ambodriver

:closed: :closed: :closed: :closed: thread over and win~

Firefighter/EMT's work 24/48 in Chicago and make around 70/k a year with benefits and and pension. Medics are single role and work 24/72 with about the same pay and bennies. Privates services around chicago land pay about 10-15 $ hr with bad benefits and no pension

That;s pretty scary they let people go because of that. This is where unions can help people out. I assume you work for a private company? Good luck to ya man Also I agree with the others, don't not pay for any damage no matter what, that's just wrong.

Never understood volunteers, or why a community would not shell out cash to pay for medical professionals. It's quite sad really. I don't hear much about volunteer RNs and MD's...or volunteer hospitals for that matter. In my city volunteer fire/ems is unheard of.....This is a pro career, and we earn the money to prove it.

I wouldn't call that a bad career move, just a mistake.

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excellent post sir. thank you for confirming my initial thoughts...and also understanding the crews' judgment call w/o being snarky or condescending. I appreciate it.

This is an interesting view point and I did consider it. However, people go to the ER for non-emergent issues because they are ignorant. This is my view point formed by working in a high call volume system and also working in a trauma center ER in an inner city ghetto. I have for the most part stopped trying to educate people, as I see it as a lost cause and a waste of my breath. Most of these people will never get it and don't care to. You stubbed your toe 2 days ago? Ok lets go and get this run over with....

i think a lma/combitube would be more effective in these situations besides going straight for the cric. Especially where space and access might be an issue. That's just me though.

I have never done a digital intubation on anything but a dummy. I wouldn't see myself doing it--I'd rather throw a combitube in rather then lose my fingers in a entrapped person. Just my two cents.

IAFF did the Chicago Fire Department medics a lot of good. Both single role and engine based ALS. Not really sure about anywhere else though. What do all those AMR medics make around the country? 10-15$/hr or so I heard and no pension. Correct me if I'm wrong...The IAFF can do some good things such as help bargain contracts to ensure this can be a good paying career with excellent benefits.

i watched one episode of this show and found it boring..but that's just me. People here love to bash the show, but they seem to watch it A LOT. I'm sick of hearing the lame comments such "this show makes us look bad" blah blah. It's a TV show, and a boring one at that. Let it be, if ya don't like it, do what I did, and don't watch it!

I was on shift and got a cal @ 2 AM, honestly i didn't even think about it.

This is the most epic post I have ever seen on these forums. Your best bet would to take EMT class while still working your job, and do EMT work on the weekends/part time. Then get into Medic school. I wouldn't give up your job to be an EMT full time.

EMT B jobs are a dime a dozen. Have you tried looking up the companies in your area, or do I need to hold your hand to do that?? Mommmmm! More hotpockets!

Funny because after my post in this thread my "rep" went to negative something. Funny, the popularity contest. Another reason why this site can suck sometimes!

Be ready to be belittled and criticized for every tiny thing you may mention. The attitude here is "you are wrong, so we will trash you for it" no matter what. Ignore those people, some of us here are friendly and understand.

my lights are on my ambulance at work. My jeep is for driving me around, not sick/injured people

To answer your question, I am a single role medic, working in a firehouse. I am also part of the IAFF, and make a good salary with a pension. I have worked with guys w/20+ years on the job who love what they do. I have worked with guys with 5+ years on the job and hate it. Everyone in a high call volume areas will experience some burnout. But hey where else can you work 24 hours and be off for 72?? That time off w/my family is amazing. That 24 hours can be rough...but it's well worth it. I'm not sure about your area, but salaries vary by region. Try to find a municipality with good benefits and career people. And if you have to work for a private...find one that does 911 as opposed to IFT's. Good luck. I don't care WHO you are, the bullshit calls at 3 AM get to EVERYONE after awhile. Especially if you work in a ghetto/uneducated area...but then you really make a difference and you re-affirm the reasons you got into this job.

Is this really a big deal? In fact often I do the shopping for the firehouse in the ambo (risky move btw--potential to catch multiple runs and have firefighters go hungry..lol). These guys can cry a river all they want. Typically if the firefighters are cooking (which is most of the time) they will take a buggy out to the store with their gear so they can respond from the store). If they are returning from a call they sometimes take the engine out. Hell one time I called the engine out to a scene to relieve us of the groceries. This 'watchdog' sounds like a trouble maker if you ask me.

One thing I hate about EMS forums and really EMS in general is that everyone is a know-it-all. And thanks Dart

let it be noted the pt. had a smell of etoh. i don't know most of the details as i was not there thanks for the feedback You act like you were there? Was this you on the call? I did not provide much details....and there is more to the story. You guys got way off topic and started spouting off your mouths without knowing the full story. This topic was meant to discuss what I had posted about it...no to bash the crew based on the little information I gave. From what I understand the pt. had smelled of ETOH and was acting intoxicated, but was AAO X 3 With that being said thanks for the inoformative stuff that was posted by you and others on this topic.

1st this was not my mistake! My partner and I did not do this. The studies say elevated bgl's lead to higher morbidity, but how long would this non-diabetic pt.'s bgl stay elevated? Wouldn't his pancreas compensate? Remeber it was not originally elevated, he was just given an amp of D50 when his BGL was 183.

lol pretty funny