Goose

No, that plan is not available nationally only in a number of specific regions. Everyone is still awaiting Sprint's official entrance into the price war, hopefully Hesse (the new CEO) will do the right thing. So far he's been earning his paycheck.

When is your contract up? The reason i left nextel was because they were promising service in areas where no service existed, i threatened to take my business elsewhere - but was polite and professional about it - and was able to speak with someone from retentions to give me a good deal. I've heard of people getting far better deals than i have, i guess its all about how much you want to push. Right now, Sprint will do almost anything to stop the mass exodus to other carriers

You're never going to be able to protect the c-spine 100%, 100% of the time. I would argue that more often than not if there is damage due to human error its likely because the patient got out and walked around on his/her cell phone for 10 minutes before you arrived. If you ask me, i think the KED does more harm than good, considering the maneuvering needed to get the device on correctly. I've always been privy to collar, manual stabilization, then go for the long board under the butt, rotate the patient and a long-axis slide up the board. In my mind, this most effectivly address a host of issues: C-spine, poss. life threats and timely transfer to definitive care.

Dropped my Nextel last week, got Sprint to upgrade me to a Pocket PC at a very discounted price. Absolutely despise Verizon as they are far too overzealous with their prices and their CS sucks (had them for 4 years). Been with very happy with sprint since 2004. This is what i negotiated with Sprint last week: I've got 450 Anytime Minutes w/ domestic long distance, free roaming, free nights weekends starting at 7pm: $49.99 Pick 3 - Free unlimited calling to any 3 numbers on any network: $0.00 Unlimited Data: email, text message, picture message, video message, voice message, web browsing, etc. (no monthly data cap like with verizon - plus you can't beat Sprint's EVDO Rev. A network): $15.00 Total insurance coverage (usually 7/month): $0.00 for the next 24 months 15% Discount as an emergency services employee 450 dollar account credit - so i don't actually have to pay a bill for a few months I'm eager to see what plans Sprint decides to throw into the mess to match or beat out the others, if the price and features are right i will adjust my plan. Some say they are looking into unlimited voice for 60/month. If they threw in voice and data for anywhere between 80 and 99/month sign me up!

You can thank Giuliani for screwing EMS in NYC, but that's an entirely different story. As far as hospitals running EMS, many don't want to have anything to do with running an EMS agency because it costs exorbitant amounts of money with little return and it's far far different than running a hospital. As far as Medical Control...i think there is more of a symbiotic relationship than a top down my way or the highway.

When i do a heavy job i always tend to wonder if the patient ever feels for us. I mean, trying to wrestle someone that heavy down the stairs, then rolling 500 pounds of meat back and forth and in and out of different moving equipment isn't exactly safe or easy. There are some nice tools out there to facilitate bari transport, but how often is a bari going to tell the 911 operator he/she weighs in at 500 pounds? As far as feeling for the patients...i understand the genetic linkage to obesity, but there is just something about walking into a patient's room only to have them tell ya to wait while they finish their pizza or Chinese food and then go "oooh, i feel sick...., i think i may vomit..." or "i'm havin' trouble breathin" I don't mean to sound cold, but if i just rammed a slice of pizza or a carton of pork fried rice down my throat i would feel sick too and if my lungs had to fight against 500 pounds of flesh i would have difficulty breathing as well! In my eyes, you have to draw the line somewhere...

Is it me or does at least one of the people on the line in the pictures of the car fire during a snow storm look like hes about 16. I would think they would have enough brains to at least make the kid (if he is actually that young) wear the SCBA... Also, gotta love the jeans and boat shoes, my personal favorite picture is this: http://www.brianduddy.com/p/cn010508/dsc_748558#photo_s Glad i don't live in Nyack...

In all honesty, MRSA and all that other fun stuff is on 99.9% of us anyway. Likewise, do you think a pre-K classroom or any school for that matter is much different? What about a pediatrician’s office? Six one half a dozen the other if you ask me... Practice basic hygiene and you'll be fine

It's all politics. Until we become (if we ever become) a dedicated third service the above is going to continue to be the status quo. There are some major forces out there that are looking to eliminate EMS as a separate entity and because we don't have the same recognition, representation (local, state, federal), respect or power of some of the other emergency services nothing is likely to change. Anyone who works EMS full time knows it takes at least two jobs to make ends meet, couple that with the rigors of daily life and who has time to attend or plan the type of organizations that we so desperately need. NAEMT is nice, but kind of a joke when you look at the IAFF or PBA. Unionization is often not an option because your likely to get canned if your name is every associated with the notion. Then look at all the people who put their time in on the bus in hopes of becoming a FF or PO? That equates to a lot of people with something less than a passion for EMS. Wish i had the answer to all of this stuff, but, and its unfortunate to say, I've got more important things to worry about - like paying bills and college loans. So, I'll continue to pick up shifts and feed the machine that is screwing (for lack of a better term) me because it sure beats unemployment, poor credit, and debit up to my eyeballs...

