Richard B the EMT

Wasn't that Moe Hamid O'Brian?

Hey, firedoc, are your "MIBs" guarding the smiley face?

I will be presumptuous that some reading this are not from climates that drop down to below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. To these readers, I mention that water conducts heat and cold. If wearing wet socks, you can lose body heat quickly, so that is why the postings from us in the colder climates hammer so heavily on the subject of dry socks.

The used ambulance purchase episode was in New Jersey, middle eastern accented man wanted to pay cash for a used ambulance, suddenly decided to leave. Turned out to be innocent, but made all the newspapers around the world.

Possibly from Sears, Target, Picket Fences, or other catalogs. lol

Sorry, using my New York City mind-think again. FDNY, which is a paid municipal service, minimally uses 4 crew (wo)men and an officer, both on engine and truck companies.

I believe that location is just south of East Cupcake. (Don't ask, it's a Long Island thing for any town east of State Route 110)

Reflective stripes, flashing/strobing/blinking lights, traffic cones, flares, all mean nothing to a distracted, inattentive, impaired, or "Me First, all else second" attitude driver. Multiple FDNY, NYPD vehicles, the Health and Hospitals Corporation EMS ambulance (pre merger into the FDNY), flares and traffic cones didn't stop a determined to go his own way driver from severely injuring (now Lieutenant) EMT Carol Buffa, and killing EMT Christopher Prescott, by striking and pinning them between his car and the back of the ambulance, 10+ years ago. DO NOT DEPEND ON REFLECTIVE CLOTHING! Keep an eye out, even on a "closed down roadway" for the idiots who ignore the blockades. Didn't we have a video link about some jerk, upset that the road was closed, who punched out a paramedic, before the LEOs landed on his sorry arse?

The line reads undercover agents. When asked to ID, did one say he was "Bond. James Bond"? Another responded "Jason Borne"? lol

No law enforcement, and a profit margin. You have the cash for a cigarette boat, fasten a 50 cal machine gun to the bow, you have a pirate craft. They'll let the 50 cal do the talking, until and unless someone else has another 50 cal pointed back at them to say "STOP!"

Oh, also, if a scuffle breaks out at a funeral, people think it might be a drug deal related thing, because TV and the movies have used that as a plot device so often, that in reality, people are almost conditioned to think it, until events and circumstances tell them otherwise. It's the "Guilty until proven innocent" thang.

"Engineers" are the crews from engine (pumper) companies, and "Truckies" refers to the crews from truck (hook and ladder) companies. Them that drives the BRTs (Big Red Truck) are chauffers, at least here in NYC, in the FDNY.

I live and work in the city (New York), so for me, that might be an expensive option, however, out in the country, it probably can be a lifesaver. Different needs, and all that. As for the Range Rover and BMW option packages mentioned, I can't afford the vehicles, even without the option packages. Where is my NY Lotto ticket?

One more thing about metal steps, as opposed to brick: Like the roadway signs state that the "Bridge freezes before roadway", metal steps will freeze before, and not defrost till after, brick steps, as they are conductive to cold. Also, wooden steps (and decks) are always slippery when wet, which, due to an injury taking me off the job for 3 months after sliding and falling onto my folded carry chair a few years ago, I can attest to. Thank goodness for Line Of Duty Injury (LODI) workers compensation!

Emphasis, "Should"!

I was under the impression FLIR units were exclusively used in both LEO and military helicopters in Search and Rescue ops, or as hand held/helmet mounted devices by firefighters to locate fire in the walls, or locating potential victims in smoke filled rooms.

I'm still waiting for the hand held medical scanner Dr. McCoy uses on Star Trek. As for that video, while what they discuss is probably accurate, that piece was a load of male bovine excrement!

O M G !!!!

It amazes me that this item mentioned by Kaisu is usually not covered (pun unintended) in the EMS classes, but is usually passed on by more experienced personnel to the newbies. As for the fat of the body? I don't know. Sarah Palin, the former Republican VP candidate from Alaska, seems kind of trim, as does Tina Fey, her "SNL" impersonator. I do like Twinkies.

With family in North Dakota (Grand Forks) already making the jokes about them having a heat wave (Temperature got UP to minus 5 degrees Fahrenheit), I'd pay attention to our members from the Dakotas, Alaska, or any of the Canadian members on how to stay warm while working. Anybody from the military (any country) familiar with Ice and Snow survival skills want to comment? Layers of clothing, insulated gloves, minimally a "watch cap" on my noggin, kind of sums up my "City-Scape" knowledge of cold weather work wear.

I have lost at least 4 people from "the job", at least one of them following retirement, and a few more from off the job. I have argued with some saying they were going to commit suicide in our own chat room, but, as pointed out, were seeking attention, and subsequently banned. If they read this, I may not know your new name here in the city, but if you really feel that you want to take your own life, I lack the training to help you, but there are folks specially trained at the suicide prevention telephone lines quite willing to talk to you about whatever the hell is bugging you. Use them. That is why they are there.

So? I'm a Triceratops, age 54 and some fractions at the date of this posting, working in various EMS employments from age 19, in 1973. Anywho, welcome aboard! :shock:

I think we are comparing apples and oranges. If the LEOs are going to make an arrest, or issue a ticket, discretion as to possible extenuating circumstances of making that arrest or issuing that ticket should be excercized. They may still jump in, or they might hold back until later (with someone keeping eyeballs on the suspect). Play it case by case, there probably is no "cookie cutter" answer here.

Eyedawn, seems we have similar instructors. No children of that age are to be left alone in a home (unless they are named Kevin, in a "Home Alone" movie). I'm BLS, but I'd try to keep the youngsters from seeing any visually "nasty" interventions, and transport with the original patient. I say again, radio for the LEOs to meet us at the ER to take charge of the "Mini-Me's", as I am not going to delay care one moment longer than nessesary. Besides, with the elder sibling who was supposed to be taking care of the younger ones being now unable to do so, by extension, I'd then be committing child abuse by leaving them unattended and alone.

Glad you covered yourself. Never say never!