Richard B the EMT

You're 19? Nothing wrong with that, I started in ambulance/EMS work at age 19. My problem is, I was 19 a bunch of years ago, starting in 1973. Anyway, welcome to the city.

Just wait, the best (?) is yet to come! LOL

Prior to the FDNY/EMS merger, EMS tried an experiment, called "Silent Dispatch", where, between calls, at least one person had to stay in the ambulance, no matter what, so they could get assignments sent to their MDT, without talking on the radio. Get the call, push the button signaling "en route", use voice radio if there was a problem only. That fell apart, when they discovered too many units crossing each other, going to calls. The eastern unit wouldn't know they were closer to the call given to the northern unit, because they wouldn't even announce the cross street where the call was nearest to. Response time actually went up, not down. Also, too many personnel were complaining that, even though it was simple chance, only one crew member was able to get coffee, or whatever, while rushing back with their purchase as calls came in as the other sat in the truck, monitoring, awaiting the beep from the MDT saying a call was received.

Anyone remember the most recent Los Angeles Olympics? The singer of the opening theme was a nobody no-name, but because she was so good during the original practice sessions, those in charge decided she'd sing in the actual televised opening ceremonies. Not bad for a supermarket checkout girl, even if she decided not to pursue a singing career afterwards.

My apologies for not translating. MDT/KDT is Mobile Data Terminal/Kenescope Display Terminal. An old name for a television is a Kenescope.

As I understand things, some of the Motorola paging systems, and other manufacturers, have pager systems that can single page an individual, group page small specific groups, and everyone on a general pageout.

A smiley? For me? Awwww! I'll treasure it forever.

10,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000,0 00,000,000,000,000,000, 000,000,000,000,000,000,000,000 Which is the now famous 1, followed by one hundred zeros, the famous "Google!" Actually, that answer by JPINFV is the sign of Infinity

The MDT/KDT units used by FDNY EMS Command are not laptops, but are incorporated into the console between the 2 bucket seats in the cab of our type one ambulances. Technically, we are not to start the shift with that vehicle, if the device is not functioning. We are, via components built into the MDT/KDT radio system, hooked up to a GPS system, but are only at the phase of the dispatch center knowing where the ambulance is at, to "send the nearest appropriate BLS or ALS ambulance and crew". A phase of improvement supposedly about to be implemented (in what decade of what century?) will give the crews an automatic turn by turn to get to the location of a call, or from the call scene to a hospital the crew is not familiar with. When we went to the last 2 upgrades of the MDT/KDT terminal models, the idea was that of the paperless call report being generated on the device, but for whatever reason, the department didn't follow through on that idea. We had been using a few varieties of computer/radio MDT/KDT terminals for some years previous to what is now in use.

2 associates of mine were taking courses to become doctors, in classes given in Mexico. Both lost a year, after allegations of cheating within these classes were made. Neither was involved, neither knew who cheated, but after taking the year over, both earned their MDs. One is no longer with us, the other, as it turned out, was the surgeon who had to amputate the leg, due to gangrene, of my Lady J's mom.

Had a strange call many moons ago. The setup for that now defunct non 9-1-1 provider service was, at night, 3 people took home Ambulette vehicles, which are strictly wheelchair patient transport units, and 2 others took home ambulances. When an ambulance call came in, the first due Ambulette driver and ambulance would meet up somewhere, lock the Ambulette up, and the 'lette operator would take over the wheel of the 'lance. I was one of the 'lance drivers/EMTs, and got a call from the 'lette operator to meet up with him. When I did, he told me to follow him to a different location, a distance from where the actual call we were supposed to do was located. He advised me that he had a wheelchair transport near where he left his vehicle. He took over the wheel of my ambulance, and, on local streets, proceeded to go, L&S, at a high rate of speed, at times going over 85 miles per hour, to the call, in a speed zone of 35 MPH! He made a point of moving the radio microphone to where I couldn't get to it, too. Sure enough, we suddenly had company: a patrol car from the Nassau County PD's 4 th precinct, which my partner didn't even slow down for. The NCPD officer followed us into Far Rockaway, which is Queens County. I tried acting nonchalant, as I went to the back of the ambulance for the equipment needed for the call, and my partner discussed things with the understandably angry LEO. Following the call, I drove the partner back to the locked 'lette, and returned to my home. Shortly thereafter, I got paged out, and the manager told me to meet him at the NCPD 4 th Precinct building. Note, at this hour, usually a night dispatcher would be the person we'd speak to. After getting directions to the precinct, I arrived there, roughly the same moment as both the manager and my partner did. We went in together, and were confronted by the same LEO, who apparently was a long time friend of the manager. After a fast discussion (no, after being lectured by both the LEO and the manager, we just listened), we were told to get back into our respective vehicles and go home, as we were off service until the next morning at the office. The manager mentioned that he had been contemplating firing both of us on the spot, and, with the local bus routes already down for the night, letting us both fend for ourselves to get back to our respective homes. The manager, the next day, was calmer, as he accepted my statement that I couldn't call in the obvious abuse of the lights, siren, and gas pedal, as the other guy had moved the microphone to where I couldn't grab it, advised me I was going to be on Ambulette duty until further notice, removed from the "Night Call" for the same period (at $5.00 per call additional to the by the hour daytime payment), and he had fired the partner. Have I mentioned the fired partner was a nephew of the manager? I was eventually forgiven my "error" of not calling in the reckless driving, and returned to both ambulance duties, and "Night Call" earnings. I also kept an eyeball on the rear view mirror whenever I was on the roadway I had been on, when I was taken on that speed run, even in my POV, for months following the incident.

