Dustdevil

Well, I don't think I know of any specific resources for you. Sorry about that. It's an interesting question though. I've been involved in marine transportation at jet boat events, as well as in the role of a lake patrolman years ago, and military SAR. Of course, those were all scene response EMS events, not long distance transportation. I'm kind of confused by the question though. The above examples are obviously absolute indications for marine transport. But what other indications might there be? As a flight nurse, I have had patients that absolutely did not want to fly, yet needed to travel a long -- sometimes intercontinental -- distance for repatriation. I suppose it might be appropriate to stick them on a cruise ship with a nurse, under those conditions. I'm interested in what other information you come up with, as well as your preconceptions on the matter. Good luck!

My info may be outdated or mistaken, but it is my impression that there simply aren't many paramedic level services in RI. They're into half-steps there, because they don't need real paramedics. I think the chances of this guy finding an ALS EMS job are slim to none. Your best bet is to go to wherever it is you plan to go, and then attend EMT through Paramedic school straight through without a break. Although, you should get your college foundational courses done before attempting either one of them. And do NOT move anywhere until you have absolutely confirmed, beyond any doubt whatsoever, that there are a LOT of jobs for n00b EMTs and medics in EMS (real EMS, not transfer driving) there. Texas has more opportunity than most, in that respect. But it's still pretty slim pickins in most metro areas, where firemen do all the sexy work. What school are you looking at here?

Yeah, it appears to be one of those science classes dumbed down for non-science majors to fulfill their science elective requirements. It probably would not transfer to a paramedic or nursing programme.

I say profile all non-US citizens, period. Not everyone with the money for a ticket ought to be given a visa, for one goddamn thing. There is a metric arseload of British and French "citizens" who are actually foreign born and Muslim. It's time all this visa shit stopped. I don't want foreigners here, period. Unless they're hott.

Agreed on the chemistry recommendation. The first week or so of A&P is the goddamn Krebs Cycle, and other molecular processes that will leave you scratching your head if you don't understand basic chemical structure.

I transported a lot of Marines in Iraq, if that is helpful to you.

You will be at least TWICE as good an EMT with A&P ahead of time as you would have been without it. AT LEAST TWICE as good! You do not get the same exponential benefit by taking it after the fact. Taking an EMT course without the basics first is like building a house without pouring the foundation first. Even if you go back and do it later, it is never as good as if you had done it right the first time.

How do you come to the conclusion that immediate medical care was imperative to the patient's survival? You don't think s/he would have done just as well if the cops had simply dragged him/her out to a waiting ambulance?

This would be a valid point if his work time actually kept him from his family. It does not. He home offices, and his family goes with him on all his work trips.

And no passeport either. Meanwhile, they still give the full anal probe to the guy in the wheelchair with military ID and a round trip ticket.

Whacker!! Just kidding. Great to see a positive story from above the Mason-Dixon for once! Someone needs to check that guy's immigration status though.

Good news video at the link. Check it out.

What policies? Apparently they have none. Administrative FAIL! You can leave a vehicle running without leaving it unlocked and the keys in the ignition, morons. I just love how people act completely shocked that this kind of thing could possibly happen every time it does. It's only been going on for like fifty years now.

Yeah, it seems a bit like going to ballet lessons because you hope to someday be an astronaut.

LOL! Perfect reply for an FDNY post!

I'm anxious to see them follow up on this story with statistics of how many grads actually find an EMS job. That's EMS, not minimum wage horizontal taxi driver. And of those who do find a real EMS job, how long they keep it. I sense FAIL.

I would suggest you just enrol into one of those 3 week quicky EMT courses in California and get your 120 hours in, as if you had no prior education. It'll be over in a blink. Then you can go right to work driving nursing home residents to and from scheduled doctor appointments for $11 dollars an hour. Lucky you!

Sue the union. They're the ones who screwed you. And I doubt they'll find any sympathy in the courts.

No way to tell. Depends on who took it. Why they took it. Who released it. Why they released it. Who the patient was. Whether this was an actual patient or a re-enactment. If the patient is identifiable. Lots of factors. That said, I'd probably fire any of my people if they took that photo, whether they released it or not. And there is no such thing as HIPPA, unless you're talking about the Spanish word for a female hippo.

I'm not naive enough to believe that it is. Just saying, in nearly thirty-seven years of EMS, I have yet to ever see it in the news. These things seem to pop up almost monthly, yet it is always a fire-based system. I see a pattern.

There are a few places around the country that hoard used ambulances for sale. There used to be one here in Dallas, but they only handle funeral cars now. You might give them a call and see if they can tell you who handles used ambulances these days. One of those lots would probably have a used lens for you. They are at http://www.spvinc.com/ Of course, Horton could help you, but like you say, you're probably talking new prices there, although that's probably not that bad. If you talk directly to someone in parts, he might have some spares in a pile somewhere that he'd be willing to sneak out the door for you. I've had such luck with other ambulance manufacturers in the past. Good luck!

FAIL! WTF? Still waiting to see a report of non-fire EMS doing this.

What's the difference?

Well, that certainly sounds more fun that what I was doing those days! Although, anyone interested in a career as a home health aide could definitely make a very educational experience out of a couple days with me. I really am disappointed to have missed out on this shindig, though. AK is right; it's a quality experience run by quality people. Throw in some quality companionship from EMT City, and you have a complete winner. Again, I hated to miss it. Looks like BEorP is our only two-time attendee so far. With his serious commitment to the profession, I am not at all surprised. Maybe next year I will have enough in me to tie his record. I'm looking forward to it! Bring on the photos!

I love where the article says he used to be a First Responder for the town, but lately is only working as an EMT. WTF does that mean?