Christopher.Collins

Hello old friends and new members. As most of you know Ive been rather busy latley with a divorce, move and other things related to starting over. Now that I have finally left the wife, going back to school is finally an option. Heres where I need you guys, see Im the kind of person who sometimes dives into some things instead of researching it first. Not to mention I have never really looked much into going back to school, so this experience is new all together. Because of convinent location, being specialized in healthcare trades I have looked at Concorde Career College in Memphis, TN. I am very interested in their Assosiates of Science in Respritory Therapy program. This school has several campus's between here, CO, FL, TX, OR, MO and also here in TN. Here is their website: http://concorde.edu/ if anyone cares to look. While speaking with my Battalion Cheif he told me that they are known to be rather overpriced because it is a private (for profit) school. I trust his word, he is very intelligent and good with money. Other than that though I really dont have any other unbiased opinions. I have met with the school several times and like what I see, they arnt trying to sell themselves, in fact have been quite honest with me. My only gripe is it does appear to be one of thoes tech schools generally geared towards thoes who havnt graduated high school though. So heres some questions: 1) Looking at the tuition for the AS of Applied Science in Respritory Therapy the total tuition including registration, books, uniforms, physical and taxes is $25,038.95 Any idea if this is reasonable? Is there any one place I can look to find out a mean cost for such programs without checking each indavidual school? 2) What does it mean for a school to be accredited? Looking at job descriptions these days that word follows any college under qualifications. I asked the admissions representative this and wasnt pleased with her answer. She pretty much said, "how could a school teach a course if it isnt accredited?" Thats really the only red flag Ive got so far. Any advice and feedback from CRTs would be greatly appreciated. In case anyone is wondering why I dont consider community college... the one closest to me has a bad reputation. I was told to avoid it even for something as simple as getting my IV upgrade. THANKS AS ALWAYS AND STAY SAFE!

Errr, any of these fictional shows can go any way. Hell Id like Rescue Me more if it didnt make us all look like a bunch of sex crazed jerks. I was excited by the title of the post untill I watched the preview. I voted both because shows like this do raise awareness and interest in the real world of what they portray. Unfortunatley its a double edged sword as people take on careers and quickly burn out when they realize its not what they expected. A good example is CSI: Crime Scene Investigation, after its premere alot of people started taking interest in forensics and even going to school for it, and found out the hard way that CSI's are not cops in the way they show portrays them. Theres information and statistics out there to back up what Im saying but Im not ganna look right now sorry. So yea, in some ways shows like this can be good PR... but in other ways its bad. What ever happened to GOOD TV like Paramedics or Trauma: Life in the ER? There is plenty of real life medical shows today, including that 911 Bronx or whatever its called, so it cant be confidentiality reasons.

Hello old freinds and new members to The City... Its been quite a while since I have posted here and alot has changed. Many of you know that I was going through a rough patch with my mother-in-law being sick and then eventually passing away last year. Since then my wife and I moved out of her family home for multiple reasons, some of which put a strain on the relationship. Anyways we are in the process of getting a divorce now... it will be quick and painless as theres nothing to fight over or that one wants from the other. Frankly I couldnt be happier. I have moved to Collierville, TN and got in with a very well run and progressive volunteer fire agency (for obvious reasons company name shall be left anonymous). I am currently working on gaining resciprocity for my EMT-B and looking to upgrade to EMT-IV at the same time. The job search is a bit rough and I may wind up having to take a McJob for now but once I get my TN EMT I should be ok. Im sure Renee thinks Im just a miserable s.o.b as she has always seen me to be... I guess she dosnt realize just how much it was her that dragged me down because Im really happy with the changes Im making without her. I hope that your all well and staying safe on the job. Look forward to catching up in the forums. Untill then take care. Chris

Sleep Over by Michael Jackson later re-released as a pop-up book brought to you by the publishers of the hit OJ Simpson childrens book, How to be Bad and Get Away With It

This is a great site and company. They are based in Old Saybrook, CT which is a neighbor to my hometown. The owner and his staff are all Firefighters and EMS'ers that know the demands of what we do. Very nice people and very proffesional. Actually rumor has it the company was started out of my former chiefs home garage.

