Nate

What is the difference between a private ambulance and a county ambulance? Aren't the paramedics and EMT's the same? It just seems kind of stupid to say you can't run hot because your a private service. Maybe they need to look into their certification/inspection process, sounds like a lawsuit just waiting to happen. I could see it now, a family sues the state because their mother died. The nursing home called 911, the ambulance was 15 minutes away, the private service was 5 minutes away but wasn't called because they can't be called for emergencies. If Maryland has no faith in their private services, then it is their own fault for not trying to correct the problem, and prevent further instances. Yet another reason why I'm glad I live in Texas. It might not be the best EMS system, but at least there isn't as much of the "I'm better then you" attitude.

Actually, for a while we had it for free. Then one of the guys started paying the $12 a month for it. The service would pay for us to have an expanded viewing selection, but a neither brand works beacuse of the trees and powerlines. In our new stations we are going to ask for Digital Cable which is what the other stations have. When we want something like a bigger TV then what they will buy, we take up a collection and use the money they would spend on a TV and add it to the collection. Then we go buy a nice one. Most of us could careless about TV, we aren't usually here to enjoy it. We would rather have nice AC, decent beds, good equipment, etc.

Amen brother, I'm with you 100%.

We also have XM Radio in the trucks.

I fail to see how a cop/firefighter/paramedic who died in 9/11 is any worse of a deal then one who died in a car accident, shooting, fire, etc. So should we ban every game out there because it might offend someone? I lost a friend who was killed during a routine traffic stop (he was gunned down), I don't see that his death was any less important then someone who died in the towers, on the planes, or in Washington.

Holy cow, there hasn't been a post that music while driving is leading to the demise of the nation and EMS across the country. NIN, Korn, Smashing Pumpkins, Bush, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and you can't forget Boston.

I got a 1400 and some change, only played it once. I fail to see where the game is any worse off then Microsoft Flight Combat Simulator, Call of Duty, or any other video game out there with some kind of historical reference. It isn't like you are flying the planes into the towers, your shooting down the planes. I think some of you guys need to take a vacation and not take things so freaking serious. So far you guys have attacked a camera ad, a TV show, and now a stupid game. Has it really made your life that much meaningful?

I think many here will agree with me. It isn't always about being the highest paid. I make $0.75 more an hour then a paramedic who serves my area. However, I drive 30 miles every third day to work where I work. Why? Because number one the service treats me very well, I have school coverage, the people are awesome to work with, and I like the area I work in (although I'd never want to live there by any means). However, I could go 10 miles down the road to a city that pays nearly $3.00 more an hour then what I get now. However I have no gurantee that I would have the same non-cash benefits that I have here. I think those who agreed to walk out need to consider finding another career. You don't turn your back on someone for a few bucks.

I don't see the Napa Valley area allowing this to just happen. If I lived there I would file a lawsuit the minute this happens against the local government agencies, AMR, and the individual medics that are suppose to be on duty during the strike at the station that responds to my address. Strikes are for unions where a shutdown only has an economic cost, not one where someone could die. I've always thought strikes were kind of pointless anyways. You don't get paid while your on strike, not that many people can afford to take that kind of a pay hit if it goes on for a while. I mean lets face it, the union might supplement you if your lucky, but it isn't going to be enough to live on. I don't believe they should get walked all over, but I don't see what the issue is with taking a 10% to 19% pay raise.

I hope the citizens of the area stand up and tell those paramedics, EMT's, and AMR to get the hell out and start their own service. What I see is a bunch of greedy employees unhappy with a 10% to 19% pay raise when the average American only sees a 2% to 4% pay raise each year. You don't deny your citizens health care and protection to prove a point.

Personally, I would rather spend my own $5,000 on a flat screen LCD to hang above the fire place then an AED that might never be used. Like others have said, unless there was someone in my home who needed one...I wouldn't purchase one (not to mention that in most places you need a script to buy one). I can understand those having them if the FD/EMS provides them with one. The oxygen tank sounds like a good idea (I'm guessing that you get BVM's as well as other oxygen and airway supplies). I just have one concern, did anyone evaluate the idea of getting additional units?

