bajamedic

Online is the way to go. The US has a shortage of EMS Providers. When, When when when say it again when a disaster happens we will need as many trained responders as possible. BLS is not that involved. The A&P is very basic. ALS is not that involved. Class room will never replace the field for making or breaking a Provider. So on the job training is paramount. 8 hours of ride along time does not make an EMT. If a student can begin to learn the academics online, then great. You can go to Law School online. Will you be able to defend OJ. Maybe not but, it is a start. EMS can be full of BS at times. In most other countries students get on the rig and learn and study at the same time. We are to protective of information. It is time to go forward and let people learn who want to learn. The Internet can do that. What is the difference of watching an instructor online versus in class of 50 students with a chain saw screaming outside the window. ( San Diego Miramar College EMT Basic Class).

This is my take on it. This is not my run so I really don't care but...............EMT-b training does not teach these guys how sensitive a job they hold. Just the possession of Vicodin and Pot are out side the fence. It is still the south, so.....I will raise an eyebrow to the cousin issue. It have heard of several Sex Offenses in that area. Someone might ask what is going on. This type of issue is very complex and other EMS Providers passing judgment does not help. Remember this...... put a firefighter in a room with 2 steel balls, he will brake one and loose the other. I know I have done it myself. Guy should have asked for help before his addictions got out of hand. BUMMER FOR EVERYONE.

I have worn turnouts to the point that avoid putting them on at all cost. I have been on the largest fires in the history of California. You guys are not getting it and that might be why we have a problem. <br><br>Are u willing to wear the gear you have been issued for a week, running 24 calls a day, day and night in a disaster zone. It seems a couple of you have an aversion to the Fire Service. The Fire Service runs the show in 80 percent of america when it comes to 911 EMS, and I see an aggressive take over of Private EMS by the Fire Service in the next few years due to budgets needing to be justified. Unified Fire in Salt lake has just about ran every company out. They do Medic Engine Transports. <br><br>The point is that Dickies style pants, Red Cap, Lyons, whatever.... are not appropriate clothing for long term EMS Operations. Look at England, and other countries. Look at the red cross in Spain and France. This was an issue during the world trade center 9/11. It was an issue during Katrina. Why not have a Standard Ensemble Outer Wear that could be adapted or modified for use by the user for cold wx or warm wx. Somewhat like Ski Patrol wears. Mandated by the DOT. Same Color and spec in every state. If a person saw you in San Diego or Miami it would be the same uniform. <br><br> I am not Ricky Rescue......it is your emergency not mine. I am not going to expose myself to the cold or heat or the rain, get my boots wet, get my shirt wet. Some of you have higher levels of medical training. OK.........why is it that you don't touch a sink with your scrubs when you wash your hands? Why is it that you don't allow soiled linen to touch your Scrubs? Why is it that you Don't allow Scrubs to be removed from the hospital, and why do they wash scrubs in a SEPARATED washing machine. The first code of the day, your uniform is contaminated, and you take back to the Quarters, it cross contaminates the Rig etc, etc. Then you put it in your washing machine at home where you wash you kids cloths. SICK......my sons mom never let me wash my uniform it the washing machine she said take it to the laundrymat. <br>Her mom was a trauma nurse, she knew about MRSA, and all the microbes and pathogens that remain. I challenge you to do some research on the subject. Now I feel the subject might be that EMS providers are not receiving the correct training, they don't understand what they are&nbsp;&nbsp;being exposed to. The first SNF you go into and kneel on the bed of a PT to lift them on the Gurney you have contaminated the crap out of your pants. <br>Then you go eat lunch in those pants, gross.<br><br> <div><br></div><div>The globe stuff is right on point.....hats off to the FDNY EMS division. Ever run into Captain Morris from Rescue 1.?&nbsp;</div>

Mandates. Similar to NFPA. Enforcement would have to be on the County or State Level. The enforcement issue is a problem in every industry in America. Employers try to cut corners if they know the cops are not around the corner. This may not be a problem everywhere. That is why I posted the topic. In my area I have seen EMT's show up in Tennis shoes with their shirts hanging out. But a more pressing issue is WHEN a disaster strikes. The Big Earthquake in California. I know Fire has stockpiles of PPE. But that is for them. Not for the BLS or ALS private provider. I will use Hurricane Katrina for example, flight nurses were flying around in Levis and t-shirts, as there was not Pre-issued PPE. We talk allot about homeland security but we fail to address common short falls in the system. Yes the Military, the Fire Service ETC ETC. They did not show up during Katrina. Do you disagree?

