Richard B the EMT

"M, J & S" was made in 1976, from Fox Studios. The ambulance driven by "'Mother' Tucker" (Bill Cosby) was a Chevy-Patriot 63, made, before the headlights customization, by Yankee Coach. The "Caddylance" with the longhorn hood ornament was a Superior Coach 53, a 1972 unit. And, for the true trivial pursuit players amongst us, Raquel played "Jennifer", who was nicknamed "Jugs" in the movie, for obvious reasons. From "IMBd": Cast (in credits order) complete, awaiting verification Raquel Welch ... Jugs (Jennifer) Bill Cosby ... Mother Harvey Keitel ... Tony Malatesta Allen Garfield ... Harry Fishbine L.Q. Jones ... Sgt. Davey Bruce Davison ... Leroy Dick Butkus ... Rodeo Larry Hagman ... Murdoch Milt Kamen ... Barney Barra Grant ... Miss Crocker Allan Warnick ... Bliss Valerie Curtin ... Naomi Fishbine (Peaches) Ric Carrott ... Harvey Severn Darden ... Moran (Whiplash) Bill Henderson ... Charles Taylor Michael McManus ... Walker (as Mike McManus) Toni Basil ... Addict Edwin Mills ... Addict's doctor Erica Hagen ... Massage Girl - Marsha Arnold Williams ... Albert Charles Knapp ... Man with Zipper Linda Garay ... Pregnant Woman (as Linda Geray)

Reminds me of a game from 20+ years ago, "Fireman, Save My Child". Babies were thrown out windows of a building on fire, and you had 2 figures with a cot, trying to bounce all of them into the open doors of a waiting ambulance. I remember actually having some of the babies bounce off the cot 3 times before they flew into the ambulance, and as many as 5 in the air at one time.

OK, now, presuming you have the information, post the list so we all know. Please?

I don't have a clear picture on why, but my experiences were, if quickly told why the ambulance crew was changing to an upgraded status, usually it would not be denied. However, back then (1975 to 1985), the various services didn't have Dr. Clawson's flip-books for assisting a dispatcher with caller Q&A, and a number of dispatchers didn't even have the equivalent of Certified First Responder training then, more just taxi fleet dispatcher experience. Basically, unless the dispatcher told you to respond to a call L&S, you risked being fired if you took such initiative on your own.

but... I applied to Gyna, and was accepted! I start my classes in September. LOL

FDNY EMS is supposed to be a 9-1-1 "Emergency" service, but a lot of what we transport is really a taxi service, as described. We don't do scheduled transports, as that is handled by the "private/proprietary" ambulance services like, as I name 3, MetroCare (MetroSCARE), American Medical Response, or Hunter Ambulance. The privates do this non emergency transport work, which is usually stable patients, which do not require lights and/or siren while enroute, or when responding to make the pickups, however, if any of them find the patient to be crashing, they can request their dispatchers or managers to allow them to go L&S. Some misuse the L&S, claiming they are paid to "get there quick", and unfortunately, these are the companies that I end up reading about, in the New York Daily News, when they have a fatal collision, or run down a pedestrian. But, "Municipal," "Proprietary Hospital Based," or "private/proprietary" ambulance services, and recently independent Volunteer Ambulance Services, now can, and do, bill private medical insurance companies like Blue Cross, Health Insurance Plan of Greater New York, or GEICO, or programs like Medicaid, Medicare, and in California, Medi-Cal, for services rendered. If the insurer feels that the case does not warrant they pay, the ambulance service provider won't be paid. Now, a little free thinking on my part: If services rendered by a provider won't be paid, perhaps the insurance companies would prosecute the "free-riders" for attempting to do a "theft of services" using their (the insurers') name? Just thinking out loud.

