Arctickat

I don't consider it a morale booster, but an expression of my appreciation: Summer BBQ, for staff and their families. I cook. I must be doing ok too because no one has gotten sick yet. Staff Christmas party with their families. Company buys gifts for every child, and employee. Also a gift exchange amongst all the adults and an annual bonus cheque for each employee. Houseboat available for staff use in British Columbia. Education Bursary available. Child Care services. Free refreshments in coffee room and ambulances. I'll usually buy supper for my partner on a call My company doesn't have an actual employee recognition program, but I do make sure at least one is nominated for recognition if deserving. Employees have a voice and are encouraged to offer suggestions to improve their work environment. It's a start.

I've learned over the decades that swallowing my pride and letting an aggressor believe that I am being submissive to his will tends to diffuse many situations. Even something like looking for the leader of a group and acknowledging the power he has over them can solve the problem. Saying something to him like, "Hey, this guy here is in really bad shape, but I'm worried about that group of guys over there, They look kinda threatening, Could you watch my back while I try to help this guy?" Lots of these guys can be manipulated to suit your needs....just maintain an awareness of whats going on and evac quickly.

Thing is, most often I've seen people consider the police to be a threat and become belligerent in their presence, we paramedics however are not threatening and usually find ourselves to be ignored and allowed to go about our business.

Ultimately, the decision as to whether the scene is safe is yours. If you feel there is no risk to you or your partner, then what are the LEOs going to do if they aren't there to stop you? They can give you a lecture, but you can't be charged with any offence that I'm familiar with. You just have to ask yourself if you're willing to face the repercussions if you make the wrong choice and your partner ends up dead.

Way to ruin my fun Kate....

What school are you attending?

Indeed he did, and if the homeowner and he hadn't been drinking buddies he'd probably have been upset too.

I don't see anyplace here that anyone stated that this makes all volunteers look bad, I'd prefer this didn't degrade into another Vollie bashing thread.

Understood, but that occurs less often in Canada. I understand though i didn't exactly clarify where I'm from.

DJDudley...How does it make EMS look bad? He's a fire monkey on a volunteer squad, not a medic. EMS here has no affiliation with Fire at all. Richard...He doesn't care and honestly has no concept that what he did was improper. Unfortunately, he is the higher up as well. He is the Fire Chief and has been for over 30 years. Since Fire protection is a municipal responsibility he is answerable only to the municipal government. Problem is, he's also the Mayor. To answer a PM on this: See above, a phone call to the local paper or the municipal govt is unlikely to be helpful. This is in a community of less than 1000 people, everyone knows everyone and relationships between drinking buddies is thicker than blood. The most disturbing thing about this town I live and work in is that I could make all the stink I want to and show all the evidence I have, but I'll be the one subjected to the hatred of the community for denouncing their beloved drunken Mayor and Fire Chief.

Doh!! Good call Mobey, I suppose I should be paying closer attention to this thread if i'm gonna comment in it. Edit: But then again, it worked now didn't it?

Wouldn't have to convince anyone here, Versed is recommended prior to cardioversion, so I could do both.

I just got more info on this...the discussion he had with the fire fighters before he walked into the house went something like this. Chief: "Why isn't anyone attacking the fire through here?" FF: "The floor is rotten and soft, we were afraid we'd fall through it." Chief: "Fair Enough."....Walks into house Chief exits the house. Deputy Chief: "What did you go in there for?" Chief: "No one checked the fridge!" Word has somehow gotten out regarding his antics...some people think it was quite an assholish move for him to risk himself and the Fire Fighters who would have to rescue him if he'd fallen through the floor.

30° C is plenty hot enough to cause heat related illnesses, especially if he was in an enclosed area high in the house.

Best of luck to you IowaMedic. I just personally can't fathom working for an organisation that considers a move from Paramedic to Hose Monkey to be a promotion. Then again, you'll probably understand why I think that way if you read my post about the Beer in Funny Stuff.

Just how does that differ from any other Monday morning for you?

You can do your part by supporting your local cathouse though.

You're partially correct. There are two types of Active rewarming. Essentially, Active Rewarming is the process of reversing hypothermia using artificially applied heat to warm the patient. Active Internal Rewarming is what you're describing...prehospitally, warmed IV solutions would be Active Internal Rewarming. This is reserved for severe hypothermia patients, usually below 30° C and unresponsive. Active External Rewarming is what we're more familiar with...warm blankets, hot packs in the pits and crotch, body to body contact are all examples. Passive rewarming is simply removing cold and wet clothing and putting on dry clothes. Edit; To add to Passive, removing the patient from the cold environment and changing clothes will reverse the hypothermia. Essentially, passive rewarming only works when the body still has the ability to thermoregulate. When the body gets to the point that Thermoregulation is no longer working, Active rewarming must take place. Remember, ambient room temps are 72°F (20°C) If the body is incapable of thermoregulation it will continue to cool to room temp rather than warm back up to normal body temps. A good indication that the body has lost the ability to thermoregulate is that the patient is no longer shivering. This typically occurs around 33°C. Honestly, I love how Hypothermia and Hyperthermia mirror one another like that.

None that I can recall Dwayne. There is indication for rapid cooling during severe heat stroke because of the potential for brain damage, but I can think of nothing requiring "rapid" rewarming, However, thawing a frostbitten body part requires immersion in water at 104°F or 40°C and lots of pain meds.

Trust me, if the video quality had been good enough to identify him and what he's carrying, you'd likely be watching this on TV now. Unfortunately there is nothing there that I would consider useful. I have considered quietly going to him and telling him I have the video, then demand he resign rather than have it become public, but I know he's call my bluff....ah well.

You're essentially correct. We need to rewarm an individual slowly to prevent cold extremty blood from circulating back to the warmer(comparatively) heart and causing it to fibrillate.

Volunteers wonder why they don't get the respect they deserve. It's yahoos like this one who ruin the reputation for the vollies who actually take their public trust seriously. Unfortunately, there is no organisation that can take this fire dept. to take with the exception of municipal govt. Anyone wanna take a guess who the Mayor of my fine town is?

Indication - Hypothermia Contraindication - Hyperthermia

I think I'll stop here before it gets carried away.