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Hey guys, this is Franco Colon. Found this because I decided to Google myself. I just wanted to clarify some things. I had decided not to really say anything regarding this since I had planned on fighting this with my Union but the more time that passes by, the less I feel like drawing this out. First off, I was a Full Time EMT at LICH with no prior instances of ever getting in trouble. I've never banged out of a tour and I've always been comically early. As an EMT in NYC we don't have a station that we hang out at in between calls. We sit at our assigned locations in the ambulance and respond to calls from there. We were parked at our assigned location for about 3 hours. I have my personal laptop with me when I work and so we were passing the time. Obviously we ended up going on chatroulette and since our gas masks where with us we put them on. It was stupid and a bad idea. As you know, pictures were taken an put on Flickr. Another stupid, bad idea. What did NOT happen. We didn't flirt with girls, we didn't write anything obscene or vulgar, you couldn't identify what hospital we were from, I was NOT driving and texting (a photo was taken of me while I was sitting there texting on my phone but my left hand happened to be resting on the wheel) and that photo was NOT named "Franco likes Safety". It was 10 minutes out of our 16 hour shift. We responded to our calls, pt care wasn't compromised, nobody would have even known about it. That is until the reporter from the post found the photos, came to the hospital, threatened us with a story. She was just out for blood. Because of the issues our hospital has been facing lately, we were terminated without a chance to say anything in our defense. I've never even received so much as a written warning. Technically we weren't terminated because of the article, we were terminated for a series of extremely grey policies that allows the administration to fire you for just about anything. The really ridiculous thing about this all. Nobody from the hospital except the reporter, my partner and myself has even seen the photos in question. It's all been based on the word of the reporter. I have no desire to distribute these photos but I'll say this. Friends of mine who have seen them agree when I say, it's absolutely crazy so much fuss is being made over such simple harmless boring photos. I love my job, and it pains me that something like this happened. I feel like I was struck by lightning, just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I would love nothing more than to just move on and get a job somewhere else. I just hope this doesn't hang over me like a black cloud while I try to do so. Watch out guys and gals. Big Brother is watching.

I dont agree with a lot of the bill as passed but look at it as a beggining. O'bama went into the presidency wanting the biggest change to be that congress could work together but the only thing the republicans were ready for was to say no to whatever was proposed. From inaguration day their main goal was to not support this presidency period. The man could adopt full on republican views but if they came out of his mouth the GOP would disagree with them. As for him bankrupting the country George & Dick went in with a surplus and left us close to in a derpression. The automakers, the banks, their fault or did they have nothing to do with the previous eight years. Oh I know 9/11 9/11. well I lost family on 9/11 and found it insulting that the Cheney/Bush regime used that to screw this country and ppush many an agenda that was catastrophic for this country. I dont like that the Democrats are using the sanme tactics as the Republicans did of jamming agendas down peoples throats. But helping your fellow man/ socialism? My Irish grandfather once told me the difference between the English and the Irish was that the English regard beggars as being, if not exactly criminals, then close to the crimminal class. The Irish, on the contrary, regard their relief as almost a sacred duty. I'm begining to see a comparison with parties now. And ER's being over run because of it? Where have you been? We're already 75 calls ahead of last year because people go to the ER NOW because they can't be refused treatment even though they dont have health care. Everyone agrees that the health care system is broken, a mess, but the it's broke but don't fix it doesn't wash with me. Neither does the we'll only do it our way or no way. You want to call this socialism and scare people finne but I'll take a little socialism over the eight previous years of facism any day.

If it were unsafe, they could not have expected the patient to walk it either. If it were unsafe, they'd have never made it to work that morning.

WORD! Franco ... firstly welcome to EMT city. First off I believe you 100%. Secondly I believe some on this website owe you an apology. This momentary lapse of judgement and as if we ALL are not guilty of this at one point in our careers ... Hell I know I have, but I believe that it is part of being farking HUMAN BEINGS. But following this downward trend proves 2 things: 1: Big Sister is watching ... BITCH and this is not the first time news groveling reporters destroy lives .. DUH. 2: We still eat our young just when will WE grow up as a profession ? Thoughts .... or does anyone know of an employer that stands up for the employee and is looking for a stand up EMT ?

Yes... because professionals hand in their sense of humour. I'm with you for the most part, but let's not overstate the case. Being a professional does not preclude joking around. That doesn't mean that these particular EMT's were in the right, I didn't see their photos and I don't know the P&P of their employer.

