paramedicmike

I have worked for a municipal 911 service. Their bottom line was "keep the taxpayer happy". It was not "provide top notch prehospital medical care". Further, the practices of this service reflected it. They retained a rubber stamp medical director who only got involved at our insistance (but would back down if the program director said he was meddling too much :shock: ). If we provided the best possible care for a patient but, for some reason, they complained (didn't take them to their hospital, bumpy ride to the ER, could have been everything), we got a tongue lashing about how we were worthless, replaceable and how the trash men were more important to the working of the municipality than were paramedics (I kid you not! I argued with the boss over this a couple times.). When approached for new equipment the response was, "Well, what's wrong with the 10 year old monitor you currently have? What's wrong with the 10 year old ambulance you have that doesn't start half the time? We can't waste taxpayer dollars on things just because you *want* them!" Hospital based services has, as their main focus, proper care. The emphasis is proper care. Their system is designed that way. Jersey does a lot of goofy things. But this might be one thing for which they get bonus points. Just a thought. -be safe.

Yep. We know. We can tell. It's quite evident.

-battas: I see what you're saying. It's all good. Sorry to effectively end our portion of the debate. I know you were enjoying it. -be safe.

Just trying to understand what you wrote: So you get paid your normal daily rate for the holiday regardless if you work or not? How is this not double time? You're getting two days worth of pay for one days worth of work. Am I reading that right? If I don't work on the holiday I don't get paid (just like any other day I don't work). If I work on the holiday I get time and a half. -be safe.l

I don't think using the excuse "he's only 15" cuts it. A 15 year old high school student should be able to write complete, grammatically correct sentences with no spelling errors. That's fifth grade level material. Heck, that's second grade material. If this person can't do it now, at 15, in ninth grade, what chance exists that he'll suddenly come around and be able to do it by the time he graduates from high school? What's further, if the basics aren't established and emphasized now, then this kid will only know how to write in "internet lingo" because that's all he ever knew how to write and no one bothered to correct him. -battas: I disagree with the notion that a 15 year old won't respond to criticism as you stated. I think they will respond. They'll either ignore it (a response in a lack of response). They'll either recognize that the person is right and take appropriate action. Or, if they're like some kids I know, they tell you to stuff it (in some rather interesting terms) and do it their way just to piss off the other person. Also, you said you work in a secondary institute and are concerned about the quality of interpersonal communication skills of those you see regularly. Well, Kyle says he's only 3 years away from that. If he can't form a simple sentence correctly now, and no one calls him on it in an attempt to motivate him to do better, what's to say he's not going to be one of those kids who you see in three years who *still* can't write effectively? Kyle, You can take any of this any way you like. If you want to pursue a career in EMS this is certainly the place to be. You will find people here who are willing to answer questions, offer guidance, and support your decision to work in EMS. Please don't take the criticisms on your writing too personally. But it's important you realize that "internet lingo" is completely inappropriate for just about anything other than an instant messenger chat window. By realizing this early, by motivating yourself now to write correctly, you will only set yourself to succeed not only in EMS but in anything else you decide to do. I know I sound like one of those high school counselors who stand up in front of class and drone on about various things. I was in high school once, too. A lot of what they'll tell you is crap. But this kind of basic stuff, writing, reading, mathematics are important to do correctly the first time. And being able to do it correctly is key to doing well as a paramedic. If you want to be a medic, by all means, go for it. We'll even help with questions you have. But you have to do the work yourself. We can't do that for you. We can only point out ways to help present yourself better. And I think this is the first step. Good luck. Let us know if you have any questions. -be safe.

Just to see how you're thinking, why? You know he has a history of A-fib. What's big about a-fib? You know he's on meds to treat the a-fib. What will this particular med do to the patient? Knowing the answers to these questions, why would an irregular heartbeat be a reason to put him on the monitor (which is what the question is asking)? Just as a side, what other piece of information is available that might lead you to figure out what happened? Mobey touched on it but then let it drop focusing instead on the irregular heart rate.

Who's Karl and how does he play into all of this?

Then you said: If you're only used to writing in "internet lingo" you're not going to make it through high school, much less make it into any kind of worthwhile paramedic program. Don't just start reading over your posts. Write them well. Write them correctly. Use the spell check feature site admin has conveniently and thoughtfully provided for us to use. Dust is correct when he says if you write correctly to start you'll always sound like a normal person. Besides, a major part of working in EMS is paperwork. The ability to write a comprehensible patient care report is vitally important. Something, it seems, you're incapable of doing right now. Please work on it. You and your teachers will be happy you did. -be safe.

This time in comprehensible English, please.

Can I? You're not driving it until you get back, right? Is it one of those big Texas style pickups? Does it have the longhorns on front? -be safe

As was previously mentioned, if you do a search for this topic here in the forums I can *guarantee* you that you will find additional information that will help you. Instead of trying to re-invent the wheel by asking a question that has been asked many times before, why not just look around and see that the information you're looking for is already here? And I was being nice. If you'd like me to be rude I can accomadate you. But I'd rather it not go that route. -be safe.

The Boston Globe August 28, 2006 Roxbury MA (AP) - A seven-year-old boy was at the center of a Boston courtroom drama yesterday when he challenged a court ruling over who should have custody of him. The boy has a history of being beaten by his parents and the judge initially awarded custody to his aunt, in keeping with child custody law and regulations requiring that family unity be maintained to the degree possible. The boy surprised the court when he proclaimed that his aunt beat him more than his parents and he adamantly refused to live with her. When the judge then suggested that he live with his grandparents, the boy cried out that they also beat him. After considering the remainder of the immediate family and learning that domestic violence was apparently a way of life among them, the judge took the unprecedented step of allowing the boy to propose who should have custody of him. After two recesses to check legal references and confer with child welfare officials, the judge granted temporary custody to the Boston Red Sox, whom the boy firmly believes is not capable of beating anyone. My apologies to BoSox fans. Believe me, I feel your pain! I don't care who wins so long as it's not the Yankees. -be safe.

