Nate

12 transports, you would have that done here in 8 hours.

I know this might sound odd, but the extra weight helps stabilize the cot. Think back and remember how easy the regular MX can tip over, the extra weight is mainly in the middle of the cot and at the front (foot end) which helps even out the load. We haven't found it that hard to move around and the other crews havn't made any comments about it being a PITA. The cot does break down shorter since the rear tray slides in and isn't as long. It also has helped us because if you've ever lowerd the cot and then tried to break the rear down you've noticed how it can be hard to turn, roll, as well as the lowest position the cot can be in when the tray is down. This problem is gone, which makes "bed side" loading a lot easier. Also, the cot isn't hard to move in and out of the apartment or house. It is just a lot less awakward since the weight is more even. Also I believe this one weighs less then the "big boy" version. I know that you can't avoid back injuries, but this really is nice when you can lift/lower a patient that is 300 lbs. and not have to worry about your back. I think that in the long run the cost will be worth it since it will be just that many less times a medic has to lift a patient. Also, has anyone noticed that all of the new cots are switching from metal handles to plastic handles?

Information We got this yesterday, when I got in today I went out to the truck and started playing with it. Pretty sweet if you ask me, and the crew who was getting off said they really loved it. You can (in theory) load the patient with one person. Each battery will allow for 21 combinations of lift. The rear area slides into the frame of the cot (vs. folding down) and has two draw backs. One is that your LP12 will take up the entire area, and 2 is that a 02 bottle won't fit across ( you have to lay it at an angle). However it does have a hook on the head part of the cot that will allow you to "hang" your LP12 from it and the glove/equpiment pouches are on the back side (under the patients head) of the cot. Another thing is that it can lift 700 lbs. It is a dream to work with, when you lower the wheels from the cot it goes down slow (even with no battery). The downsides to this is that it weighs more then a regular cot, and that you have to keep charged batteries otherwise you have to use it like a regular cot.

We look like UFO's with all of our LED lights. Our ambulances also have the graphics made out of reflective vinyl. The paint scheme is pretty cool, but it would be nice if it was reflective or yellow instead. Harris County ESD down here has a solid black truck with reflective vinyl. :?

Truth is, most of the first responders from the fire departments that we work along with are at least EMT-Basics. I really haven't come across to many ECA (Texas' version of the certified FR) except at the ER working on a transfer truck (yes they are allowed to work on an ambulance, but it can't bill higher then BLS rate).

I agree, nothing but a can of worms that I DO NOT want to open.

Go figure we carry Gatoraide, but not water on the truck.

I am methodist, I'm better then all of you.

You mean like what we call the ECA in Texas?

Maybe you can fade it, like how the brick background on this website is done. I know there was sone site that had a stupid siren or radio traffic (depending on if you were the even or odd visitor on the counter) and then had a flame background. It looked really bad, like a high school web class had built it. I think that "noise," "loud" backgrounds, and counters should be excluded from websites. There is nothing wrong with simple IMHO, but web design is a true talent and there are some people who can make some easy websites that are informative, easy to navigate, and don't leave you feeling like you just read the dictionary.

Don't laugh, but I kind of thought that God didn't give you any calls he didn't feel you were capable of dealing with. I know that sounds really out there in left field, but I noticed how some of the new EMT's and Paramedics here started to get "better" calls as their confidence level started to build. For instance, we had one new paramedic that managed to always have an easy shift (even when she covered for one of us), but the day she said she finally felt like a paramedic she had two codes. :shock:

You should have told him to go get you a slurpie and some skittles...then tell him to follow the rainbow back to the state office so he could ask them to tear up his certification.

Like it all, just would work on a different background. The asphalt is kind of hard on the eyes.

When DSHS issued a notice that they were going to bid out their testing and certification process, part of the stipulation was that NREMT would have to allow the EMT-I 85 since we were not an EMT-I 99 state. It would be great to see the EMT-I 99 come to Texas and us shed the EMT-I 85, but it would take a lot ot make it happen because while we don't have a lot of EMT-I's in this state, there are enough that would refuse to go back to school to become I-99's and you can't just "grandfather" them in since there is the addition of more drugs.

...your name is Dustdevil. Just playing, you might be a wanker if you... ...adopted suspendors as your new duty belt... ...sleep in full uniform with your boots on... ...are always the first one out the door...before the tones are even sounded... ...buy a red truck, put EMS plates on it, have more lights then a Boeing 747, and have considered buying decal kits out of Galls... ...have your own ambulance...

Yeah...he must of grabbed the wrong "back pack" when he decided to base jump.

No, we don't have that.

You must be from Texas. In Texas we have the NREMT-I 85 and don't offer the NREMT-I 99. So even if you took the class, it wouldn't do you any good here.

We had one about two years ago that climbed the Williams Tower here in Houston (Galleria area) and just let go. I can't imagine "free falling" being a good way to die. Personally, I think some people take Tom Petty way to serious.

Contact information, it is such a PITA when I need to contact someone at a department and either there is no contact information or the information is bad. I'd make it so that you have a few email addresses on there besides just the "main" one or who ever is in charge of the operation.

Only in the hospital. Out in the field, your either a full code or a DNR.

I would not be surprised if you do get the same answer.

This is what I like about Texas. Your either a full code or your a DNR when it comes to out of hospital care.

I think they see that need for more money and feel that as long as they have "cheap medical labor" they will continue to use us. Same goes for our friends south of the US border. Go figure, I can compare paramedics with illegal Hispanic labor.

Is she cute?