They have a choice? :twisted: I want the company offering the full package deal, not just the one that brings them to the hospital and leaves. Can you guys respond to cardiac arrests and possible untimlies with a purple light and siren? Sorry, bad humor lol

Wow, I signed on just because I read this and had to comment. They arnt biased against sexual orientation but kids should only be allowed to straight couples... FAIL!!! These are likley the same type of people that say they arnt racist, they just grew up in a time and place when and where it was more "acceptable." I do agree though, theres probably much more to the story.

Ive been trying to return to strictly EMS for almost a year. Alot of agencies are hiring EMTs like we are going out of style. I have a great resume and good interview skills... but something is wrong and no one will hire me. I have a clean record both driving and crimminal. And I dont think that Im underqualified or just being chosen last as these companies are still hiring after Im turned away. I dont care if they pay me $8 an hour when the average starting here is $12-13 with a max of $14-15, I just want back in.

Eric, wow I wouldnt take things so personally. Im a member of a BLS fire based EMS service and Im not getting all pi$$y when people call out fire service providing EMS, even if they are arrogant statements. Yea so what Im only BLS but regardless we all have the same goal, just different ways of accomplishing it. You have every right to defend your point of veiw and opinion but remember this... not everyone operates the same way your agency does. I go into some of the cities around my area and see a whole fire battalion respond to a diff breather or fall (without need of technical rescue). All I can think of is how much danger it puts pedestrians and civillian traffic in for so much unnessecarry response. And yes there is a number of members here that may not like fire having involvment in EMS... but alot of people just think its rediculous to send a large heavy peice of equipment that dosnt even have transport capabilities to a "routine" medical or trauma. Any vehicle is dangerous sure... so is my bicycle but the big one thats mostly carrying equipment not even nessecarry to the call will hit harder and take more to stop. Thats even with responsible drivers. Thats also needless to say that alot (IN FAIRNESS NOT ALL) of firefighters become medics because its in the job requirements for MANY fire departments today. I personally have no problem with fire doing EMS care... I have a problem with people who take on a huge responsability and do it just cuz they have to. There are alot of compitent fire medics out there... but there are also alot of people who want to be firefighters becoming medics just for that big job. Feel free to comment but you dont need to get all defensive.

Ummmm... while I have made a vow to myself to try and avoid drama in the year 2009, I gatta know what the hell I missed?

In Connecticut on a state level no. Driver training of course is given by volly and paid companies alike. Most commercial services and some others will do an EVOC/CEVO course but its not mandated by state. I have taken EVOC for Type II and Type III ambulances and also have my Class B CDL.

Probably already mentioned somehwere but I feel like crap and am currently too lazy to check... Dont some companies like Rural Metro and Southwest Ambulance have proffesional drivers that do that, just drive? My uncle is constantly asking me to move out to Tennesee and saying I could take a job doing that untill I get my state certifications.

I volunteer! I need some change in my life, begining with location and people.

Well part of the point is what to do when there isnt enough people to staff ambulances or enough money to buy more ambulances... or buy and staff ambulances, etc. Say you can afford to hire more people but not buy more ambulances, or fuel and maintain x ammount on the road at a time. Would you rather have FIREFIGHTER/medics or an educated medics whos one and only job is patient care? Im willing to make a safe bet it cost more to outfit your Ford Escort with one medic and nessecarry equipment than it does a Type-II rig with 1 medic and 1 EMT. Im not saying its the best solution. Regardless of who your first responder is, they wont get the patient to the hospital without an ambulance. But its less expensive and still gets care to the patient sooner than later.

