GAmedic1506

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disregard, we figured out his password, and will disable the link

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Oh I forgot, I think we are going to add CPAP, but we haven't tested it yet -- ordered one for demo, not here yet.

Ok, remember you asked me for this, and I am going out on a limb, so dont start sawing it just yet. This is the short list of major accomplishments, at my current employer, in no particular order: 1. Established cutting-edge protocols (cutting edge for our region, maybe not yours) in 1999, that were copied by most regional services. We are about to roll out a whole new set that are cutting edge for this generation, but I did not do those. 2. Created Homecare Instructions for those who refused EMS transport. Featured in JEMS, adopted by many services. 3. Upgraded equipment from LP10 to LP12s with 12 lead, new pulse oximetry, new glucometers, and stretchers. About to add end-tidal CO2, but not accomplished as of this date. Put baxter IV pumps on our trucks. Put fluid warming shelves on the trucks ($700.00), but initially used footwarming pads that secretaries use ($30.00). 4. Used Special Option Sales Tax to purchase new communications system (laptops 800mhz radios), will be implemented this fall. 5. Facilitated the revamping of our training/orientation process because it sucked. I can not take full-credit as many of the ideas came from employees and supervisors. 6. Bought over $200k in disaster supplies using HRSA and FEMA grants. In 2001, our disaster supplies consisted of one triage kit (with tags and vests), now we have decon showers, generators, suits, scbas, the full-meal-deal. 7. Increased overall pay by 30% since 2000, wished it couldve been more, but we have had tough financial constraints since 2002. 8. Facilitated 2 full-scale, multi-agency disaster drills before 9/11, which had never been done in this region. 9. Was one of three people that were in charge of our Hurricane Katrina shelter for evacuees. We took care of about 300 people for two weeks, and distributed 8 tractor trailor loads of supplies to other shelters. Thats a good topic to post here, as I learned alot from running that shelter. 10. Improved design of our boxes for medic safety -- not enough, but we tried -- safety net at end of bench, no overhead cabinet above squadbench -- no rough corners -- additional padding. Moved to a bigger chassis, Chevy 4500 -- seems to be a good move so far, but too early to say. 11. After 9/11 myself and a medic from a neighboring county wrote/compiled/created a WMD training guide for the whole region that educated everyone about those issues. It was distributed to every ambulance service -- emergent or non-emergent. 12. I have tried to fight for change within our region, asking all services to set benchmarks and compare data, but i have been unsuccessful in that cause. Thats all I could think of in 20 minutes -- feel free to ask about any of the issues.

You are right, we just revamped the whole orientation/ departmental training process.

Ok, give me a minute to compose a short-list, and no it will not be impressive, but I will attempt to list.

I didnt list my accomplishments for exactly the reason you stated, because I feared that it would come across as preaching, or that i was somehow superior to others. At the minimum, it would seem as though I was blowing my own horn. I have had an impact in a number of areas locally - regionally, but I do not think that I have had any impact beyond my own borders or the industry as a whole, nor do I have a legacy to pass on other than what you have stated: patient care, teaching and mentoring. In other words, there will never be an EMS building somewhere that is named after me. But I do believe that a forum such as this, with some of the best and brightest minds in EMS, we can make real differences, if we roll up our sleeves and go to work.

Ace, please go back to page 3 and read my last comment. I love you no matter what, and look forward to more civil, yet spirited debates in the future.

Thank you azep, I do apologize, as I had misread your comment. And thank you for sharing those two sites, as I had not heard of either one. I will check them out.

Thank you ace. I do not want us to get another post locked down, as that benefits no one. Lets just agree to disagree. I respect you because you like the facts and you are not afraid to challenge people. Your not one of those who just say anything to get attention. I think this site will benefit from our disagreements, if we can keep it civil.

I think it depends on what level of emt they are, and how your service uses them. I do not believe EMT-Bs should be on an ambulance, but I think EMT-Is should be. At our service, we do not dumb-down or have separate training for EMT-Is, everyone gets the same education. Most of our EMT-Is have attended ACLS, and are very knowledgeable. We have had EMTs who kept rooky medics from making a mistake several times (like giving atrovent to a CHF patient). I do not believe that children should be on the ambulance for all of the reasons already cited.

To Ace and Azep --- Do not poo-poo Tech's idea of improving his service. It is apparant that both of you work at the perfect EMS System where there is no room for improvement, or questioning of the status-quo. As far as the benefit of canned training, I agree that classroom instruction by a qualified instructor with some hands-on practicals is superior, but many of us do not work for the perfect EMS Service that you do. Many systems do not have a paid instructor, or a budget that allows people to attend training classes. Some medics actually struggle to meet National Registry Recert Hours. Some medics have to travel over 100 miles just to find a PHTLS/BTLS course. Then there are medics who arent happy with the status quo and have attended all of the standard classes, and may just want to read something new. Ace, I am sorry that i pissed in your cherios, it is obvious that my posts are generating more commentary than yours, and that has upset you (although your ego will not allow you to admit that). My intention was not to unseat you from whatever throne you sat on prior to my arrival, I just wanted to discuss EMS issues. I am sorry that I have upset your world so. As far as you being INSULTED, I have not accused any member of this forum, or the forum itself of being lazy. I asked the question "Are WE (EMS) (not emtcity, ruff, ace,or anyone else) lazy, scared, or indifferent ?" That thing at the end of the sentence is called a question mark, which means the statement is a question. Also, please note that I used the word "WE", not "you", which implies that I include myself in the problem. But there is a simple solution to the problem, when you see anything posted by me, just ignore it and go to a different thread. My thoughts, threads, and posts will live or die based on whether or not people enjoy the content. If people find my posts to be boring or stupid they will stop reading and responding. But my guess is that people want to discuss all EMS issues, even the ones that make them a little uncomfortable.