emtannie

Welcome to the city, Keith. This site has some valuable resources, and some great people, and like every dysfunctional family, the odd crazy person as well. Good to have you on board!

Annie

And, let's not forget the rumor that if Duckett cuts EMS by 3% this year, he gets a $150,000 bonus.... where is his incentive to be fiscally responsible to the province, rather than adopting the Ralph Klein hack and slash with abaondon method of cutting funding?

Judith, I agree with Siff.... look outside Calgary... there are other services hiring, and you may find that working outside Calgary and building experience will get you farther in the long run, than waiting for Calgary hirings only. Yes, Calgary may be the most convenient for you at this time... but look outside the city... and don't discount the more rural services. Handling a critical patient when you don't have a major hospital 10 minutes away or another ALS unit to back you up is a valuable skill...

Best of luck..

Thanks Loner, for the thread.. you are a sweetie...

And Sis... thanks for the strippers... it appears that turnip is happy to see me! ROFLMAO

I do miss you too *big hug*

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes - it means a lot to me.

HAHAHAHA love the video, especially a couple lines, especially "Dixie McCall's boobs...." You have to admit, Dixie was an amazing nurse - did she work 24 hours a day, or what? She ran the ER, and also was in on surgeries and other procedures, and was everywhere.

Randolph Mantooth has, and always will be, my EMS hero - I had the BIGGEST crush on him when I watched the original "Emergency!" episodes on TV.

But, Dr. Bledsoe, if I may ask a favor, there is something I have always wondered, and I am hoping you can ask Mr. Mantooth.. Why did Johnny and Roy always wear their helmets while driving to the scene, and then take them off when they got there? Was Roy's driving really that bad? Just curious.

I saw this on the news tonight.... and the newscaster said "Police suspect alcohol may have been a factor." Geez - ya think???????

This was not a random act, like a meteorite falling out of the sky... this was pre-meditated stupidity; unfortunately, some tree-hugging, whale-saving PETA member will blame the tiger for doing what it does naturally - catching stupid mammals to eat... personally, I think this is just another fine example of Darwinism.. and God bless idiots for keeping us employed...

I agree with you, Happi.

My father did not want to die in a hospital, and we made arrangements for him to die at home. My mother and I took care of him until his passing, which was no easy task, but it was what he wanted.

Too many times I see the health CARE system fail when it is needed the most - at the end of someone's life. People deserve the same respect at the last moment of their life as they got at their first, and so do their families. How did we forget that? Somehow the very system that is supposed to protect them in their weakest moments, abuses them. I see it, and I hate it.

Congrats! And WE WANT PICS!!!!!!!

I watched all the newscasts I could last night... I have family in the Camrose area...

I heard from some Edmonton crews that things went well, as well as they could considering the size of the event...

Big cheers to all that worked at that MCI - very very well done!

And squint my dear, why are you surprised that the flying blood clots still managed to get media coverage?

Robert, you have not responded to my request: could you please post some studies on how running red lights and speeding improves patient outcomes?

Your quote: Nonsense about saving minimal time. We save A LOT of time not having to wait in line for traffic signals which may take two cycles to get through. Sometimes three cycles for left turns.

Your quote: You can also blow your little siren continuously, annoying people in their homes, warning non existent drivers, motorcyclists, bicyclists, pedestrians.

Your quote: There are few accidents.

Again, refer above to my request.

Your quote: If no one is there, does it matter that I am breaking some of your rules?

Your quote: Best is to get everyone to make good decisions

The logic in the above comments evades me. As long as no one sees you, it is ok to break the rules? Wow… how come my parents didn’t go with that when I broke rules when they weren’t around? I can see that logic working in court “well, no one SAW me kill him, so it must be ok.” Yes, an extreme example, but it shows the flaw in your theory. A good decision would be to follow the rules EVERY time, regardless of whether someone is watching or not.

You have made comments about others being “holier than thou” and “not in the picture” (yes, I realize what picture that is referring to). Instead of replying with offensive comments, please, show the proof that your way works.

Your quote: Would be horrible to have children harmed because of a grade crossing signal failure - though I have never heard of even one.

