dahlio

First thing I would do would be to explain to her, if possible, why calling 911 for a taxi is not the proper use of the system. If she comes more and more agitated, and demands she goes, I'll call police to take care of it. Playing the guilt trip is also an option. Telling her that someone could die while you're taking her to the hospital, and the ambulance won't get there on time. I remember one call that we had to do that on, where she wouldn't sign the RMA, and there was no one else there. The guilt thing usually works, and if it doesn't, then maybe there is something wrong with them...mentally.

That's nice that you can take up two lanes. As nice as I said the cops are around me, they still don't want to block traffic for an unnecessary lane. This makes it a real pain in the butt when it comes to grabbing stuff on the side of the rig, such as Boards, Collars, and Head Blocks. We have reflective vests in or ambulances which I take full advantage of, just because it's more EMS personal who get hurt at the scene of an MVC.

Same here. In face a lot of ambulance's don't even carry them any more. The scoop stretcher, I've never used, and I've only ever used the KED twice. As for the lights, I play with them on the way back from the call, but that's about it.

Pretend like that woman did not tell you she is an illegal citizen in the US, and transport. If the border control says something, claim you didn't know. Not the most ethical thing in the world, but morally, I think it would be alright.

They added the tax...

I didn't pay a dime for my classes, but if I did, it would have cost me 550 bucks. Book was included, and you needed CPR as a pre-req. I probably spent 200 including a BP/Steth, Gas, and food.

Be honest, or even ask your insurance company if it's still on record. I'd rather be up front, then to let my employer find out the hard way. Either way, good luck, and a minior accident shouldn't hurt you too much.

That sounds like an actual useful tradition. You get some learning and experiance, and you get to tuff it out in the ghetto. Too bad there is no ghetto where I'm from.

Well, When I went for the training, there was anat/phys, and what the epi does. So in a way, we learned a bit more. There are no contraindications for an epi, at least, thats what we were told, so it's hard to screw that up. In my opinion, I think it's a great idea. The wider the scope of practice for a Basic, the better, as long as we have been trained. There have been talks of also putting albuterol on BLS ambulances in NJ. Whether or not they will institue On-Line Medical Control is another issue, since everything is standing order for BLS in NJ, but the wider the scope, the potential for better care. Notice I used potential.

Yeah, problem is we have an old building, and it wouldn't be worth putting in a temp. control system (cost wise).

hahaha, it's good to know that someone has a sense of humor.

I won't enter any scene that I consdier harmful without law enforcement. Luckily, I live in a great town, with some great cops. We have at least one patrol car on each call, which is great to have. Once we get there, they typically leave, but then can be quite helpful. (yes, im a spoiled one)

In, Nj, Epi's are starting to show up on rigs. You need a training class, and a medical director. Our volly dept. just had the training for it, which I attended. It was pretty much a class on the signs of anaphylactic shock, not actually administering the epi. They said you should remember that from assisting, when you took your inital emt class. The problem is keeping them at room temperature, which we are buying mini fridges for on our rigs. When is NJ going to get Glucagon? (going off on a tangant)

I'm also a big fan of ADC (American Diagnostic Corp.). I like their 609 model, and it runs about 20 bucks. I plan on buying one, but I've used a friends, and one of the ambulance's jump bags have one. I've been able to hear everything with these.

Definitly, along with the names of the officers, and their badge numbers. If something happens, they were the ones being negligent. Before doing that however, I would definitly call HQ and try to explain the situation to someone who could pull resourses...

Sassafras, I wish you luck. Last year this time, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my life. I'm a hands on type of guy. I work at a camp, and I don't even consider it work, since it's all hands on. I realized that I could have a life, where I would have a constant hands on experience. I don't want to work in a cubicle all my life. EMS provides me with an opportunity to have something new everyday. Everytime my duty shift comes around, I'm excited. Considering I've been doing this about 6 months now, I can say that I still have that feeling, and hope to have that when I'm going on a shift 10 years from now. Every day is different in EMS, which is why I think I will never burn out. I do know however, that I am very young, both in age, and my career, and that things can sure change. I see on this forum of people talking about burn out, and I truly hope that will never be me. I'm sure I am also overlooking many factors to burn out, but I do never hope I get burnt out.

Hi, I'm Andrew, still a kid. I'm just finishing up EMT-B class, hope to take the test in a couple weeks. I've been actively riding for my vol. squad. I live in central NJ, right outside of Princeton. I hope to enter a paramedic program in Jersey City in September `08. I'm also finishing up high school, and have learned a vast amount of stuff from these forums so far. I never really formally introduced myself, and saw this as a good oppurtunity. Anyway, I hope to learn much more from these forums, and contribute whatever I know. See yall around.

I know theres a manual override, but it's a pain in the neck to use it. Expecially if you have one call after the next. We're usually good about changing the battery, but we don't keep a spare in the ambulance.

I've used the new stryker power cot, and think it can be quite helpful. Not just for knee and back injuries, but for pure convience. You don't have to worry about moving the ER bed up and down, instead, it's a push of a button right at your finger tips. No more trying to figure out how the ER bed works. Only down side is that it's a pain in the neck if your battery runs out...

There's no such thing in NJ of a non-hosipital-based MICU anyway, so I would think they all pay around what mediccjh said.

I believe the backboard ride is the biggest tradition. I remember months ago when I went for that ride. It makes you understand kind of what the patient is going through.

Fire Stand By... Released by Fire Command. Terribly exciting... :roll:

Apart from being a student, and also wanting eventually go in to an EMS career, I work at the local library (as sad as that is) for some spare change. I also work at a Park's and Recreation Dept. where I'll help with the camp they run, and all that. On top of that, I vol. at my first aid squad, and would like to continue the rest of my life vol. there, along with any job in EMS.

Study the Skill Sheets. I never had a problem doing the sit down tests, but when it comes to the actually skills, I tense up. See if you can stay after with an instructor, or can study with other classmates. Good luck on your test! As messed up as New Jersey EMS is as a whole, I think that's one thing that they got right. Two basic levels of training. This provides for good reciprocity to other states, as well as clear cut scopes of practice. This way you can't say, oh he's an EMT- Intermediate, and say, well, he's got IV training, why not just let him push medic drugs too. There is too close of a relationship between each specific certification. If you want that, why not have EMT 1, through EMT 10. 10 being the best :roll: . I like the idea of the two, clear cut. Also, I like Emoticons :wav:

BS calls are common, such as a drunk I once had. Coming home from that call, we get flagged down for a Bike vs. Car, which was an intense call. It's all about that one exciting call that makes it all worth it. Yeah, you're gonna have to take BS calls, but when someone really needs help, it feels good, and really gets your adrenalin running.