As I have watched these posts I have to admit Dwayne you again make me understand the american mind a little more. You are one in a Million and by that I mean you have taken responsibilty for your actions. Like you said you chose to have a child and if he needs anything you will do anything to make that happen. The unfortuant thing is that again you are one in a million the rest dont think that way. Maybe healthcare reform is not the way to go but come on the cost of your hospital stays is rediculas (didnt spell that right) 22 years ago a friend (who is also responsible and paid the bill) had her child in the states and as we were looking through the bill I couldnt believe she had to pay $5.00 for an extra strength tylonol. So maybe if the costs were forced to go down people would have a better ability to pay their bills. I have always had health care and in reality I know no different but Im sure glad that when I go to have surgery Im not going home with a 100k bill. Everyone is going to have a different opinion about this but I think that most agree that something needs to change in the system but if this isnt the start then what is. ps Dwayne the 1 in a mill is a complement and I dont believe that you should be fined for something you dont want

You know what? I am damn sick of all the exaggeration and violent talk! DAMN SICK OF IT! More profanity would be included if this were not an internet forum. But seriously people? I am ashamed that some of us are now cheering on death threats? Saying Obama has now ruined the whole country? Revolution is the only answer? I didn't see anyone b1tching like this when the federal gov't saw its largest expansion ever under Bush. Now some of you sound like chicken little with talk of how "the sky is falling!" I don't necessarily agree with Obama's bill or many elements of his presidency, but as an EMS professional, citizen, and human being, I know how to appropriately express my views and push for change. I am disgusted to hear some of the talk on here. You need to realize there are two sides to every issue, maybe try to look at the other side of things, or the positive in this very bill. More help for children with pre-existing conditions gets my full support! I DO think there needs to be HEALTHY debate about the economic implications and things I don't personally care for such as cuts in care for senior citizens, but come on people, lets grow up, clean up our act, and stop these INFANTILE EXPLANATIONS of complex issues. This does not apply to all posters or even posters who are against the bill. If it applies to you, you probably already know it.

I do hope I am misinterpreting your posting. While we may either agree or disagree with laws put in place by those who we choose to represent us, we are still a country ruled by ballots, not bullets. If you feel the person elected to represent you is not representing your views and/or interests, vote them out of office, and elect in someone you feel would represent your views and/or interests.

In a true "disaster" situation the last person I'm worrying about is the person I can't save. I'm worried about the patients I can save. This wasn't a disaster. It was an inconvenience, and nothing more. The patient complained of abdominal pain and must have been legitimately sick considering he died the next day. You can't assess someone over the phone and say "well sir, you only have some belly pain, take a tums, and walk to the ambulance if you want a ride." It's unethical, period. Do your DAMN JOB! If you don't want to do your job, then quit and let one of the countless providers that do what to do their job take your spot. If it was safe enough for the patient to trek to them, it was safe enough for them to trek out to the patient. Period.

I dunno, man... I think you give them too much credit for trying to do the right thing. I believe they know darn good and well that they're only making things worse. But they also know that, the worse they make it, the more we depend on them. Consequently, everything they do is just to buy votes, not to actually fix anything.

Some days I have to shake my head in disbelief.

Its also safe to say Dwayne, that there are Hospital Based "charity programs" which will forgive portions of you bill when you show hardship. Also some states (Indiana is one but they are ending the program due to the new "reforms") offer programs to help get insurance for children and state ran COBRA plans for high risk. This is part of the reason I understand many states are suing under the 10th Amendment.(Wiki on 10th Amendment for the non-Americans) We are not hanging our population out on the cross when they get injured or ill. We are just trying promote individual responsibility. I really like the line I bolded from Dewayne. America stands on the basis of freedom. It's not true freedom when its only allowed when convenient. Freedom: the power to exercise choice and make decisions without constraint from within or without; autonomy; self-determination. I would love to have the mind trust of Washington, Jefferson, Franklin, Adams, and the rest here today, to look at the nation, and see what their true reaction is.

Thanks I know the reason why, its like I pay for all of those that steal at the grocery store. My point was that in the US they have overcharged for everything (just look at pharmicuticals), they become compliant and continue to pay. If you as a nation decided to not pay those prices then maybe the corps. would have to drop the fee's and make it more affordable to more people. I also know easier said than done, and I also know that this whole issue is nothing more than a pandoras box. Hopsitals are a business and are there to make money, they make the money to have the best DR's and nurses, have the best equipment in the hopes that they will get more pts that can pay, but alas there are always those who cant pay for what ever reason and down goes the surpluses and up go the fee's.

Them thar be real fightin' words! Koch hated EMS more than Rudy G did!! Not yet, as I still want to get it done myself. If I mess up too badly, I'll remember the offer.