Try google:

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa38...12/ai_n9008828/

I could probably find more if I had time....

NIOSH recommendations are to STOP, not roll through. http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/2003-121/

The reason, you ask? Because PEOPLE ARE STUPID. Quote from Conrail Operation Lifesaver (which you should be familiar with): Nearly two-thirds of all crossing accidents occur during daylight hours. Because two-thirds of all accidents occur at crossings equipped with automatic warning devices, driver inattention is clearly the major cause. (http://www.conrail.com/oplife.htm)

By stopping at the crossing, the driver is forcing him or herself to be attentive, and not be in an accident.

We go through these actions of stopping at red lights, of stopping at train tracks, of slowing down, of not cutting into other lanes when there is oncoming traffic, because PEOPLE MAKE MISTAKES. It must be wonderful to be as perfect as you, that you have never made a driving mistake. The reason those laws are in place, is based on evidence. I still haven’t seen your evidence to the contrary, and until I see evidence, I won’t continue with this discussion because your comments are moot until then.

http://publicsafety.com/article/article.js...p;siteSection=2

- a 2003 article by Bryan Bledsoe

- statistics in this article show that L&S may improve times statistically, but CLINICALLY they do not make a difference

- the article also reviews EMS fatalities, most of which are motor vehicle related

http://www.emergencydispatch.org/articles/...llingmyths1.htm

- old data from 1989, but shows that most ambulance accidents occur in daylight, and in good road conditions

- The majority of ambulance accidents occurs when making turns or when broadsided at an intersection (hmmmm….. interesting)

- Locations where traffic signaling devices exist present the greatest risk for an ambulance accident to occur. (hmmm…. Interesting)

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/3852764/FIREFI...JURY-STATISTICS

States in part (and note, ambulances are part of these statistics):

NYS DMV Fire Vehicle Accident Reports: Manner of Collision, 2007 (accident not necessarily caused by FD driver)

Top Human Factors Cited:

51 – Failure to Yield Right of Way

36 – Driver Inattention

13 – Unsafe Backing

13 – Unsafe speed

12 – passing or lane change improper

(Hmmmmm – interesting)

It would appear that the vast majority of accidents are caused by driver error – no big surprise. Then, it would make sense that we enact laws to reduce the possibility of driver error – LIKE STOPPING AT RED LIGHTS, instead of flying through and having an accident. Just because you THINK the intersection is clear, doesn’t mean it is.

It would appear from your comments, that you feel like the laws are put in place due to stupidity. Well, yes they are… they are put in place to protect us from those who refuse to see that slowing down, stopping (heaven forbid) and taking those few extra seconds DOES protect us.

Robert, could you please post some studies on how running red lights and speeding improves patient outcomes?

I would like to see the scientific evidence to support your comment “Merely that following some ridiculous "rule" that lengthens response time, causes more traffic impediment, more wear and tear on the vehicle, more fuel use and pollution by everyone - is needless.”

Until you can show me the studies showing that your methods are better, I will not believe a word you say. I can provide more references to support my position. Can you?

And, I think you should again review the link I provided in my previous post:

http://www.coloradoautoinjuries.com/Auto_A..._Accidents.aspx

It would appear that Colorado law isn’t going to back you when you slam into someone doing 90…..

When I started reading this thread, it was from curiousity, but the further I got into it, the more morbid the curiousity got..... kinda like how you can't look away from watching a gory movie....

Robert Gift - are you for real? Wow... I am going to tell my friends I am afraid to travel to Colorado now. You are scary.

You have quoted several driving instructor certs.. I wonder.. Are you like the first aid instructor who has never touched a real patient? I see your profile says "volunteer firefighter, worst responder."

I like to see studies and statistics, so I am going to Google a bit, and see what I find for stats on driving L&S, and running red lights, and see what the stats say about accidents.

In the meantime, I found a website that I think Robert should read...

http://www.coloradoautoinjuries.com/Auto_A..._Accidents.aspx

I wonder if the lawyer will give me a finders fee?

Quote "Anytime one race enslaves another, they should pay --- doesnt matter what color they are."

