've done meet and assists with volunteer agencies (who have a full crew and bus o/s) only to have them turf over a BLS call to us because "were going back towards the hospital anyway" or because they don't feel like transporting patients from the adult home. But they would be the first to kick and scream and ring their local politicians the second the state were to hand down more rigorous standards or more training requirements claiming the state was trying to drown or shut down the volunteers in the interests of commercials/municipal systems.

Old pictures. Also, you need to put a *GRAPHIC* warning on this topic, some people may find these images disturbing.

Well you've got until 2010 - 2012 then iDEN gets shut off or sold. Sprint is coming out with a new version of Direct Connect based on QChat technology. Basically, its the nextel push to talk on a regular CDMA sprint phone. So, you've got, in theory, better service area and less interfeance with public safety and current radio infrastructure. Should be out by middle of this year, keep your eyes open.