I'm truly glad to hear you say that, because now I don't need insurance. I simply need enough money to fly to NZ, right? Screw health insurance, I'm going to bank a few thousand dollars and then if I ever get terribly sick I'll fly over there and exercise my human right to top notch medical care despite my inability to pay. Thanks man!! Yeah, we do hope to some day claw our way out of our mud huts and rub some sticks together for fire or something... I'm a little surprised to hear about the "joy" the Aussies and Kiwis exude when describing the euphoria of giving basic human needs to all. I worked with many people from each country...and don't you both have indigenous populations that you're really not so friggin' happy to be supplying with 'basic human needs?' Seems like I might have heard something like that whispered from time to time... And I was once physically prevented from hitting a male Canadian nurse in Afg when I was told that if a double traumatic Afghani amputee wanted proper pain management four hours post op that 'perhaps he can show me his insurance card?" Easily the least compassionate medicine I witnessed there came from Canada. Is this a symptom of socialized medicine? I don't know, but if it is, then it certainly should be discussed, shouldn't it? (I have only my small little snapshot of Afg NATO medicine, so it's certainly possible that the crews I witnessed were some type of fluke. I simply know that I didn't witness like flukes from any other countries.) Now, I have friends that I love from each of these countries. My point isn't to degrade them but to suggest that if we're actually going to discuss there merits and detriments of socialized medicine then perhaps we might be better served to amputate the nonsensical Kumbaya (sp) dialog from the discussion. Throughout this discussion we've allowed the countries with socialized medicine to present it as if everyone there walks into well lit clinics and hospitals where the staff is waiting for them with a dethorned red rose just gushing over the opportunity to serve them immediately. "OOhhh that mole does look nasty. It should be removed. Well, we have an opening this afternoon if that will suit your purposes?" "Mr. Jones, you will need your knee replaced before we'll be able to get you walking without that terrible pain. Will the day after tomorrow be good for you? Awesome! We'll send someone to pick you up!" Can those of you that come from countries with socialized medicine tell me honestly if these are the conversations you're overhearing when you go to the doctor? This is not the description that I've been given by you all in the past. Why suddenly do we wish to pretend that it's the reality now? We've been through page after page of "We have socialized medicine because we hold basic human rights more dearly than you do!" Any chance we can call this thread a no bullshit zone from this point forward and talk scratch? Dwayne

It's called sarcasm... you people suck at having a sense of humor.

Darn shame we don't have any democrat offices around here. Would make for some interesting runs.

Sorry, but that was the most pointless and erroneous rant I've seen here in a long time. Too many calls for service for the number of units on the street? Yeah, someone's gonna have to wait. But when you send a unit to the call, and they literally say "fuck it, it's not worth the trouble", there is no way of justifying that. It's abandonment, plain and simple. Both civil and criminal penalties should apply here. Patches should be pulled, not just jobs. And heads should roll at the top too. This is WORSE than what DCFD bit the big one over. DCFD was just plain incompetent. These guys and gals are worse than incompetent. They're apathetic.