I would like to know how many users feel Private EMS Providers Uniforms are Substandard. Not taking the Bloodborne Pathogens Issue into the Picture, it Appears EMS Provider Uniforms In General are Cheap, Do Not Provide the Proper Thermal Protection (cold weather), etc, etc. When is the DOT going to come of age and follow the NFPA, and Create Mandates for EMS Personnel and Their Safety.

I don't know how many responses you have had? Here is my advice. You are assuming allot. First off the EMT-B program at Miramar is Good. The lead instructor is a great gal. The program is ALWAYS FULL, you will need at 3 months lead time being admitted to Miramar if you expect to get a seat. It will take about 8 months to finish the program and pass the NREMT-B exam. Then you will need to work as A EMT-B for six months to qualify for a Medic program. Wages are 10.00 and hour or so, and you will not run any Emergency calls. EMT basics to not run emergency calls is SD city at all. All 911 goes thru SD Fire and San Diego Medical Services Enterprise AKA Rural Metro takes all calls along with a medic engine company. As an EMT-B you will run Inter Facility Transports, if you take vitals that will be about the extent of PT care. The reason for this is as a basic EMT you can't do much. I did not accept this ugly fact until I became and advanced EMS Provider. If you can't start an IV, you cannot change a PT status all that much. The EMT-B is outdated and needs to be updated. Allot of areas don't even use it anymore, they only have Intermediate and Advanced Look at the DOT EMT-B national standards (google it). There are Several BLS ambulance companies in SD but don't expect quality, expect CHEAP.......it BLS it does not pay. Medic school is about a year, you will need A&amp;P as a prereq and it is competitive to get in. All in all expect 3 to 4 years before you are a.............full fledged paramedic. lol. Then the pay is 12.00 dollars an hour to start. CALL RURAL METRO SAN DIEGO AND ASK. Now I not talking about being a Fire Medic which is a very long road, and SD is cutting services not expanding them so.......Chula Vista is closing fire stations....it could be 10 years to get a fire medic job. So........this is my advice. Check out www.trainingdivision.com look at what they have to offer, it is not for everyone but it can work to a persons advantage. I think you have a pre-conceived notion of EMS in San Diego that is not valid. If you are going to succeed and compete in this biz you need to be flexible, you need to want to be a MEDIC anywhere you can. Also look at the wages, very low. Better option would be go to Nursing school and Challenge the MEDIC exam then you can work in the ED, on Life Flight or In the field. Check out Sunstar EMS in Florida they have a great program. They even have SWAT medics, guns and drugs. lol I would not suggest spending 3 t o4 years to become a MEDIC, the scope of practice is limited and so is wages. I would say go EMT to RN to MEDIC Challenge. Then practice Emergency Medicine. If you are in the NG now see if you can change you MOS, and get military EMS Training. There are lots of good Places to be a Medic Start learning today. If you email me I will give you some tips on books and ways you can put yourself way ahead of the game. I will not share with everyone.....sorry. <div><br></div><div><br></div><div>All in all after the thrill of lights and sirens, you will want know you have money to sustain a descent life style. So.....why not start off with that in the balance.&nbsp;</div><div>There used to be a company in SD called Hartson. The company was fairly progressive, all medics wore flight suits, the rigs were great, we had a good time. Some of the Medics that worked there have become leading EMS Instructors. The Mosby MEDIC text is in part written by a MEDIC who worked at Hartson.</div><div><br></div><div>Check out JEMS.com Journal Of Emergency Medical Services. It will give you allot of info.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>