HMMM..... so when my basketball team beats another team, I need to apologise? When the Allied forces won WWII, they should apologise? WTF

I don't know about the rest of the people on this thread, but I don't feel obligated to pay one damn dime...

MY family were slaves. MY family was killed by business owners and government leaders. MY family came to North America without one penny in their pocket. MY family was not allowed education or housing. MY family was discriminated against, and abused here because of the country they came from. Members of my family were killed, here in North America, because of their religious beliefs. And oh yeah... my family has been in North America less than 100 years. Oh wait a minute... I know why my family is successful... I have WHITE skin!!!!!!!!!! That has to be it! That is the ONLY reason my family has been successful!!!!! Give me a f***in break.....

So, crotchity, you can just quit whining, suck it up, and teach your family that life is not fair, and hard work does pay off. and that is it YOUR job to succeed. Begging for handouts using the excuse of something that happened generations ago isn't going to cut it. My family did NOTHING to your ancestors, so I refuse to provide an handout.

Throughout this thread, I have tried to be reasonable, and point out that there have been so many other races and cultures who have been held in slavery, abused, and discriminated against, but crotchity, for some reason, you refuse to acknowledge the fact that those other races and cultures have chosen to look ahead, not back, and have succeeded. By continuing to look back, instead of forward, YOU hold yourself back. YOU are the one who is not being a good example to "YOUR" people. YOU are the reason for failure.

I won't apologise, and I won't condone this handout that crotchity wants.

Crotchity, you should be ashamed of yourself. Instead of using your education and talents to be a role model to "your" people, you choose to be just another person looking for the easy way out, looking for a handout to solve all your problems. You should be using your education, your job, and your skills to be an example - to show people that it is hard work that makes you successful, not the color of your skin.

I am well aware that crotchity's reply to this post will still be the "your people had it better than my people" bullshit. I am well aware that crotchity's reply will still be the "you owe me" theme...

And Crotchity, you know what? There are members on this thread, who have tried to have a rational discussion with you, who have posted facts and figures which clearly proved your "facts" wrong. Even your own links argued against some of your opinions. You have refused to have a rational discussion. You have refused to even consider their comments as possibly being valid. You have called people names on this thread which were incredibly offensive, even when most here have tried to be civil and polite, and you made gross generalizations regarding white people in general.

I refuse to debate this silliness with you any longer. I will not continue to try to be rational and polite to you any longer. And now, I am going back to study my pharmacology homework, because I plan on being successful, and not demanding a handout from people who had nothing to do with my situation.

It is interesting to see the comment "these are the exception..." My commentary here, although directed specifically at Crotchity, I hope is food for thought for others as well...

We see exceptions every day in our work, and we rejoice in those exceptions.... the cancer patient who is only given 3 months to live, who lives more than a year, and has productive time with family during that year... the MI patient who you resuscitated and thought they wouldn't make it through the night, who recovered and went home a week later..... the seriously injured victim hit by a drunk driver, who recovered... these are all exceptions, and we rejoice in every one of them.

Why then, is it so difficult to rejoice in those who are "the exceptions" in other areas of life? Those who worked hard and not only made a better life for themselves, but also made a better life for others along the way? Why can those people not be used as the example to strive for, rather than just saying "they are an exception" and not using them as an example of something that CAN be accomplished?

These are exactly the people that SHOULD be used as an example. These are exactly the people who SHOULD be held up as examples to those who live in poorer neighborhoods. Maybe if people stopped saying "they are the exception and I will never be able to do what they did" and started saying "if they can do it, I can too" the excuses about gangs, and drugs, and poor neighborhoods, and poor education, and low incomes would disappear.

These people are proof that if you say "I can" instead of "I can't" success is truly possible.

medic_texas, that is the best post I have seen in a very long time.

And Ruff, I agree with you too... it is difficult to accept commentary from someone who provides such gross generalizations which are directed at all the readers of this site.

Are you coming to Canada too?

“I will say it again, if the white race had only had access to this country's educational system for 40 years, you would not do well on written or oral tests either. It will be generations before we as a group can compete evenly in that category with other races who have had 100s of years of education in their family.”

I am still going to argue that this opinion is an excuse, not fact.