Each state is different. Contact the office of EMS for the states to which you may be moving. They can help you from there. Just what, exactly, did you google? If nothing else, the registry website should've helped you with that. Good luck. Hope you're wife's health improves. -be safe.

Your first post, yet you have failed to read the all important user agreement which says to search for your topic before creating a new one. The search feature is your friend. Google is your friend. Please read the user agreement and site rules. You can start here: http://www.emtcity.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=213 And before you think you're getting jumped on over this, I'm being nice about it. Your welcome could've been so much worse. -be safe.

Is there anything else left to be said after this? Ditto. -be safe.

Seems to me a logical first step would be to talk to both the Montana State Office of EMS as well as National Registry. And who says common sense is dead? -be safe.

WTF, over? Dude! You just got back for SE Asia! You just did a kick ass express driving tour of the US (from AK to FL no less...can't get much more inclusive than that). You're just getting settled in FL with a new job, new place to live. And now you're off again. Well...you've always been off but we just didn't say anything about that. Be safe. Come back in one piece. Same offer as was made to Dust we'll make to you. If you need anything at all, let us know and we'll organize a care package to you and your unit (that still stands for you, too, Dust. Need something and we can help? Let us know!). Stay safe. And let us know how you're doing.

I think Google might be a great tool for you to use in this situation. Who's Lou? -be safe.

Unfortunately, I get the whole auxiliary thing all too well. But it's interesting what you've posted. If they've been through the academy, why aren't they paid LEOs? If they're out of the military, why, especially with their veteran's preference, aren't they paid LEOs? If they're older than dirt, why are they still involved unless it's in an administrative capacity? You do reach an age where you lose your effectiveness. So, basically, what I hear you saying is that as a volunteer auxiliary police officer you're taking away a paid job from someone who comes to the stage properly trained. You said it yourself: Are you comfortable living in a community that puts your safety, the safety of your family, friends and loved ones in the hands of untrained volunteers just so the municipality can save a few bucks? But back to the topic at hand (as Admin seems to have given a warning), training or whatever aside, working in the capacity of a LEO would certainly provide the need for that individual to wear a badge. Anything else, however, negates that need. EMS has no authority to do anything. Therefore, we don't need a badge to imply that we're something we're not. Given your need to get the last word in, I'll leave it at that. But I won't get dragged any further into a discussion where one side keeps changing the topic. Dust said at one point, "Pick one thing and one thing only. Do that one thing well." I think it's an appropriate point to make. Don't get dead. -be safe.

I was thinking about how to answer this and I saw AZCEP's reply. My response would have been much more wordy...but it would've said the same thing. I can't assess my own credibility. For that I think you'll need to speak with friends, coworkers, supervisors etc... The point about including integrity into the equation is well made. However, I think the same applies. I strive every day to be as honest, credible, reliable etc...that I can be. Whether or not I have achieved my goals are best determined by those a little less biased than myself when it comes to issues relating to my behaviour. -be safe.

With the emphasis on safety...to you and the real cops who (God help them) have to rely on untrained auxiliary cops to back them up. -be safe.

An artist was commissioned to do a painting of what was believed to be Custer's Last Thought before he and a good portion of the 7th Cavalry were massacred at Little Big Horn. So she goes and does research and brain storms and finally comes up with an idea for a painting. She let's no one see it before it's unveiling. At the day of it's dedication to the museum, there are crowds of people present for the event. The mayor, senators, congressmen, even the govenor are all there. Speeches are made. Applause is given. Finally, the unveiling. The head curator of the museum pulls the cord removing the curtain covering the painting. Immediately the crowd is disgusted with what they see. The painting shows a huge lake. Out of the middle of the lake jumps a fish with a halo around it's head. On the shore of the lake, and as far into the distance as can be seen, are couples of natives having sex. The curator furiously demands an explanation from the artist. She replies, "Well, the way I figure it, the last thing to go through Custer's mind was 'Holy mackerel! Where'd all these fucking indians come from!'". -be safe.

Men don't shop. We identify a need, go to the store, buy it, go home. There is no shopping involved. If a guy decides he needs a new shirt he'll go to the store, pick up a shirt (which might or might not fit...color is unimportant), buy it and leave. It's pretty simple. We can't afford to complicate our minds with thinking of such things. After all, we have all sorts of other stuff to think about. There's "sports, ESPN, sex, baseball, sex, foot ball, hey! she was hot!, is it hockey season yet?, damn! look at her!, did Tiger win again......have you seen his wife?" to keep our minds occupied. And honestly, guys, how many would notice any of that stuff at wal mart anyway? I'm betting we'd tune most of it out. ...I'm sorry...what were we talking about? -be safe.

So this statement means you'll get to play police officer with no formal law enforcement training? Then I'd say yes. It will make you less of an officer. It'll make you more of a danger to the public at large, too. Please tell me they're not going to let you carry a gun! Where do you live again? I'm NEVER going to visit! Why? So you can have it? And I think Rid is right. I also think you're too immature to admit it. -be safe.

I'm with Rid. It couldn't hurt the candidate in my eyes. But that would only come into play after a stance on positions had been made, political ideology made known, experiences examined etc... There's more to being president than meets the eye. Just look at the last two presidents we've had. I don't think either of them really had even the slightest idea what they were getting themselves into. -be safe.