Check this out. The only Jew left on Earth who didn't get the memo that life isn't fair. http://www.ems1.com/communications-dispatch/articles/773706-4-Pa-paramedics-suspended-over-snowstorm-death/ 4 Pa. paramedics suspended over snowstorm death Responders at Tuesday's meeting said the focus should be on the city's emergency response system, not on the paramedics WTAE PITTSBURGH — Four Pittsburgh paramedics will be suspended without pay for at least three days and some for longer, even though an investigation found that they did not violate any state emergency laws in the hours leading up to the death of a Hazelwood man after the 20-inch snowfall on Feb. 5 and 6. The situation became heated when more than 20 paramedics went to Pittsburgh City Council on Tuesday to speak on behalf of colleagues who are facing disciplinary action by the city. Channel 4 Action News' Shannon Perrine reported that at one point during the morning meeting, police had to separate a paramedic and the head of the city's firefighter's union. The exact nature of the argument is not clear. Tony Weinmann, president of the Fraternal Association of Professional Paramedics, said Monday that the city notified two paramedics of pending discipline in connection with Curtis Mitchell's death. "We don't believe our people should be disciplined. This was a system failure and just to blame the paramedics is totally unfair," said Weinmann. Paramedics at the meeting said the focus should be on the city's emergency response system and not on the paramedics themselves. "Two studies exonerated the paramedics. The wife of Curtis Mitchell herself thinks the paramedics are being scapegoated," said paramedic Megan Hart. The city announced what action they would take against the paramedics at a news conference on Tuesday afternoon. The Pennsylvania Department of Health exonerated the paramedics of any wrongdoing, but that ruling seems to carry little weight with city officials. “The bottom line is, we do think the paramedics should have gotten out of their vehicle and assisted Curtis Mitchell in a more effective way and help prevent him from passing away,” Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said last week. Mitchell died on the morning of Sunday, Feb. 7, after a near-record snow total was dumped on the city by a storm that began on the evening of Feb. 5 and continued into the afternoon of Feb. 6. His longtime partner, Sharon Edge, said that they called 911 when Mitchell started having abdominal pains and was unable to walk. Records show 10 calls were placed to 911 since 2 a.m. on Feb. 6, and ambulances were unable to access the snow-covered street where Mitchell lived until after 8 a.m. on Feb. 7, when he was already dead. "That was my best friend. We did everything together, and without him being around, it's hard for me to pay bills and things like that because he's not here to help," said Edge. The paramedics' union criticized city leaders on Saturday, saying, "It is quite obvious prior to this incident that the city was ill-prepared for this snow disaster. The administrators in charge of the public's safety did not put the employees of the city of Pittsburgh in a position to carry out their responsibilities in an effective manner." "Each time the call backs were made, the call was canceled and those units returned back service," said Weinmann. Edge, told WTAE Channel 4 Action News that she didn't think the two paramedics should lose their jobs. "I think they used them as a scapegoat. I don't want them to get fired because that wouldn't be right, and Curtis wouldn't have wanted that," said Edge. The state Department of Health said paramedics responding to Mitchell’s calls acted according to a list of protocols detailed in Act 45 of the EMS code and did not violate state law. On Friday, Ravenstahl reiterated that the city has its own rules. “When you look at the state's requirements that nothing was done wrong, we feel differently,” said Ravenstahl. “But one thing that's important to understand is that we have higher standards -- in terms of what we expect from our paramedics here in Pittsburgh -- than what the state requires.” Ravenstahl has not said what those higher standards are. “We'll disclose that at the time when we make an announcement. It's not [public disclosure] at this time. We will make it available,” Huss said on Friday.

Phil makes a good point here, actually. Not sure whether I would have been quite so blunt...but nevertheless.... MedCom is a way of avoiding responsibility. I'm not even really sure why, either. The people who hang around here seem to be pretty knowledgeable and committed. I'm sure most of you are more than up to the job of critical thinking in an acute situation. You don't need anyone to hald your hand for you. I can't help but wonder (genuinely wonder - this is NOT intended to be an inflammatory comment) whether our US colleagues have so gotten used to being told that they are at the bottom of the chain that they have started believing it themselves? I agree with Phil and Kiwi - MedCom is a cop out. WM

No point in avoiding the issue at heart really mate, one thing the Kiwi's and Australians do quite well is call a spade a spade. I think medical control in the US is a joint product of the education and legal inadequacies of thier system. That and theyve been using it for so long as you touch on below WM, it's just standard. I am sure there are some who advocate for medical control because it keeps education standards low and means that the minimally educated can never get into a situation where they exceed scope of education because oh well they can just call the doctor and ask him. I would say that's about right. As I've said before, that big green bag I carry only has a limited number of tricks that can be pulled out of it. Nobody can yet give me a good example of when online medical consultation would prove clinically beneficial. To that end I know my scope of practice very well, it's not hard if you are well educated, well read and keep ontop of the ball so I don't see any need why Ambulance should be ringing up the doctor for something novelle.

I don't condone acts of violence, but I'm so frustrated that it is easy to celebrate this. Gotta do something to make these idiots actually represent us and not their own special interests. It was times like this that started the revolutionary war and frankly I think it's time to revolt. What do these guys expect when they act in direct defiance of the will of the people that they're supposed to be representing? The majority spoke in overwhelming numbers and they just flipped us all the bird. I've never been so angry in politics in my whole life and it's going to get worse. Next their going to give amnesty to illegal aliens and take over the banking systems...we HAVE to stop this crap! By the way, Obama has done more damage to this country in one year then Bush did in all his tenure. And, Bush is no longer in power so it's time to stop blaming him. I was no fan of Bush, but Obama is destroying the American way of life.

1st no apology as 1. No proof he is who he claims. 2. No proof he is telling the truth if he is who he claims, just his word vs someone else's word, odds are truth is more in the middle. 2nd we should learn from this, even if it is true what he said, and avoid certain actions and sites. Never post anything that identifies you being at work or even who you work for. Most companies do have policies against doing anything that reflects on the company. So in this case even by what is written by misspelled name person claiming to be the individual in question you could tell they were in an ambulance and so everyone that knows this person would associate his actions with his service even if no service name were seen. If you are the person I hope you learn and move forward.