When I was growing up, my parents didn’t hand me anything. I had to work for my own money. I didn’t own my own vehicle until I was 21, and then it was a used one that was more than 10 years old. I paid my own way through university, with the help of scholarships (which I worked my ass off for, so I would have good grades to get them).

In my last year of university, I ran out of money, so I lived on the street for 4 months. I stole money out of the fountains at the mall so I could buy food. I sold everything I had so that I could pay my tuition. I couldn’t get work because I didn’t have decent clothes to wear to work, and we were in a recession. I was too proud to ask my parents for money. I was determined to make it on my own, and I did.

My family didn’t have access to over 100 years of education. Don’t use that as an excuse… and I will say it again – the best revenge is success…

So what is the solution? Giving handouts is not the solution – the Canadian government has proven that with the handouts to the native population – free education, including college or university, free health care, free housing… all that does is develop a group of people who cannot and will not work. I realize that is a Canadian example.. but I am sure there are similar examples in the US.

Giving a payout is not the solution – what will happen to that money? Will it go to education? Good housing? Improving lifestyle? I seriously doubt it.

Promoting those who do not meet the skill set required is not the solution either. It breeds a workplace of apathy – why should I work hard? My job is secure because I am a (insert female, minority, disabled, or other discriminated group here) person. That type of hiring does not improve the workforce – it undermines it.

Having a white person provide programs to educate on better parenting, better health care, better education, are not going to work, because those programs will come from a white person.

Any ideas that come from a white person will not be taken seriously, because they come from a white person (that is racist too, isn’t it…)… so what is the solution?

Crotchety, there was some good reading in the links you provided.

The first link showed a number of lawsuits, but none are dated later than 2002. I suspect that link is terribly out of date. I also suspect that there are still lots of lawsuits.

The link regarding the nooses…. The crew members who did that should not have only been fired, but banned from any public service position, made to publicly apologize, and taken out behind the barn for a good whipping. Their actions are absolutely inexcuseable.

The chart on earnings was dated 2000. I would hope that in 9 years, things have improved, although I would still bet that wages are not on par. Based on the second page, Hispanics are in a worse employment position than blacks.. less are in management and sales, and more are in physical labour. I would suspect that part of the reason for the disparity is based on education level, and I would agree that some is still based on racism.

The Brookings site was a very interesting read, and it actually argued against the “usual” reasons for blacks performing poorly on tests:

"Traditional explanations for the black-white test score gap have not stood up well to the test of time. During the 1960s, most liberals blamed the gap on some combination of black poverty, racial segregation, and inadequate funding of black schools. Since then, the number of affluent black families has grown dramatically, but their children's test scores still lag far behind those of white children from equally affluent families. School desegregation may have played some role in reducing the black-white test score gap in the South, but school desegregation also seems to have costs for blacks, and when we compare initially similar students in today's schools, those who attend desegregated schools learn only slightly more than those in segregated schools.

Recent evidence suggests that disparities in school resources do affect achievement, but resource disparities between black and white children have shrunk steadily over time. The average black child now attends school in a district that spends as much per pupil as the average white child's district. Black children's schools also have about the same number of teachers per pupil as white schools. Predominantly white schools seem to attract more skilled teachers than black schools, but while black students who attend predominantly white schools probably benefit from having better teachers, this advantage seems to be offset by the social costs of being in an overwhelmingly white environment. In any event, schools cannot be the main reason for the black-white test score gap, because it appears before children enter school and persists even when black and white children attend the same schools. If schools play an important role in perpetuating the gap, either desegregated schools must be treating black and white children very differently or else black and white children must react very differently to the same treatment.”

I found that interesting, as I had assumed the same – that poverty and schooling were a major factor – however, since the gap occurs before school starts, the article continues to discuss other issues which may cause the gap, which include young child socialization. Interesting, but very hard to prove in studies…

This quote from the article is a little disconcerting: “Research also suggests that black-white differences in parenting practices contribute to the test score gap. Improving parenting skills may therefore be as important as improving schools.” It does go on in more detail, but my first thought is – how do we tell a group of people that their parenting skills need to improve? Who am I to tell them that, and how could I possibly do it without them telling me to take a flying leap? If a white person tells a black person that they need to improve their parenting skills, how offensive would that be? I am thinking that would be pretty offensive to the black person.