I've taken a few bumps, cuts, and contusions. For the most part, I keep my but in the jump seat unless I have too. I prefer to do as much as I can before we transport so that I can minimize my time out of the jump seat and unbelted. Granted, we cannot do that, so when you do have to be mobile while transporting....I prefer to keep a hand on the grab bar and make sure nothing can fly up and hit me.

If my relief is late...they pay dearly. :evil:

Our EMT-B and EMT-I staff bids on slots every six months. The ones with the most time in get 24's followed by 12's. Those with a lot of time in can "sale" their seniority to those under them for however much they wish, or give it away if they choose. They are on set days and do not rotate at all. Our Paramedics do not bid at all, the ones with the most time in and meet the requirements are given a squad slot (Ford Explorer) and those that are newer get slots on ambulances. They are promoted as slots open up. For the most part, we have promoted with in our own stations and are able to keep those same members come shift bids. We actually have shift bids next Friday. :wink:

I don't know, maybe when I was a rookie I was with a bunch of old school guys. We were expected to be there 30 minutes before the shift, and if we weren't...you'd better have a good reason. Even though they didn't take over until 0700, it was given that it would take 30 minutes to exchange a full report of the truck, station, and crews that work the day trucks. I guess management knew that stories would be thrown in the mix and that coffee would be needed, so they figured 30 minutes was better then 10. You didn't get paid until 0700, but you were expected to be there. We tried that here, but management says we can't force someone to be here unless we pay them. So why pay someone to be early when we can just move the off time to that time (which wouldn't fix the problem). We are going early now because of the number of calls that seem to appear around the 0700 to 0900 hours. We have one person who doesn't want to have an 0600 due to the extra time required for this person to get up and get ready (thats understandable). So one person wants 0700, I want 0630, and the other wants 0600. I think we are going to get 0630.

This question is for 24 hour crews only. What time do you have shift change, and how early can you usually expect your relief to be there? Your choices are: 0600 0630 0700 0800 Thanks, Nate

The AMR experience can varied depending on who is running the show. I know that down here in Houston the shifts suck, the pay is lower then other services, and all they do is transfers (they have one subdivision they do 911 for). The plus is that you get a guaranteed check, they have standards, and around here they have decent equipment to use. I would hope for the best, and if it is bad then go from there. Think positive, because if think negative, all you'll see is bad things. Nate

ACE844 said his post was removed/edited. Regardless, I see ALERTmedic as being more of the problem then ACE844. We do have a number of strong individuals, however I have never seen ACE844 attack or toss out a threat. Seems like me that someone was getting their feelings hurt and ACE844 paid the price.

Companies do background checks on us, so you should do one on them. If you don't want to spend any money, you can start with google. You'll be able to find tax records, health department records, and other public information about the company and it's owners. Should you choose you can do background checks for a few dollars on the owners and management team. I would also call the health department, or who ever manages ambulances in your state and find out what their standing is. Then you need to ask about how many complaints and investigations they have had. Next, you can call Medicare (give it time), but you can find out their standing with Medicare, including if they are under investigation or have been. Simply put, you need to be smart and do your homework. To many EMT's and Paramedics are attracted by cool toys, shiny ambulances, and higher then normal pay.

I would like to know why ACE844 was banned. I understand that him and ALERTmedic were having a rather heated conversation, but I do not understand how one was banned when ALERTmedic clearly made a threat and a personal attack. I guess I just don't see the point in purging a member who has been here nearly a year and half and has contributed so much. Well I figured I'd ask for what it's worth. This thread will probably be deleted in a few minutes anyways. Nate

EMS is over flowing with enough trash as it is...I'd prefer to keep as much of it out as possible. While not everyone who goes to jail is a bad person, we need to move away from making exceptions and that includes keeping convicted criminals of serious offenses out.

I can print you guys some custom thongs. I just make sure I drink a lot of water, bring an extra uniform (for night), and try to enjoy the AC when I have it. If you feel yourself getting to hot, go out of service and cool down. Your no use if you become a patient yourself. :wink: We have some guys wearing that underarmor stuff, they say they are actually hotter with it on once the temps and humidity start climbing here in Houston.

Yeah....or you can avoid those situations. If you can't...then a 12g shotgun will do a nice job. If that isn't there you can always hit them with a d-cylinder.

24/48, you can't really cry about that.

Pfft...rookies. :roll: