tniuqs

This is a wolf .... dingos are a tad smaller .... Letting a 90% wolf near a baby .... they should shoot the parents first!

Umm Why would you ... umm never mind.

As you wish ... My bad ? Umm don't answer that's a rhetorical question. cheers

Ah one of my pet peaves: Heat exhaustion vs heat stroke vs heat prostration these are almost "lay terms" these days. Hyperthermia like Hypothermia should be taught as to varying degrees not different entities, hell it just confuses me anyway ... fluid resuscitation with attention to electrolyte replacement and blood glucose levels are of key importance in understanding the pathophysiology and treatment. As for immersing in ICE CUBEs ... YIKES ... SO not a good idea as the body will respond as in the Hypothermia ie "after drop phenomenon" I would expect the same response to overshoot in Tx of Hyperthermia (although were I work its not a common call) Passive external cooling with chemical cold packs is a good field treatment but fluids are definitive care either PO (as tolerated) IV or IO ... but crummy in cooling ones beer ( I have done field research in this area with only fair results) cheers

Thats good I like it ... funny stuff !

So what your saying is being a member of a Union in Texas is pointless to start with as you have no clout in a strike situation anyway and one/ many can be replaced en mass ... well it sure doesn't work that way in BCAS or TO ... its the worst elected officials nightmare thats why the move to essential services legislation in most provinces, heck one can loose a seat in the legislature for putting a bad cat bylaw in place. The unions here really fight for disability support, representation when false or BS accusations are leveled and safety for the employees ... oh yea they have an agenda, but who doesn't. I have worked for private services so I know collections can be real issue, but seldom have I found that well unless the operators hand is out and begging for subsidies the books stay locked out of sight. In Alberta its a blend (so called) but when the government stepped inin April it became a real mess (great timing eh what?).. hence why those that are interested in whats going on across Canada are concerned with the future of Paramedicine and what is going on education, reciprocity and comparative pay levels.... ie the solidarity part is really important if we don't collectively stick together we might as well go back to mules and wagons. Thing is after my visit to Texas (was great) your cost of living is WAY lower, taxes alone, I just hate seeing a fellow brother get screwed under false pretenses ... laying it on a general economic downturn and using that as an excuse ... I still cant get over the excessive use of Helos down south ... these cost huge pesos and don't really save lives in the long run for the vast majority of patients. cheers and thanks You know some of Y'alls should come up and see how if functions here .. NOT that its superior its just different ... and its warm this time of year too.

cough splutter blame unions for the economy your understanding of world economics is fraught with a lack real information, the unions did not cause an economic downturn, try world oil prices first and who controls that, the multinational groups, so try OPEC to start with maybe the Arabs will buy you that new house that is owed to you ... sheesh go away, whitey owes your people and unions destroy the economy ? Obviously you crotch have not followed anything that is going on north of your border nor across the pond, quite typical and now your blaming the unions and what they did to the Auto industry ... you should really wake up and smell the "tims" with the executives of the auto industry giving themselves huge, no huge bonus's ... besides the fact that bailing out large industry is NOT capitalism either, AN EPIC FAIL and any economists will tell you downsizing only increases profit margin for the stakeholders so long live stupidity! now back to crotches diversion .. just watch the response to that ..... y'all. Ah the threat of job loss is the best motivator, companies close the doors is because its not profitable when employees want to be paid what their worth, understand that all employees no matter what job are exploited to a certain degree ... thats just the way the cookie crumbles ... its a matter of varying degrees is all. IN public delivery of services its called managing costs, and BCAS is blowing it BAD. But Help me out here first splenac .. please explain "right to work" concept as opposed to the "right not to work" dust tried to get it into my socialist head and it just did not make sense to me, everyone has the right to work or the right to starve or collect food stamps/ welfare. So the threat of layoffs IS the REAL issue here SO I guessed right a typical employer strategic move and no mention of job loss threats in the news brief at ALL, no any mention of transperancy with company profits ? sad really. So riddle me this: Did call volume drop ? or did the rates to the patients drop ? or perhaps subsidies from the community drop to deliver services of your services ? I bet $$$ that did not happen ! Hell even if they did layoff some the companies still need staff to deliver the services (and no matter what business it is) YOU have ALL lost in the long run and sold out your fellow workers based on compound wages (long term) and then wonder why you are not treated as professionals because your not organised and besides there is a huge difference in standing up for fair pay and living in fear of loosing your job as these statements speak clearly that you have zero job security in the first place. AGAIN (unlike private delivery of services in the US) I feel obligated to inform y'all again that the employer's here in TO and in BC ARE THE FREAKING GOVERNMENT and not a private for profit operation and that in most cases membership in a union is MANDATED anyway or you can't work or be licenced. And Yes this IS on topic .. Dust threw it out there with initial post and he and I love to banter back and forth and he knows statements below will just to get me going .... on a tirade ... ie You Toronto and BC guys better not let your bosses see this! Hey Dust BCAS CUPE members have adopted the "break the Uniform code and wear a "T" shirt too ... bah whaa ha ha ! cheers.