I think the article hits it on the head with this sentence: “Americans seem to be unusually likely to attribute academic failure to low ability rather than inadequate effort.” I think this is far bigger than academic failure – I think this is pervasive in all aspects of life.. I failed, therefore I must have someone else to blame….

I wasn’t able to open the jbhe news views link. It said it was broken.

The next jbhe link has the following quote: “Not only are African-American scores on the SAT far below the scores of whites and Asian Americans, but they also trail the scores of every other major ethnic group in the United States including students of Puerto Rican and Mexican backgrounds.”

Why is that? The article discounts economic status as a reason. It does go into explaining educational status as a reason, but also goes into much detail again about parenting, and role modelling. Very interesting, as it was discussed in the article, to think that black students look at drug dealers and rappers as their role models, and that makes their scores lower. How do we combat this?

Crotchety, the articles you posted did not validate your argument that blacks get poorer educations and are always from lower income families. It showed that Hispanics are faring worse than blacks.

So, getting back to the original post…. Was the testing for the firefighter exam truly discriminatory? And if so, how? If it was truly biased, of course it should be thrown out; but, I completely disagree with allowing people who have failed to be allowed to advance, just based on their argument that “it wasn’t fair.” Life isn’t fair. Life never will be fair, no matter how much we try. We all have to make it as fair as possible. Not just whites, not just blacks… everyone has to try. Instead of throwing stones, is there anyone who is looking at that testing and asking what could be done better? Or is everyone in that situation just so caught up in the politics of racism that they are drowning in it and can’t look for solutions? At what point do we say “I will succeed regardless of what has happened in the past” and then just go ahead and succeed? I think that is the question that has to be asked. Why are people so willing to let things that happened lifetimes ago hold them back from succeeding today?

Crotchety, you asked about the financial standing of my parents. Despite not having access to college educations, my parents were very successful, and would be considered wealthy in our area. My father owned his own company, and also farmed. I would guess that in our region, my parents ‘ incomes were in the top 10%, including local doctors and lawyers. When my family arrived in Canada, they had not even been allowed to bring their wedding rings with them. They arrived with nothing. When I see how far my family has come in 2 generations, I struggle to understand how people who have been in North America for those same 2 generations, and have had more opportunities to start with, could use what happened 100 years ago as a reason for not being able to compete.

I am not saying that racism doesn’t exist. It does, and that is pathetic. I am saying that using it as a reason to fail is also pathetic. Someone once said (and I apologise to the author of this quote, as I can’t remember who said it) “The best revenge is success.” I think that should be the motto of all who feel that they have been discriminated against, and who think they have been held back because of their race, or sex, or sexual orientation. Succeed anyways!

And, since once again, I got incredibly long-winded, I will rest for a bit….

Like several others, I have been watching this thread for a while… and wasn’t going to jump in…. but I can’t resist….

Quote – Crotchety ““What time are youall burning the cross ? You guys…..”

A gross generalization, which in itself is racist – and yet you choose to throw stones at others. I have not had a black supervisor in EMS. But then again, there is only 1 black family in my area, which has about 3500 people… and the husband in that family is a manager at an industrial business, and the wife is a bank manager. I don’t see any racism or discrimination there. Your gross generalizations defeat your purpose.

Quote - Crotchety: “I repeat again, you cant expect a race of people that have only been in the educational system of this country for 30-40 years (as a whole group - not individually) to compete with a race of people who have hundreds of years of education in their family. “

Crotchety, why do you look at the world and only feel that blacks were discriminated against (please note the use of the term WERE). Why do you refuse to acknowledge other incidents of racism that occurred in the US and elsewhere in the world? (and, as you referred to another thread in your posting, I will too). Please, explain to me how "your" situation is different than Irish, Polish, Chinese or other groups who were used as slave labour and not allowed education, housing, or jobs.

Please explain to me why you feel that a black person who was born and raised in the US cannot compete, yet I see immigrants who come to the US now, and have no education, and cannot speak English, overcome those obstacles and become successful. Why can they do it, when they come from a third world country, and you yourself stated that blacks can’t, even though they were born and raised in the US?

Quote - Crotchety: “Regardless of who was the first to graduate college in your family, your family had access to education since this country was founded. My ancestors were not afforded that opportunity, thanks to your ancestors. “

My ancestors did not have access to education so your argument regarding ancestors having access to education is not valid. They were slaves in Russia. When they escaped, and came to Canada, they were not allowed jobs, or educations. “My people” did not enslave “your people.” “My people” were slaves. My parents were denied college educations. Your argument has no validity.

Comparing the death of Elvis to the death of Michael Jackson is like comparing apples and oranges. Where you get the hero thing for Elvis is beyond me. I have never heard him referred to as a hero, except from you… which I find interesting…

Quote - Crotchety: “George Bush graduated from Harvard --- nuff said. “ “I suggested that each candidate be judged on his/her prior performance.”

Obama graduated from Harvard – what’s your point? Judging a candidate on performance…. Isn’t that what testing does? I find it funny that you are so incensed about blacks supposedly not getting into EMS, and talk about changes in the last 20 years. How many females were in EMS 20 years ago? Hmmmm… bias? Racism? Oh yeah – that isn’t racist – it’s sexist – that doesn’t count…..

Quote – Crotchity: “You miss the key point, the field is not level. If the field were level, I would have no problem with it. When you whites finally let us start attending your schools and universities just 40-50 years ago, the field began to level, for a few minorities. “

When you start an argument with “when you whites….” You are being racist. Again, I ask that you address why you feel that it is only blacks that can’t succeed when circumstances are challenging. Why can other minorities succeed and blacks can’t (basing this comment solely on your words, since I don’t believe this).

Quote – Crotchity: “An industry whose management force is 99% white male couldnt possibly be due to racism, it must be that blacks just dont try hard enough. Please.”

EMS is a relatively young profession. As with most young professions, advancement is made from within. As 20 – 30 years ago, EMS was probably (and I say probably because I don’t have the stats to back me up) mostly white male, those people moved up into management. Give it another 10 – 15 years, and I would bet that you see more and more minorities and women in management. Just like other businesses – and an example which I can verify, and have had personal experience with – banking. I was in commercial banking for 15 years, and was the ONLY female manager in my region. Racist? Sexist? You bet… I was consistently paid the lowest, even though my portfolio and my results were significantly better than more than half the men in my region. Why? Because I was female. I fought for parity. I based my arguments on facts and figures, not on emotion. And I won. Forgive me if I don’t fall for the “I don’t succeed because I am black.” You don’t succeed because you choose to give up. You can make changes, positive changes, if you choose to.

I know why the whites didn’t pass the test: they didn’t study hard enough, they didn’t work hard enough, and they weren’t smart enough. End of story…

“Justice for all” is a work in progress…. And by continuing to cry that life is unfair, rather than working to make positive changes, does more to hinder justice for all, than help it.

If this exam was biased, if it did not specifically test firefighting knowledge, then of course it should be thrown out. If it was testing firefighting knowledge, then why wouldn’t it be kept in? From the sites I googled, it was only part of the promotion process.

I found an article regarding this particular exam (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,517074,00.html) which stated in part:

“The promotion exams were closely focused on firefighting methods, knowledge and skills. The first part had 200 multiple-choice questions and counted for 60 percent of the final score. Candidates returned another day to take an oral exam in which they described responses to various scenarios, which counted for 40 percent.”

On the surface, it appears that the exam was firefighting based… if that was indeed the case, the lawsuit is valid, as the white firefighters were discriminated against. If the exam was not firefighting based, and the grading was subjective, of course it should be thrown out.

I have worked with a disturbing number of partners who either physically disabled the back-up alarm at the beginning of their shift, or automatically reached down to turn it off every time they (or I) went into reverse, no matter the situation. That's automatic termination in my world.

I agree with you (I know - amazing, isn't it... lol) but there is a good reason that those security features are in place, and a good reason that policies and procedures are in place for backing up with a spotter. Partners like that should be disciplined at minimum, and terminated if disciplinary action doesn't work.

I would like to know the same things Arctickat posted regarding backup alarms and a spotter.... if the driver was not following policy and procedures, they should be terminated.

My question is this which is what was posed to me earlier today after I told some people about this

What happens if the person goes out drinking, goes a different way home but not the most direct route which would of course be directly thru where the checkpoint is and they cream some unsuspecting family?

Is there any recourse that the family who was hit has against either the lawmaker who got stopped and thought that they needed to make a law or does that family have recourse against the person or entity who put the sign up advertising the checkpoint?

Some lawyer will probably win that battle someday, unfortunately.

Something similar was tried here a couple years ago. We were called to a single vehicle MVC. The unrestrained driver was ejected and had multiple injuries, including the usual head, spine, and chest trauma. The unrestrained driver was also under the legal drinking age, and had a blood alcohol limit above the legal limit and had recreational drugs on board.

The events prior to the accident were that a group of teens, ranging in age from 14 - 19, and a few 20-somethings, decided to have a party in a relatively remote area. They trespassed onto private property and started a bonfire where they were having their party. They damaged buildings and equipment on this property. Of course there was alcohol and recreational drugs in great abundance. The property owner called the police, who arrived on scene, and they removed the ringleaders from the property. The rest of the people were instructed to leave the property, but if they were too drunk to drive, arrangements would be made for them.

This particular person chose to get behind the wheel of his car anyway, and drive anyway, and rolled his vehicle.

His parents tried to sue the police officer who made the initial contact with the group at the party, with the reasoning "It is all the cop's fault - if he had not broken up the party, my kid wouldn't have driven drunk." Go figure. Thank the higher power that you believe in, that this did not get very far in the legal system.

Hmmm Dust….. so far you have called me a liar and an attack dog, and told me to STFU, you have called Scotty “cock breath” and you have called Happiness a liar as well. How is that not an attack?

Now, if my comment about hero cookies and martyrs was seen as an attack, that is how you are welcome to interpret it. I am perfectly happy to take the extra two minutes for the retaliation penalty. You chose to be aggressive and insulting, and you expected me to stand back and take it from you, and when I refused to, you claimed I am attacking… I am ok with that if you want to think that way.

Please show me where I “ told one lie after another” about you. Please show me where I “accuse (Dust) of bashing Canadia” and please learn to spell it right. The fact that you continue to refer to Canada as “Canadia” and “the Republik of Canadia” is offensive; however, I have not accused you of bashing Canada. I merely questioned your reasoning for the title of the thread.

Dust, please direct any further name-calling to me in pm, and your responses to my above requests, in order not to derail this thread again – I will not respond to your baiting further in this thread.

Now, in an effort to not derail this thread again (please note that for almost 2 pages, it was right on track) I have some other comments to make about the current strike situation.

In an article dated June 2, 2009 (http://www.timescolonist.com/technology/tech-biz/Paramedic+strike+leaves+service+staff+bloodied/1654143/story.html) I found one section interesting….

“The ambulance paramedics were victims of lousy timing. They're just coming off a contract that froze their wages for three years before giving them a two per cent hike in 2008. That deal was ratified in 2005, shortly before the provincial government loosened the purse strings and began signing bonus-laden deals with other public-sector unions, contracts designed to guarantee labour peace through the Vancouver Olympics. In 2006, the teachers signed for 16 per cent over five years, 25,000 BCGEU members got 10 per cent over four, while hospital workers averaged 10.8 over four.”

So what is BCAS going to do for the Olympics in 2010? If current students are not getting their practicums due to the strike situation, so new employees are not going to be available, there is a possibility of EMS being short staffed for the Olympics just due to retirements and members leaving for other locations... if the government doesn’t feel embarrassed now, wait until the world is watching…. That may be something the union may want to capitalize on.

Is there anything in the “essential service” legislation that would be directly related to the upcoming Olympics?

Dust, Happi gave a valid explanation of why the strike has gone for 2 months, which you are unwilling to accept - that is your problem, not hers. Everyone knows that during an election, very few political decisions get made, regardless of whether it is in Canada or the US. There are steps being taken this week to rectify that, which was also explained. You have chosen to ignore that too.