Good point Hells Bells, in terms of how to address that issue. The problem with first responders in general though is this... yes they get care to the patients faster and thats a great thing, but even the ones who need it dont get to the hospital any faster. For the very reasons quoted, that we are busy waiting to hand off care. Regardless of an EMS fly car or an FD R1... we need to address turnover rates as much as we do anything else. We may not be able to force a hospital to make changes and face it, we cant always predict busy days, then factor in the time it takes to finish your paperwork (not always applicable). One downfall I face as an EMT personally is that I take too much time on paperwork. I am a very detail oriented person and write all reports as if they were going to court. So in other words it takes me a little time. The state of Connecticut recently implimented that all ambulance services must use ePCRs (electronic PCRs). What advantages do I gain? Giving a very thorough verbal report to the hospital staff, I can finish my report after the call and then immediatley fax or email it to them when Im done. I can run 3 or 4 runs back to back and so long as the hospital has what info they need and I have my signatures I can stay on the run. I dont even need to be at the hospital to give them a copy. Usually I take notes during the call and hand them to the recieving staff, so even I forget to tell them or they miss something they still have it.

Thanks again for the backup Arizona. Hell I used to work for Whelen Engineering and we never put out any weird junk like that. I could get the same effect of a mars light if I stick a flashlight in a fish bowl (fish and water included) and put it on my dashboard..... for not even 5% of the cost even :wink:

Thats called a roto-ray and its the most rediculous fu*king thing in the history of emergency lights. I hate them more than thoes stupid weeble-wobble halogeon lights... and oooh I hate thoes weeble-wobble things. Anyways that roto-ray if you dont know spins around really fast with the lights light. Fast enough that itd probably take your hand off. Its mounted at the average rearview mirror height to get the drivers attention... because as you know thats not the point of all the other forward facing lights. Funny thing is, they are just as effective as they are rediculous (when mounted at the right height). Ive seen idots with mini-versions mounted on cheifs SUVs and stuff.... tottally pointless.

Thats why God and St Florian gave REAL firemen the knowledge of tanker task forces, drafting and hose tenders... obviously these guys can afford it. And I see plenty of closed cab pump pannels that dont look like tow trucks. Not trying to be a douche, just a smart @$$ :twisted:

Ok so I do defend fire departments as BLS first responders. I have been a part of that category for nearly 5 years or so. As Ive said many times I do like having extra hands on a call (AS NEEDED) that "know" patient care. And I also defend FDs with ambulances as well. My issue is this... you do not need a battalion chief, ladder truck and/or engine and ambulance responding from one station or multiple for a "routine" diff breather or fall... thats rediculous. Fortunatley any station I have ever been a member of rolls its light rescue (if R1) or ONLY its ambulance if applicable. Is there an MVA? By all means roll the whole station safley if you please, even if its a fender bender on the highway cuz I could use the barricade. But there is nothing that your going to have on your truck (aside from a stokes basket or BIG scene lights) that I dont already have in my ambulance. When I was about 8 or 9 my best friends father commited suicide... I was outside chillin in the paramedics car cuz she was tottally cool like that. I was young and naieve but growing up in a fire/ems family knew who did what... what I could never figure out even at that age was why the hell they sent a tiller ladder truck for a man who hung him self from an average homes ceiling height. I coulda cut the bastard down myself and I was a child.