Well looks like BC is following TOs lead ... and I still cant hear any Phat Lady sings yet ...LOL. in solidarity !

The last settlement by Calgary Paramedics (before becoming provincial) was 12 % over 3 years ... they took a strike vote and it went to binding arbartation but in AB with the Health Sciences Association "dictated by the government" its all up in the air for the rest of our province ... if one looks and goggles LOTS other raises for EMS across Canada are very different, but again we are just talking money here as many times "shifts types" "OT rates" Accomodations and a myriad of other factors are included in Labour Negotiations. Catch this ... last time I was in Revelstoke BC ... the ambulance did not have a freaking "hall" they were working out of a Hotel .... true story ! When we are talking cross border, different currency and economic structure's hard to put a finger on a "usual raises" query. cheers Here is a blurb about the land down under ... found on a google search AUSTRALIA

A 6 % wage increase over 3 years is a win ? Hells Bells that is not even the cost of living increase here over a 3 year period ... from the information provided I think their union sold them out if they returned a 2.75 % this year AND under a already signed contract agreement too, WHY? Besides if one does the math loosing 2.75 in the first year and they loose out down the road with the compounding the hourly wage, I would do the math but I have no idea what Austin City pays. Frankly, I can't see this as any "lesson" at all but not knowing ALL the details that were on the table during the bargaining talks, I bet there is way details more NOT being disclosed, perhaps not exploring the 3rd party private Operators for bids ? I dunno ... I do know that in BCAS and in TO the "employer" is NOT bargaining in good faith and developing legislation / dictating the rules of engagement to change only in their favor with an absolute disregard for the welfare of the people that they "supposedly" serve. Question ... Why do we not compare ourselves with RNs as opposed to FF or Police anyway ... I know thats not what CUPE in BC is asking for but realistically our jobs are far more involved with Health Care than with FF or LEOs ... I guess it depends on the way one looks at the mirage. I do know one thing that the RNs here are very militant and would go balistic if there union "gave up" their raise. cheers

Dust already posted this.