"Many people? We have what, three BCAS medics here? Do the math. But if you take it "personaly", maybe it'll make you mad enough to put your foot in your leadership's arse and get something done. "

Spellcheck is your friend.

And, I noted that even your good friend squint gave you a -5, but you choose not to argue with him, only with others.... this shows me that you are arguing for the sake of argument, not for constructive discussion.

Something IS being done, which you are choosing to ignore. The medics in BC are voicing their opinions, fighting for what they think is right, and bringing their issues to the public. They are working to a solution.

"taking your failure out on me isn't accomplishing a damn thing."

I don't see anyone taking anything out on you. Just as you gave your opinons, so have others, which is their right as much as it is yours. You don't have to agree, and neither do they... but to continue on this "I am being picked on" theme is getting *yawn*

News Update Today:

A news release from BCAS (as per their website: www.bcas.ca) states in part:

"Following BCAS and CUPE 873 working with facilitators to find areas of common interest, CUPE 873 asked Labour Relations Board (LRB) mediator Mark Atkinson to resume working with the parties. The parties are scheduled to meet June 11 and 12 with mediator Atkinson to further discuss and define language around these areas of common interest. BCAS is encouraged by the progress that has been made in recent discussions. The parties still remain far apart on compensation issues."

I suspect CUPE will have a response to that shortly...

Don't get me going on that topic !

As does Alberta Health Fixed Wing operations that have assisted in Northern BC for many, many years.

And MedicAir from Medicine Hat, Alberta as well..... they go to Cranbrook regularly... but I digress....

I hadn't heard the loonie story.... OMG.... G Campbell is a candidate for the 14g in the hand award if he ever ends up in the back of an ambulance....

Thanks Happi -

That does make sense in rural areas where the call volume doesn`t warrant full time paid employees. I have seen similar setups in my region for more rural services that don`t have a high call volume.

I am wondering though... for Nanaimo, their call volume would be higher, wouldn`t it... I just quickly googled, and the Nanaimo region has over 131000 people with the city proper having approx 67000.

The two cities I am closest to, Medicine Hat (pop 57000) and Lethbridge (pop 84000) do not have any on call or call in units. All units are fully staffed 24-7 with ALS units.

I wonder if those on call units are the more rural units in the Nanaimo region, and not the city itself. That would make more sense.....

As Happi has done a very good job of again explaining why other members on this site interpreted Dust’s comments as sarcastic and offensive, I won’t go into any more detail on it.

Dust, please remember that like any other member on this site, you can post your opinions; however, that also means that others can post theirs, even if they don’t agree with you, and just as you question their opinions, they have the right to question yours.

OK… back to the discussion on BCAS…

Squint, I read over that news article….

If I am reading it correctly, 4 of the Nanaimo ambulances are staffed full time (but not necessarily by full time employees) who are at the station, getting full pay for being there, regardless if the tones go. Two are staffed by part timers who are paid essentially a “partial wage” to be at the station and “full wage” when the tones go… and one is staffed by the $2/hr on call staff……

I am like you …. WTF…. Holy administrative paperwork batman…. Having 3 different pay structures within the same area must be a nightmare. I would like to see how much they are paying in administrative costs to keep track of all this.

What is the response time like for those who are “on call”? Is there a minimum response time criteria in place for those units? Is there a provincial standard for response times in urban settings? I know there is in Alberta…. I just wonder if Nanaimo meets the BC provincial standards with their interesting structure.

Is there a requirement for the part-timers to do a minimum number of $2/hr shifts? At station shifts? Is there any protection for them so they don’t always get stuck on the $2/hr rotation? If I have no plans, and am going to be at home for a few days AFTER I have completed a full tour at full pay, sure I would carry a pager for $2/hr when I am just sitting at home. BUT if I am not getting full shifts, and my only income is the $2/hr shifts, I would be looking for other work ASAP.

Is that same pay structure happening at other locations as well? I agree with “Same Scene, Same Pay”…. But this should also extend to “same shift, same pay” and “same job, same pay.”