Re the alcoholic content of vanilla and/or peppermint extract: http://www.akh.se/lyrics/rum_by_gum.htm Rum By Gum Recorded by The Chad Mitchell Trio on:: LP: KS3262 CD: FE3262CD Lyrics: Away, away with rum, by gum, rum, by gum, rum, by gum. Away, away with rum, by gum, the song of the Temperance Union. We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band. On the right side of temperance we do take our stand. We don't use tobacco because we do think... That the people who use it are likely to drink. Away, away with rum, by gum, rum, by gum, rum, by gum. Away, away with rum, by gum, the song of the Temperance Union. We never eat cookies because they have yeast. And one little bite turns a man to a beast. Can you imagine a sadder disgrace... Then of a man in the gutter with crumbs on his face. Away, away with rum, by gum, rum, by gum, rum, by gum. Away, away with rum, by gum, the song of the Temperance Union. We never eat fruitcake because it has rum. And one little bite turns a man to a bum. Can you imagine a sorrier sight... Than a man eating fruitcake until he gets tight. [2 singers harmonizing, ad-libbing: [1] He gets tight. [2] He gets tight. Man eating fruitcake. Fru-u-u-u-u-uit cake. [Etc,, ending together with:] Fruitcake gets tight. [pause] [broadly:] We wish you a merry fruitcake! We're coming, we're coming, our brave little band. On the right side of temperance we do take our stand. We don't use tobacco because we do think... That the people who use it are likely to drink. Away, away with rum, by gum, rum, by gum, rum, by gum. Away, away with rum, by gum, the song of the Temperance Union.

Hatzoloh reportedly had a role in Brooklyn's Crown Heights riots of some years ago, but I report here without confirmation on specifics. An African-American small boy, was hit, on the sidewalk, when a vehicle in a prominent Rabbi's caravan was involved in a vehicle accident. In one version, as it was the Rabbi's caravan, a Hatzoloh unit responded, but allegedly was told not to transport the boy by request of the NYPD that responded to the scene before the Hatzoloh or NYC EMS ambulances (pre-merger into the FDNY). In the other version, also allegedly, the Hatzoloh ambulance refused to take the child, as he was not only not jewish, but black. The only things I do know as reported fact following the rioting, was 1) that a black child was hit by a car, 2) a Hatzoloh ambulance on scene transported the driver of the car that hit the black child, as said driver reportedly was in shock for having hit a child, 3) a known rabble rouser incited the gathering crowd to attack and kill a Jew, 4) an Australian Hasidic rabbinical student was knifed to death by that crowd, and 5) the student's brother, over 10 years after the riots, is understandably still upset that nobody served any jail time for the murder of his brother. I was not involved in this, although I was working for the NYC EMS at the time. If the cops ordered the Hatzoloh unit not to take the boy, the onus is on the cops. If the ambulance refused to transport the child, violating triage protocols of the state of New York, the crew should have been properly sanctioned. As of this time, nobody has been reprimanded for doing anything wrong, but a neighborhood civilian patrol consisting of both Hasidics and blacks now patrols the 'hood, keeping what seems to be a holding peace in the community.

From what I have been told, the Hatzoloh Chevra Volunteer Ambulance Service is supposed to be the world's biggest VAS, with INTERNATIONAL headquarters in the Williamsburg section of Brooklyn, NY. They have 2 garages in the Rockaways, with 3 units in Far Rockaway for Far Rockaway (Queens County)/Lawrence/Cedahurst/Inwood (Nassau County), and 1 in the Belle Harbor section of mid to western Rockaway. Everywhere there is a large concentration of Jewish people, particularly the "Orthodox" or Chassidic Jews, there seems to be a Hatzoloh Chevra unit, at least within NYC. For the uninformed, it usually is restricted to married males, as an unmarried male is not allowed to touch any females, due to religious laws. They are considered a religious group, so nobody, least as far as I know, has sued them for sex discrimination.

There are devices available that allow a crew to leave the engine running while away from the vehicle. It allows the crew to remove the key. As most vehicles, including ambulances, need one to step on the brake pedal to allow the gearshift to leave park for any other gear, the device will kill the engine if the key has not been returned to the ignition lock and put back to the "run" position. I do not know what brand of this device the FDNY EMS is using, and I also do not know if such device, or devices, can be retrofitted to older vehicles. For more info, start Googling.