Well interesting that they would give up a raise in one year and then accept a 3 % in the next 2 years, sounds like a deal has been made behind closed doors There is very little information as to the reasoning for this maybe they are avoiding cut backs in staffing or the City of Austin are using that as a threat, as with the sweep of a wand they could be contracting the EMS services out to a third party, hence LOWERING the wages of the EMS providers that "could" be rehired (I bet its more complex than what the local Austin rag is saying) Fortunatly under legislation this could not happen in ONT or BC ... although my bet is the governments would like to try that based on budget only not brains for the future of Pre Hospital Care Medicine, just try to ignore the mandate of the voters because bottom line in Public delivery of health care system this is where the buck stops the Voters. The situation with "essential services legislation" is a horse of a completely different colour north of the boarder and its not just about money its about parody and recognition with other essential services (in BC) where there is now a serious lack of providers and improving standards in delivery of care is a huge factor as well (look to the links) or pushing them over the edge in mandatory OT ... look to the real moneys/ budget in BC they are paying through the nose with the huge volume of OT, so just who is thinking here ... no one ! SETTLE it in good faith... will cost less in the long run it always does, as full fledged strikes cost everyone and don't believe for a minute that CUPE in BC will not go that far with the Olympics at stake and the World watching "Canadian Health Care System in Kaos" Besides BCAS as the operator and the licencing board are one in the same ... I call fowl! The fact that the "bosses" here are provincial dictators and are not purely municipal funded, Dust your comparing grapes to cherries and your dislike of union's is clouding your judgement. One has to work within the confines of any system and Texas is a long way from BC or TO, in mind, spirit and level of education and heck you know yourself the vast difference between the Ontario PCP and Texas EMT-B. Try this link, positive education on a bit more grandiose scale than the local rags ps (D. Wilton is a mover and shaker when it comes to organizing EMS in Our Nations Capital) http://www.ottawaparamedics.ca/admin/news/...yChrisJones.pdf Now for your enjoyment the AB system and recently "restructured" under more essential service legislation, the 3 ways of delivery of service (talk about confused) and despite the assurances of no degradation of care that is exactly what is occurring, loss of ALS care and Canadian trained MDs in the rural communities .... Heads WILL roll. One member of Provincial Conservative Caucus just may come the dark side after making a stand on health care issues and getting booted out of inner circle 'jerk" and now AB will follow is my dream ... I dare to dream, yes, still a united front for Paramedics nation wide. BTW Are the Nurses in Austin also not receiving a raise to help out with the downturn with the "economy" ... I bet friggen not ! I sure hope Austin Paramedics are happy with there 12 dollar an hour job, besides and in the news "fluff" it does not mention if they are restricted to E calls or transfers ... nice try though cheers

Whats with this again part ? ... the initial post is what I call "circle" talking, although Ruffems does have the best response so far ... Are we now going down the road of "the guessing game" ?? I would rather play Eyedawn's game .... my guess is 0 dollars ! cheers

Hey I feel guilty about all this even though I live in a different country that aided the Slaves ... I will be most pleased to send crotchity 20 CND pesos to revisit his homeland. cheers

Umm WHY would they delay a response ? If the patient was fine when why get your knickers in a knot ? Just is not worth the effort of putting your BP into the roof, yea go ahead and rant ... heck we do understand the frustration ... and rant on .... if that helps. But pick your battles wisely. Agreed with Artickat: anonymity is worthless and unless your willing to attach your name kinda gutless too. cheers

Ok Geek ... Junk food deprivation training takes "guts" ! cheers

Disagree Strongly .. withdrawal of service is not "in the public eye" a honorable thing to do, nor in the public's best interest either, one looses all support and respect. ie Dial 911 or 999 and "sorry their out on strike"I will dispatch a taxi" it just doesn't cut the mustard, nor is it smart in negotiations ... although not being privy to insider info that just could happen in BC. ps One cuts a cherry tree down with one swing at a time. cheers