I gatcha Dust, thanks. I had an idea you were going that way but wasnt posative. I agree with diazapams comment in thoes regards also, that even with that some people will still pay. But I think I already answered that concern for myself. Yea that will happen, some would slip through the cracks, but not at a drastic level that it would keep fire based EMS in service. Since, well we're mostly blue collar people who dont have money coming out of our pores and living in a sh*tty economy. Overall I would think the people going for an AS as a paramedic would be a little more serious about the medical aspect. I have nothing against FD doing EMS mostly under two conditions... the Medic/s are on the ambulance. None of this annual rotating truck-ambulance stuff. Do it like FDNY, same company but Fire is Fire and EMS is EMS. Can medics with rescue experience be benneficial in various situations? Yea. But show me how its so important for the guy pulling a victim out of a smoke charged warhouse near flashover to start an IV and push narcs. That wont matter untill the vic is out of the building... where, oh look at this whats that an ambulance! FD as first responders, Im all for it 100% if they know what they are doing. I once had a FF/MRT show a guy how to use an epi-pen, yea he did it backwards and I had to intervine while trying not to laugh. But an extra set of hands that knows what the patient needs when there is no available EMS backup is always helpful. The second condition is none of this endangering others by sending a whole battalion to one freakin fall from a standing position type call. I see it happen alot. Theres difference between manpower and overkill.

Lets face it, the requirements (at least in Connecticut) to get a drivers license can be a joke. I got my CDL last year and it was a peice of cake... the pre-trip inspection was more demanding than driving the damn thing. As far as tanker and hazmat endorsements? Quick backround check take a written test and here you go!!! No need to demonstrate that you can drive a vehicle with an easily displacable load. Hell, I think for the driving test you should be driving with a load. Yea big deal you can drive an empty tractor trailer... its going to handle alot differently than a full one. I took my test in a dump truck, it felt like driving a really big ambulance but if I ever drove one proffesionally, Im not ganna know how it will handle untill Im already on the road. As far as comments that people like my mom or aunt would say, "I always trust truck divers, they are the safest on the road." Ummmm yea ok just because you drive something so much bigger dosnt mean your compitent at it. Let alone safe.

I agree with one level of paramedic. But I dont understand how that would keep fire doing their thing? Sure you can elevate standards and education, and you can kick out people who "want" to be medics to become a firefighter or who appear to have that demanor... but regardless how would that erradicate fire from providing advanced medical care? We already know that there are plenty out there "willing" to further their "education" for the career that want... but some people are serious about it even if they are firefighters and if you start eliminating all firefighters from medic classes itll just make one big mess of biasedness. Im not saying your idea wouldnt work... just curious to hear more thoughts. I also agree with your license/certification being the same. Im an EMT-B. I was once trained and certified to use combitube and though I am not anymore I was still an EMT-B. In a hospital setting I can be trained to perform EKGs and phlebotomy without certification... but Im still an EMT-B. Why? Because thoes things I may be able to do one place but not another. Being an EMT is more a pre-requisite than it is anything. Yes additional certifications may expand upon your knowledge and skill base, but that dosnt make you better than the next EMT.

My EVOC class wasnt technically a weekend. Ok so it was a couple hours of lecture one day and driving the next day. But the driving technically wasnt even a day long. Pretty much you had your obstical course, you wernt timed and given as many times as you needed to pass it. It was an honor system, other students were allowed to ride with the student driving the course but were expected not to help or offer advice. The evaluators were outside watching. Then you just drove on the road with an evaluator untill they felt you were comfortable and operating the vehicle safley. So pretty much while hiring was contingient upon passing, but no one failed... and I think they said that maybe one person did fail in like 10 years or something. From there, driving was on the job training.

Perhaps they should treat our shuttles as they do Airforce One. Yea sure a shuttle is alot larger than a 747 especially if you include the SRBs and fuel tank... but theres no excuse to be strapping a group of people to hundreds of thousands of pounds of feul and multiple rockets then saying ooops we forgot to check an O-ring. Sure this isnt something that happens often and sometimes stuff happens after an inspection but theres really no excuse. The Appollo 1 astronauts? I mean an oxygen enriched environment, full of electronics and condensation... its really a no-brainer and in my personal opinion should have been even for 1967. They've got people that can think up all of these great gadgets but not a potentially obvious scenario?

Maybe its me, or maybe its just where I grew up... but I dont know many 10 year old boys that play with stuffed animals. I dont now and I didnt when I was that age. Perhaps thats a part of the kids temper problem?