Also from the NAEMT: With spring in full bloom and summer just around the corner, it's time once again for EMS Week. This year, EMS Week will be observed from May 20 to 26. The theme for EMS Week 2007 is “Extraordinary People, Extraordinary Service.” “This slogan celebrates the exceptional service being provided to countless patients every day, often under incredibly challenging circumstances,” said Brian Keaton, MD, FACEP, president of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). “It illustrates the fact that EMS providers are dedicated to saving lives and limiting suffering, even if that requires personal sacrifice and risk. They are selfless professionals who put their own lives on hold, day after day, to respond to the emergency needs of others.” ACEP has sponsored EMS Week for the past 34 years. NAEMT worked in partnership this year with the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) to produce the EMS Week Kit, which offers lots of suggestions and advice on unique ways in which you can celebrate EMS Week in your community. The kit includes: • Articles about what other EMS organizations are doing to celebrate EMS Week; • Suggestions and examples for EMS Week activities and events; • EMS Week Planner's Checklist • EMS Celebration Calendar of Events • Public speaking tips • Networking tips • Tips on reaching out to the media and using the Web to promote EMS • EMS Week Product Catalog All of the materials listed above are available online, along with: • Fact Sheets to educate the publicabout EMS • EMS Week logos • Sample EMS Week proclamation • Sample EMSC Day proclamation • Downloadable videos and public service announcements about EMS • Archived EMS Week Planning Guides • A history of EMS in the federal government • A sample proclamation that you can ask your local government to use to officially designate May 20-26 as EMS Week in your community; and • Other planning tools to help make your EMS Week celebration a success Kits have been distributed to state EMS offices and can be obtained by contacting those offices. NAEMT members with Internet access may download copies of the EMS Week kit directly at www.acep.org/emsweek. Two national events, EMS for Children (EMSC) Day and the National EMS Memorial Service, play major roles in the observance of EMS Week. EMSC Day, May 23: This year, EMS providers in Illinois, Maryland, Pennsylvania and Florida will be celebrating the day with special awards presentations and legislative proclamations. EMSC Day annually draws attention to the specialized need for pediatric emergency care to ensure that every child in the nation receives the highest quality emergency care possible. To have the day recognized in your town or county, download a sample EMSC Day proclamation from www.acep.org/webportal/Advocacy/ems/week/EMSWeekEMSCDayProclamation.htm. For more information, visit www.ems-c.org. The National EMS Memorial Service, May 26: One national observance that takes place during EMS Week is the National EMS Memorial Service. This annual service honors EMS providers who have died in the line of duty. To date, 334 providers from 44 states and the District of Columbia have been recognized at this annual event, which will take place at 7 pm May 26, 2007, in Roanoke, Virginia. The 2007 honorees will be announced in April. Providers around the country can participate in the Memorial Service by observing the National Moment of Silence, which is set for 8 pm Eastern time on May 26. The National Moment of Silence offers EMS providers and agencies around the nation the opportunity to join with those in attendance at the National EMS Memorial Service in honoring and remembering those EMS providers who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the line of duty.

From National Association of Emergency Medical Technicians (NAEMT): NAEMT will again be a sponsor of the EMS Memorial Bike Ride. The 2007 ride will take place from May 20 to May 26 and will feature two groups of riders who will converge on Roanoke, Virginia, in time for the National EMS Memorial Service on May 26. The first group, from Kentucky and surrounding states, will participate in the First Kentucky EMS Memorial Bike Ride. This group will ride 400 miles through the Appalachian Mountains from Somerset, Kentucky, to Roanoke, Virginia, following this route: Sunday, May 20: Somerset, Kentucky, to Barbourville, Kentucky Monday, May 21: Barbourville, Kentucky, to Big Stone Gap, Virginia Tuesday, May 22- Thursday, May 24: This part of the ride will travel through Castlewood, Virginia; Bluefield, West Virginia; Pearisburg, Virginia; Christiansburg, Virginia; and Blacksburg, Virginia. Friday, May 25: Riders plan to meet up with the group traveling from New York City on the outskirts of Roanoke and proceed to the Hotel Roanoke together. Dinner will be as a group at a place to be named later. Saturday, May 26: Riders will participate in the National EMS Memorial Service. If you would like to ride with the group from Kentucky, visit www.kyemsride.com for more details. Registration is $100 until March 31, when it increases to $125. Registration fees cover insurance coverage, bicycling jerseys, administrative costs and various support items that serve the entire group. The second group of riders will follow a 600-mile route through the northeastern part of the United States. The 2007 ride route is as follows: Sunday, May 20: Queens, New York, to Hillsborough, New Jersey Monday, May 21: Hillsborough, New Jersey, to Collingdale, Pennsylvania Tuesday, May 22: Collingdale, Pennsylvania, to Emmitsburg, Maryland Wednesday, May 23: Emmitsburg, Maryland, to Woodstock, Virginia Thursday, May 24: Woodstock, Virginia, to Staunton, Virginia Friday, May 25: Staunton, Virginia, to Roanoke, Virginia Saturday, May 26: Participate in National EMS Memorial Service. Riders who wish to ride with the New York group can register at www.emsbikeride.org. Registration is $200 and covers the cost of insurance, a golf shirt, bicycling jersey, support items and administrative costs. The EMS Memorial Bike Ride was created by Boston EMT Jamie Orsino in 2001. The ride raises awareness of the National EMS Memorial and the National EMS Memorial Service, which honors those members of the EMS community who have lost their lives in the line of duty. Future plans call for the addition of other states as starting points for the ride. NAEMT is currently developing a National EMS Bike Ride Initiative. Contact Jennifer Frenette at director.jf@naemt.org if you would like to be involved in this project.

