Goose

I think you're talking about trauma center criteria when you reference falling from 2 - 3 times a patient's height or impact dynamics of a MVA. In terms of utilizing the chopper specifically in this area, take a look at this link http://www.wremsco.o...nes (v2011).pdf As for the study, too much is open to interpretation. Personally, i feel the efficacy for a helicopter transport in Westchester is limited.

I highly doubt the insurance payment recovery rate for EMS services in Yonkers would offset the cost of establishing and maintaing a citywide municipal EMS system.

Its not all that difficult to make some small changes that will have big impacts on you're health and life in general. Smoking aside, stay away from sugary drinks....for many cutting out soda alone will equate to pounds lost, control you're portion sizes, try and eat a balanced diet w/ fiber, whole grains (i.e. stay away from wonder bread), fruits, veggies and lean protein sources (fish is great, chicken w/o the skin is good too). Space you're meals throughout the day w/ a healthy low-fat snap in between and start reading labels. Also, doing light physical activity like walking is great. You don't need to run 10 miles a day to be fit. Walk a local school track or a favorite trail or road. I think the biggest thing is that you need to start small and gradually progress. I find as humans many of us tend to want to jump right in and go all or nothing and then we end up giving up a week later. Start w/ adjusting you're diet then maybe add in some light walking and go from there. I'm sure you will be pleased w/ the results. best of luck.

Sorta like the fitch report for westchester?

I don't think anyone is turning anything one way or the other, its a cold hard fact that there are more toys out there than we need or that can be adequately staffed. Period. The money could have been better spent on a more robust radio / data network for emergency personnel, at least in my mind.

I can't think of a good reason not to have the ability to have MDTs in the police cars, ambulances and fire apparatus.

One would think that they would expand the network and throw EMS & Fire on the county system full time. It's got to be quite the mess up at 60 to dispatch and talk to all these agencies on the county trunked banks and their own networks.

I would have thought that metro tech would contact 60 to make a mutual aid request. Seems like that would ensure actability and a more resource effective manor of getting them the units they needed.

It's funny, they make you feel all good when that nice lady from DCAS calls and wishes you luck on test day. Not worth the aggravation if you ask me, getting that masters is looking better and better.

It all depends on the leadership of the organization and the culture they want to foster. There are youth members who have been more help to me than credentialed members, there are some that are victims of their own organization as they are just thrown on a bus, then there are youth members who think this is some sort of game and screw around. I had the privilege to having been taken under senior career providers wings - their lessons are relevant to me every tour i work - i try to pass those same lessons along to those who WANT to or are WILLING to learn.

Not sure the playing field is that level anymore.

Just trashed my exam ticket. Dealing with ridiculousness is a waste of time. We all know who the city is looking to hire.

Oh, i know...i thought we were focusing on Westchester

Maybe its, me, but all this great discussion seems to be for naught. We have to remember that we are talking about Westchester County here...the majority of transporting agencies are overwhelmed by 1 request for an ambulance which (patient care aside) ties up some of us fly-car medics for inordinate swaths of time. That alone, in my mind, prevents any real ability to establish or properly interface with PD to plan for or effectively respond to these sorts of events. God forbid this were to happen anywhere here...its going to be a cluster.

Maybe i'm wrong...but if you ask me the article in question is more about the City Council and Mayor desiring a bit more authority and transparency over the Fire Department. Seems like the way it stands now the fire warden board is a bit antiquated and generally operates independently of the City Council....maybe that was fine 70 years ago, but its 2012...i don't see anything wrong with what the City Council is looking for. Especially when there are career staff involved. If you're really this aggravated about this whole thing, why don't you write in to the City Council or comment at one of their meetings instead of degrading Mr. Nechis? It really seems like some seriously misguided anger.

I think you may need to reevaluate the way you're looking at this. I'm not sure anyone is advocating that a shooter or shooters not be apprehended, i think the key is that both the apprehension of the suspect or suspects, the orderly evacuation of those able to evacuate, and the initial treatment and and extrication of victims needs to occur simultaneously. Thus, there may be a greater need to have EMS interface w/ PD in these types of tactical situations. I will be honest, and tell you that i would personally find it hard to simply leave a child who's the victim of penetrating trauma in a situation like this. Those in Ohio lucked out - this nut bag seems to have been particular who he wanted to inflict harm upon, it looks like one or two others unfortunately were in the cross fire. After doing what he came there to do he booked...neutralizing any additional threat to the students in that facility.

Its a high profile event so the manpower will crawl out of the wood work, for sure. Now, competent manpower becomes a different story.

Don't waste you're time. If you're looking to become an ALS provider you're going to learn more and have more options/opportunities w/ a paramedic card than a CC card.

So then apply to MLSS? No one, except you, can figure out where you should apply and what jobs you should accept. I really feel like you're asking us to pick for you - you went on the interviews, you have to go with you're gut tells you is right and where you think you will be most happy.

Hes referencing how the state of Connecticut organizes things. You're licensed through the state DPH and credentialed to work by the state's respective regions.

RIP Sister. Sad this doesn't get even half the responses a Firefighter or Police Officer LODD.

How do you feel about extending the 5 year card to everyone? I treat as many patients as any FDNY paramedic...there is absolutely no reason why AT LEAST that can't be extended to others.

Just need to pay the state on a yearly basis to keep you're credentials current, continuing education would be a regional requirement to keep you're regional credentials (i.e. MAC) current.

I don't think anyone is going to argue that more training is a bad thing. However, i think that often times department culture is going to really dictate the reality on the ground. Some fire departments have long been an essential part of the EMS system and as a result either the department or apparatus bosses have cultured their people to become good practitioners - i think this is a great thing. On the other hand, certifications and the best equipment is worthless as some departments and their members have a holier than thou attitude or simply look down upon EMS. I've had engines refuse to assist EMS on aided cases and engines drive right past me when called to assist my partner and i working an arrest. So yeah, good training and equipment are great but they really won't make any meaningful impact on patient care if the right culture is not well established. Just my take for the little it's worth.

If you have no experience as a paramedic i can't imagine you would be getting paid more than low 20s/hr - if that. As far as EMS as a career - in this area, it's just a job and as soon as you get into it you should be looking towards a way out - whatever that may be. Often, down south and out west it is a respectable career w/ a salary and benefits that are on par with other emergency services. As far as union shops, i'm not sure there is any EMS union - 1199 excluded (and thats not really a EMS union) - worth paying dues to. Get some experience in a private and you'll be able to build your resume and clinical database to move on. Good luck.