I'll presume it's shorthand for "Big Freaking Deal" (cleaned Up version), but I could be incorrect.

Oops, on my part. I should have realized that it was a typo, by joesph, of omission, leaving off the letter "I".

1) Had the individual actually been a Paramedic? 2) What does the Michigan DoH say about "Grace Periods" on expired licenses or certifications? 3) What does the Michigan DoH say about working during such "Grace Periods"? FYI, here in New York State, at midnight of the day your "certs" (we're certified in title, not licensed) as either EMT or Paramedic expire, you are not allowed to practice in title. The "grace period" of one calendar year is to take the refresher classes and pass them, but until the individual does so, they cannot work, again, in title. The DoH will at least hold the "cert" number for them. If the calendar year goes by, and they don't get re-certified, they have to take a regular class to get the title again, and they get a new cert number. Horrors, they are considered "Newbies!" Due to injury, I have been unable to complete my re-certifications a few times, but on taking the refresher classes at the earliest opportunities following being allowed by the doctors to go back, I have maintained my NYS DoH EMT certification number from 1974.

Refresh my memory, please, or translate for something I may know by a different name. What is/are MC?

FRom the website of the New York State Department of Health, on the subject of Imancipated Minors. Check your state/provence/national protocols, as they, local to you, might be different. <H1 id=pagetitle> </H1><A name=skiptocontent>

As for the quarter allowance, the people who I, old as I am, refer to as the older folks, could tell you of going to the store, getting a quart of milk, a loaf of bread, a pound of butter, and a candy bar, and still getting a few pennies change back from ONE Dollar. Nowadays, you can spend a hundred dollars at the grocery store, then put the entire purchase into your jacket pocket as you leave the store.

Newbie partner left his portable radio on top of the patient's TV set, after I had told him to not remove it from his belt, fearing that he'd do just that. On return to base, and discovery of the missing radio, the lieutenant, understandably, was yelling at the newbie, then he turned on me for not looking out for my partner. Those portables cost about $2,000.00 each (capability to transceive on 70 or more frequencies, including certain FDNY Inter-op and NYPD Division frequencies, plus a button to silently signal the dispatcher that the crew is in trouble). As it was the end of the shift, the newbie went to the house, and staked it out until a family member of the patient's came home to give the radio back...at about 3 AM (shift had ended at 0030 hours).

It's been around for a while. Using the "ugly uniforms" as what to look for, Google came back with over 500,000 hits, from many sites. However... All of that stuff is true, so true!

15) Measure twice, then cut once.

"Mommy, Daddy, why is that man's shirt talking like a launch count down?" "Yo no hablo ingles" OK, someone will figure it out.

While not EMS related, directly, recall this tidbit... 1930s- Dick Tracy's 2 way wrist radio. 2009- Most LEOs have a portable 2 way radio hanging off their belts. 1930s- Doctor Victor Frankenstein reanimates a human heart by directing the charge of a lightning bolt through it. 1970s and up to today- "Charge the paddles to 360. Stand Clear, Stand Clear!" ZAP! "Normal sinus rhythm, continue venting, and monitor."

I am unaware of the local protocols involved where this call took place. Under the NYS DoH and FDNY protocols, to sign an RMA (Refused Medical Assistance), the patient would have had to be 18, or be a legally emancipated person. Paramedics do EKGs in the field, but in my area, I never heard of anyone doing an Echo-cardiogram, or a Sonogram, in the field.

What happened to the audio? It wasn't there!

You have competition. They have a similar quilt auctioned off at the Pulse Check convention of the New York State Volunteer Ambulance and Rescue Association. Nonetheless, it is a good idea, for good causes. FYI, NYSVARA is at www.nysvara.org