lfdcaptain

I can't, but that isn't going to stop me from trying. Its not fair to the citizens that I serve, and will serve.

[/font:1a8272d799] This warrants some pondering....... will respond soon. Have a safe day!

[/font:2196f7d245] Dustdevil, as I expressed in an earlier post, please forgive my newness to this arena. My reaction and subsequent communication, was "knee-jerk" at best and an ineffective attempt to defend a system, (Fire/EMT), that I firmly believe in. This is your arena and I reacted badly. I've been a Fire/EMT for a LONG time and I have never experienced the levels animosity that I perceived reading some of the posts in this forum. To be totally honest, I took it personally. In my career I've taken great pride in the the competence levels of my personnel as well a maintaining a training and working relationship with the EMS side. I haven't experienced Fire trying to put Professional EMS out of business but if you say it exists I believe you. I have experienced second-guessing, posturing, and bad-mouthing, (in both directions), on occasion but I would try to make a point of addressing any of those issues as soon as possible, in a effort to maintain our working relationship. I don't have the answers or solutions to the issues that you and others have expressed, but I can tell you that, in my experience, my "firemonkeys"welcome the arrival of the ambulance personnel on scene. Any Firefighter that's worth-a-shit will appreciate the value of any trained and competent EMS resource. I would have hoped that the feeling would have been mutual. I don't quite understand the expressed difference in skill or competence levels between Fire and Ambulance EMTs. I thought we all received the same training and passed the same National Registry exam. If those on this forum are experiencing poor Fire/EMT performance then that issue should be challenged and presented formally. There's no doubt we could all point fingers and trade tales of perceived malpractice or negligence on both sides, but there is no excuse for poor patient care from anyone. As a Training Officer, I posted a sign in my office that stated: "Mediocre is NOT an Acceptable Level of Service". I firmly believe that but I will not accept that mediocre only exists on the Fire side. Here's my bottom line on EMS. EMS to me is similar to CPR in that, the critical factor is often the time to patient contact and administration of care. And to be absolutely-totally honest with you, assuming that all responders are competent, that's all I care about. (I will not argue the competence of responders because, from experience, it can be argued BOTH ways) If my wife or sons will have a better chance of survival because the first arriving unit capable of rendering emergency medical care happens to be a fire engine, then that service will get my vote every time. If it's an ambulance, that's fine too, but I will not support putting lives in jeopardy for some of the reasons that I've read on this forum. I'll admit that I haven't read every post but so far the gist of what I've read seems to suggest that: 1. the firemonkeys (or what-ever) are taking our jobs or trying to put us out of business 2. the firemonkeys should just do fire and rescue 3. the fire monkeys can't be as skilled in EMS as we are I haven't read a solution yet (realistic or otherwise) that would guarantee the same EMS to contact times with the elimination of Fire/EMS. I promise to read and try to understand any response to this rambling attempt at clarity. If this is just a place to bitch, that's cool, but I can't accept that this is all there is or will be. I've tried to be respectful in this post, in YOUR forum, and would appreciate the same in any response. Dustdevil, just as a side note, I don't consider the term Professional EMT an oxymoron. I respect the position and the fact that some certified EMTs are not employed as such. I have EMTs on staff that make a living as Professionals. Sincerely, Andy

[/font:3cbdd2cd43] Not Bitter????? Bull! Nicely written, but kind of the response I imagined from your first post. Hope you can fix the things that piss you off. Meanwhile I'll do my part to improve relationships where I can. Bye

[/font:090c5146e9] Thanks for the understanding. I too look forward to closing the gap. Niftymedi911... thanks for your input. I can't wait to visit Florida again.

[/font:446b82a81e] Forgive my newness. I AM passionate about the service we ALL provide and to not deal well with those who denigrate the efforts, training and skills of others on the same team. I'll try to do better. To answer Eydawn: 30 years professional Firefighter/EMT, (Captain - B.C. - Retired), currently managing an EMT program in Santa Barbara County California. I brought EMT / Expanded Scope to my department as part of a pilot program for the county and the area now enjoys the benefits of a fully functioning program. California State Instructor: Extrication, PWC Rescue, Low Angle Rescue, Fire Control III 25 year instructor @ Allan Hancock College Fire Academy Auto Extrication Instructor @ Allan Hancock Advanced EMS Academy My name is Andy

[/font:ccee29e67d] Don't take this wrong but you need to get out more. There is a lot more your out there than what you have experienced in your wilderness. There are actually very competent Fire/EMS personnel, that have successfully completed the same EMT training program as you, passes the same National Registry exam as you, and in several instances experienced and dealt with much more misery and trauma than you could imagine. Open your mind a bit and you will realize that we're all on the same team with the same public service goals.

[/font:d7d57f61dd] WHAT THE...... Oh.. Indiana...that's why. Nice one

[/font:51678c88ff] Oh you poor misguided young EMT. Two quick points: 1: If your motivation is money GET ANOTHER JOB! 2: If the first one on the scene of one of your loved one's life-threatening medical emergency is a Firefighter, you better pray that Firefighter has EMS skills! OK one more point...... if you are inferring that the only good EMTs ride in Ambulances you are DEAD WRONG and living in some egotistical. self-importance based wilderness!

[/font:47818efe08] OOOOO - Bitter! Sounds like someone that's been turned down by more than one Fire Department, and is now trying to aggravate and perpetuate one of the biggest detriments to professional Emergency Medical service delivery, the relationship between Fire EMS and Private EMS. If this relationship between the two services continues to SUCK, it will probably be largely because of attitudes and posts like this, and from the looks of your little poll you have quite a following. That's sad. I have read your post several times trying to determine what drives you to spew such BULL, and to encourage others to follow. If all you run is surface street, one-at-a-time medical calls and transports, and you have enough staffing and equipment to handle the increasing demand for service, then I think I could understand your relatively narrow perspective. As I'm certain that you live in the real world, (yes I've seen your pictures), I would hope that you are intelligent enough to realize that no single service can handle the entire load. Do you REALLY believe, and encourage others to believe, that "Fire should get out of the EMT business altogether"? If that's the case I'm sure you have a wonderful plan that will provide medical assistance in situations that are inherently manpower intensive, hazardous, or that require technical training and equipment, such as over-the-side rescue, confined space rescue, MCI incidents, or vehicle entrapment rescue using strictly Ambulance personnel. Maybe your plan is to provide the additional technical training, the required PPE, and VERY large ambulances to carry all of the necessary equipment. (heck, all you would need then is a water tank and some hose and you would have a fire engine!) Consider this; the safety needs of several jurisdictions are met PRIMARILY by FIRE/EMS, including transport, without the NEED for a private ambulance service. Can you think of a jurisdiction that can get by with just private EMS and that doesn't NEED Fire protection? My intent is not to demean the contribution of ANY EMS provider. I understand and respect that if we are to provide the highest levels of service possible, we will need the skill, equipment, and capabilities of ALL trained EMS personnel. In my 30 years of professional EMT experience I can't tell you how many times the administration of lifesaving care, 1-6 minutes before the arrival of an ambulance, has made the difference. I would NEVER be so full of myself to advocate that we restrict the ability to provide such care to 1 provider. If you're just bitter and using this post to vent then fine, but let that fact be known so that we can all understand the reasons behind your ire. If I interpreted your post incorrectly I apologize and look forward to clarification Just my 2 cents 8)