As I have stated clearly in other threads, I have observed these "situations" a few times before ... and its NEVER over till the Fat Lady sings the government is on summer breaks and collectively its going to be end of summer before we hear any singing at all, just the way it is politically with Public Health Care. And let the "complainers" whine all they want is important is the delivery of service is that what they are bitching about ? or what just on what one "look's like" so please direct their complaints to those that are responsible for the resultant job actions, in unfair labour negotiations and practices from BC to NS (and don't forget Toba, they have their own issues with the dominate WFD running rough shod over EMS in Winterpeg, Go Eric Go !) Its an odd cultural thing as we have in Canukistan have a typical response of apathy and tolerance, well until you push the right button then we fight to the death and kick major asses until the situation is solved ... look to Canadian War history, it speaks for itself. ie pushing the Taliban back to Swat valley speaks volumes in itself with very little support ... just don't mess with us if we are pissed off ... PERIOD. Dust you yourself are concerned with improving systems, so just how can one accomplish ANYTHING to advance the our profession if WE the providers do not have a collective voice? Take a stand, refuse to be legislated to do overtime + + + ? Let the our employers dictate level of care based on a government pencil pushing accountant ... not me thanks and now the government agency's are bent on union busting, far from what is best for our profession nor patients in our care in the present Health Care Systems here, it not ALL about the money. As a side bar OPALS was sponsored BY the government in ONT to deter the development of ALS ... so don't get me going on that tirade. Talk money OK : Compare the typical wages of the EMT in Canada and that in the US (or a pet peave of yours that being volunteer services, we have VERY few )... need I say any more ? Alberta is praised and worshiped (some places) for advancement in standards and regulatory body well until ACoP so screwed up and divested from supporting PAC (a national association to organize, standardize, and improve educational standards) that was because ACoP is being lead by a government ring in its nose lately ... sorry a bit off topic. Its simple really .. UNITED we stand, DIVIDED we fall. As for lame ass break the uniform code, send Paramedics home for wearing a freaking black "T" shirt .. I say pfft, hell, in the mid 80s we did WALK in Edmonton and what a cluster that was .... 12 units wrecked in less than 24 hours, people arrested, careers destroyed, managers fired, thing long term, it did make working conditions "realistic" and we are now taken seriously not simply just replaced like drone bees as it is done in far far too many places, because EMTs or Paramedics are "A DIME A FREAKEN DOZEN!" cheers reason for edit ... hail storm and loss of power.

Um Ah ... a WHAT .... like with the playboy logo ? No I take that back .. I don't want to know ! cheers

IMHO the public does respect EMS in TO, wearing a Tshirt and "being sent home" is a bit of an over reaction and shows the employer is more interested in reprimand / control than proper staffing of units, this is not bargaining in good faith to start with that brought on this action to a head when one has no alternative than breaking with uniform policy ... I believe the egg is on the higher ups face(s). If one is following ALL the disputes across Canada this wearing of a Black T shirt is the least of the concerns and this JEMS news robot commentary is no where near the other media stories in coverage or representation its just a blurb doest tell the whole story. Did you hear about the union boss charged with theft of an ambulance in TO ? Times they are a changing heck, when I was in Texas I saw a few "vollies" uniforms that WERE Black T shirts and jeans and were "issue" ... no wait that was in Louisiana. cheers

Its not a military organization its just a employer, if the employer does not respect an agreement then why should the employee's .... besides I am WAY faster with just MY speedo on. Quoting Rock Shoes: The public has a right to know when these people are in a labour dispute and the public has a right to know why. YES THEY DO using T shirts as bill boards good idea in my books as long as it does not intefer or bring disrespect to the profession. Declaration of essential services can be a double edged sword, and as we are seeing in Alberta and legislatively just in favor or our "new" employer our Provincal Government ... as if EMS is not logically essential in the first place, heck just look in any phone book world wide. AND any media coverage is good coverage .... quoting some old American guy, I think he was an actor turned politician or something. cheers

A fib can lead to CVA .... Implementing the concept .... Did an injury cause a fall or did the fall lead to an injury. cheers If you have bedside coags that would not be harmful either .. go TNT diagnostics !

Ever consider a return to your homeland if its not a fair playing field in the US ... ? I know where some fair playing fields are the Dafar region in the Sudan or Rwanda perhaps Cameroon ? ... lovely this time of year with all the civil wars and ethnic cleansing going on and all, have a good trip. cheers

You will be fine ... hell, I break out in a sweat eating a sandwich ... cheers

Is a concealed OTHO support a misdemeanor or a felony in NYC ? cheers