Heh, i applied for NJ reciprocity back in July and never got my packet in the mail...oh well

Date:1/25/08 Time: 22:38 (approx) Location: I-84 East Frequency: Putnam 911, State Police Band, Dutchess 911 Units Operating: Medic 4, State Troopers, Lake Carmel Ambulance, Lake Carmel Fire, East Fishkill FD Description Of Incident: Above units dispatched for an MVA w/ fire and pin. Putnam 911 put chopper on standby. Troopers update all occupants out of vehicle, 1 vehicle fully involved, 1 pt. with poss. broken leg. Incident turned over to EFFD as accident is within their jurisdiction. Writer: Goose & DOC22 22:39 - Medic 4 responding 22:44 - 17-7-1 Responding 22:45 - IC reporting 1 pt. w/ poss. broken leg, I-84 East shut down 22:47 - Unreadable Lake Carmel unit O/S 22:48 - Carmel VAC 17-7-1 O/S 22:50 - IC canceling medivac, 17-44 O/S 22:53 - IC poss. requesting East Fishkill (transmission somewhat unreadable) Per DOC22 (who can hear all of this far better than i can) this was actually EFFDs district, the scene has since been turned over to them, but Lake Carmel seems to be remaining on the scene for assistance. 23:07 - Putnam Medic 4 requesting second ambulance to the scene for an additional injury, reportedly a bystander. 23:10 - East Fishkill on the scene and handling 23:15 - 17-7-1 enroute to Danbury 1 pt ALS

Not a Firefighter, but i would encourage you to look into Haix footwear. I recently purchased a pair of their Rescue US station/EMS boots and have been floored by the build quality, durability, protection and comfort. I know they offer a few structural firefighting options, below are links to two models similar to the Globe and Warringtons: Fire Hunter US http://www.haix.com/usa/firefighting_produ...?artikel=502002 Fire Hunter AF http://www.haix.com/usa/firefighting_produ...?artikel=501601 Both models are below 400 dollars MSRP and likely far less from an online vendor. Haix also offers an extended warranty program as well as a re-soleing program. Basically, if the boots break/fail/wear down you send them back to Haix and whatever needs to be repaired or replaced is done so by Haix employees utilizing Haix materials. Best of luck in the search!

Looking pretty sweet! Once you expand, don't forget 1&1 and Engine 3

I've more or less given up on DES as a viable training center for EMS. 95+% of all their courses are Fire related and require some fire prerequisite. I find that my employer, on top of mandatory monthly training, offers and informs me of class after class after class. CMEs, lectures, courses, etc.

I think it's about accountability more than anything. All individuals on that truck were being wholeheartedly irresponsible and unprofessional but what are the chances of them having been reprimanded for that? If i had to put money on it, i would say slim to none. This goes for any volunteer agency (EMS/Fire). I think that when your in a career capacity (again, EMS or Fire) you are more likely to be reprimanded for this sorta stupidity. Likewise, there is, more often than not, a built in structural accountability apparatus (for lack of a better term). IE: those members would have to go take a safety course and the driver would have to additionally take a CEVO or additional drivers safety course on top of any official reprimand. Everything would be tracked on paper and there would be a built in limit of how many violations are acceptable within x amount of time. Thats what your not getting in a volunteer setting...and if they do have it, its not being enforced Just in case anyone decides to target my response or accuse me of "bashing" the above comments/questions/concerns are my right as a PC taxpayer.

your talking about semantics, nothing is going to change youll probably still have the same people there just a different uniform and paint scheme.

I'm pretty sure that if you fail you get a letter anywhere from 2-4 weeks and if you pass 4-6 weeks (?)...so they overlap a bit. They really need to implement some sort of automated or online result check (ie: enter your social or number).

I think this discussion highlights a major structural flaw with FDNY*EMS and something that has bothered me for some time. The concept of a "promotional" exam for appointment to Firefighter sets EMS to fail as a legitimate third career service from the get-go. I can only imagine the number of people that go out and get their EMT certification for the sole purpose taking the promotional exam in hopes of crossing over to suppression. Now you've got a group of employees who have no passion for EMS, this can only lead to stagnation. The concept of a "promotion" from EMS to something else highlights the fact that EMS is officially considered a step-child. Couple that with the tension between suppression and EMS (yes it does exist) because people have chosen to milk the system and your going no where fast. If you want to be a Firefighter, take the FDNY Firefighters test. EMS is a career filled with training, education and passion - like Firefighting - dedicated to the preservation of life. Abusing this profession for any other reason (aka to be promoted elsewhere) is a disservice to every EMS professional and EMS more generally.

Evidently America's best and brightest....

The exodus from EMS to another branch of emergency service is disturbing because it highlights the disenfranchisement that exists particularly when there is a promotional exam to move to another emergency service. Shouldn't we all be on the same playing field?

It just aggravates me that my profession is seen so menial that it needs to have a promotional component built into it in large systems like FDNY*EMS where there is tremendous potential. It has become the proverbial back door to suppression. Sure, your motivated, but your not motivated to be a career EMS professional. Your dedicated to being a Firefighter (there is nothing wrong with that, don't get me wrong) and thus have no problem putting your year or two on the bus if it will mean easy street to proby school. Let's not beat around the bush, it's a problem. I've talked with immediate family who are FDNY (suppression) members, one who's an officer, and the sentiment is more or less the same. Utilizing the back door has turned EMS members into skells, "enlarged medical technicians", etc. and has subsequently made them unwelcome in firehouses and seen as lazy. It really is upsetting.

Rescue 1's Pierce not holding up well? ALF seems to do well by Yonkers, as they see a lot of work and i haven't heard any complaints on here about them out of Yonkers...

Photounit, Listening to City Fire over your thread now, awsome tool!

Couldn't have said it any better myself!

Chris, i think your right. I remember seeing photos of it on here a few years back. Nice unit Chester. Appears to be very well organized and stocked. I hope you guys never have to use it!