HellsBells

The service I work at has "Dynamic Deployment," we flex from station to station, its the same as curbside deployment, except we actually have stations where there is the expectation of higher call volumes, not just a dirty curb to park beside. Let me pose this question. If curbside deployment is so wonderful, why doesn't the Fire Dept get on board?

For those of you who have to stage, it will be interesting to see if the time comes when it is more cost effective to actually build proper stations for the Ambulances then it is to burn fuel from idling.

Assuming, that he went to the shooting range regularly, was a very good marksman, didn't panic, his aim wasn't impeded by the stampeding crowd, the maniac didn't shoot him first then yes only the crazy bastard would have died.

I have to agree, there is not really much honor in killing for sport. However, I have no problem with hunting for ones meal. In many ways its more humane killing wild game then something that was brought up in a pen or cage, destined to be the next McMeal. I think that all kids should experience killing and cleaning an animal, simply for the perspective of what it actually means to eat meat. Now, because it needs to be said, I have to ask... If this guy had a gun, how much more damage may he have done? I think its a lot more deadly to shoot into a crowd then to stab into one.

The jackets we are issued have reflective crests on the arms and back. Management even went one step further with our new issue jackets, they are bright yellow, with reflective lines down both arms and across the back. I've never seen anyone wear a vest on accident scenes.

yesss, a Bronx Tale. I love that scene, they kicked those bikers asses

Good point. The union really was expecting a substantial improvement over the city's offer when things went to binding arbitration. Looking back on it, maybe some members of the legislature put some pressure on the arbitrator to maintain the status quo. That way, when the province takes over they wont have to bring the rest of the province in line with a precedent of higher wages set in Calgary.

I think that the simplicity of the CT is overrated, there is significant damage that can be done to the larynx by jamming it in with too much force. As for LMA's our service uses them as a rescue airway, limited to paramedics only. I put in a few in my OR practicum and found them very easy to use in the hospital setting. I have yet to see one used prehospitally. However, I have heard word that we might be getting the King device soon. Which by all accounts seems to be superior to the LMA or CT.

thanks for the article. I understand where the Edmonton union rep was coming from. However, I think that the notion of striking as a bargaining tool is a specious argument at best. As was proven in Calgary this past year, when a service threatens to strike the government simply steps in, declares an emergency and makes it illegal to walkout. Judging by the terrible settlement we received from the city, I would say that it wasn't a particularly potent bargaining tool anyway.

Why can't you train everyone to read ecg's? Isn't that a Paramedics job? Hmm, I wonder if L.A. County is going to get rid of all their manual BP cuffs, and replace them with automated ones because " Obviously they can't train everyone to auscultate a Blood Pressure."

ERDoc, what is your opinion on using maxeran (Metoclopramide) for the treatment of migraines? I get the odd nasty migraine, and my doc has given me an Rx for maxeran, but I haven't had the need to try it yet.

What union reps have you been talking to about this? Its not the general impression that I'm getting. There are some emergency union meetings scheduled for next week, so hopefully that will bring some transparency to the issue. The level of care question is a good one. My cynical side says the government may try to push more BLS units onto services just to save money. Of course there will be more than a little PR backlash if they try to lower the level of care. It would be awesome if they mandated some form of ALS in all parts of the province.

It's all speculation at this point. Hopefully the province will see fit to reveal the details of its plan soon. In Calgary the view of things is a little more optimistic, I guess after being repeatedly boned by the city were willing to give someone else a chance ( risking of course an even bigger boning by the province). The biggest impact will be felt by the rural services, good or bad.

This should be interesting. Its about time that Alberta made EMS an essential service. Hopefully, this move will mean better wages and working conditions across the province.

Overall, it seems like the reporters in this story try to stick to the facts and remain somewhat objective. However, I take offense to the comment they make about the departments history, saying that they only managed to bring back one out of twenty cardiac arrests. Of course they make no mention of any of the patient's history pre-arrest, and simply use the stat to make them look bad.

Well, dpemsia, and James_ffemt you should both lighten up a touch, what you call bashing I see as good natured teasing. Furthermore, I believe that your original question was answered, as a couple of people gave quite a few links to sites that might answer your query. Personally, I also think that your first post was unintentionally hilarious and gave your would be detractors plenty of ammunition for ridicule ( whether deserved or not). Perhaps in the future you should be more clear, i.e. while I was ordering a light bar for my company's bush buggy..., then there wont be as many hurt feelings. Hopefully you will stay here and read other post on the site, because there really is some good quality debate and information available on EMT city.

I have pretty much the same question as paramedicmike, How did your supervisor know for sure that he caused this childs spinal damage?

I agree, but this guy simply didn't.

Thats a good question. It is really quite a vague article, as it doesn't describe what was said. There is just some allusion made to a "racial slur," which really leaves things open for interpretation in our politically correct society. However, putting this particular situation to the the side, and asking the question of racists and bigots in general, I would say that yes it would have some affect on patient care. I think that any bias or prejudgement you have changes the way you treat people. Think of the Crackheads, Homeless, and Criminal calls that we respond to, do our preconceived notions, at times effect the way they are treated by EMS? I say they do.

Maybe, but it doesnt matter. I just don't understand why someone would want to take so much credit for doing so little.

I really didn't intend for this to be a Fire Fighter bashing thread. However, I think those of you here who are fire fighters should be able to see the problem. Anyone who reads the article can easily tell that this guy didn't single handedly run this call. So why does he get all the credit for it? Furthermore, why does he ham it up on the front page of the paper, knowing full well he played only a small role?

Yeah, I'm inclined to agree, I think it was just meant as a feel good mothers day story. I'm curious however as to how the reporters even got wind of the story in the first place. Was it phoned in anonymousl perhaps?

Ok, I hate to sound petty, but I was a little annoyed by this article. It was on the front page of the daily, the headline reading "FIREFIGHTER DELIVERS BABY" with a picture of the smiling firefighter holding a bouquet of flowers. According to the story the Firefighter had to perform the difficult task of touching the patients knee and telling her to breathe. To give the newspaper credit, they at least made a passing mention of Paramedics being involved; apparently they were doing their "job" (whatever that is) when this rookie walked in and saved the day.

Hmm, interesting. I've applied for both Augustana and Portage, I have interviews with both later in the summer. I've heard good things about both programs, but I have also heard some smack about them as well. The supervisor from my previous job is a graduate of Augustana, and he has nothing but praise for the program. However, I noticed on the CMA website(http://www.cma.ca/index.cfm/ci_id/50602/la_id/1.htm) that Augustana's CMA accreditation expires at the end of this year. I've also been informed that the program is moving out from the University of Alberta's umbrella and being taken over by Lakeland College in 2010. While this won't effect me if I start this year, I wonder why it is going from a University run program to one run by a community college. Mobey, maybe you have more input or knowledge on this subject then me. I do however have to admit that I'm really not all that pumped about a group canoe trip.

Well, finished the ITLS course this weekend (as if any of you care). It was pretty damn easy. However it was a fairly interesting course, there were a couple Canadian Forces Medics, a STARS paramedic, and an Emergency Doc as teachers for the course. I found it to be quite informative, and there was a lot of discussion about new trends in trauma management, i.e. permissive hypotension, alternate airway devices- the king LT (I know its been discussed here in the past, but its the first time I've actually seen one), and the OPALS research study from Ontario.