Possibly.

Someone mentioned distance as a good defence against physical attack by a patient, which is true. My girlfriend is into the martial arts, and in talking with her sensei, he realizes I practice an even older self defence than his Shogotan Karate (spelling?). It's called "FEETS, DON'T FAILS ME NOW!" Besides, being beaten up by a patient or someone travelling with the patient is against my religion, as I am a devout coward. Levity aside, it is a serious issue. Some EMS providers have operating guide protocols that no possible or actual EDP goes without a LEO riding in the back with the patient. Others should wait for the LEOs and request they ride, as most understand and will accommodate you. You should also consider the same for an AOB or ETOH abuser . I didn't, and the intox punched me in the mouth.

(From a BLS) What is meant by the flashlight, in this usage? Eyes what I would call PERL, or Pupils Equally Reactive to Light?

Never discount this question. I once had a patient who was severely intoxicated, with heavy smell of AOB, and verbal statement of the patient confirming large ETOH intake, who had been stabbed in the scrotum. He had lost copious amounts of blood, and the damage was such that he should have been screaming from the pain. Such pain was masked by his ETOH ingestion.

The company was not a 9-1-1 provider, basically just a taxi with stretcher, as opposed to a taxi with a meter. Actual emergency calls were few and far between, and usually done by a team with at least one of the owner's family riding or driving.

Oh My GOD! Yes it dates the two of us, and probably more.

I think I got youse guys: Because you have a frequent flier, who might go to the hospital several times during an 8 hour shift, your partner has an extra book of Ambulance Call Reports already filled out, except for times and vital signs, added as they are used. 25 reports per book, my partner got industrious while doing that overtime on a different ambulance than his regular!

While the cost of these defibs have come down, it kind of reminds me of an ambulance service I used to work for. They had everything the state standards called for, but it was kept under lock and key onboard the ambulances, and that key was in the office. Why? "So you cannot use them. These things cost money!" New management there now, event was over 20 years ago.

I believe "mrmeaner" is trying to say, in quite a few words, and a somewhat stiff way, As some of our people drink from their cup, what they need to do, is just [marq=left:00dad1c9be] LIGHTEN UP! [/font:00dad1c9be] [/marq:00dad1c9be] (and I agree!)

Out of the presence of the family, thank goodness, I heard a paramedic refer to a patient in asystole flatline as "no sails on the horizon."

"But in this type of organization, it's bound to become a PITA eventually." Uh...? A request I make on different strings: Please remember acronyms common to you and your organization might not be common to someone from another part of the county, state/provence, or country. Please spell it out, perhaps bold face the initials making up the acronym, so everyone can know what you are talking about. Having said that...What does "PITA" mean in your posting? (And yes, I'll probably be kicking myself when you tell me.)

Some of the medical facilities work against their own EMS, with advertisements in the newspapers saying, "When you have chest pain, call 9-1-1, and ask the 'Ambulance Drivers' to bring you to (Hospital name omitted, to protect the guilty)", as they have a cardiac specialty unit. I should have mentioned that you cannot blame the call takers at the Public Safety Answering Point, either. Some of the callers are professional. They know the key words that assure a fast response, like "Having chest pain." I heard a training tape, where the caller said his wife was having a baby NOW. The call taker, who happens to be known to me personally, put in the call to our Computer Assisted Dispatch system as an OBOut, per our policies, and gave really good instructions on delivering a baby, all the time reassuring the dad that everything that could be done was being done. There is the sound of a small baby crying in the background, as the dad thanked my call taker for their help, and broke the connection. The ambulance showed up at the location, and...it's an empty lot? The crew requests dispatch call back, and when the phone was picked up, it was a pay phone several miles from the lot. This was before "Star-69' and before Caller ID. Somebody got the department good, with a phony call, complete to sound effects.

As signed into law by then President Gerald R. Ford, EMS Week is the third week in May. I feel it is kind of unfair, that, in most locales, it is the EMS agencies promoting EMS Week, instead of civilian agencies taking a week to honor those of us in EMS during this week. FDNY has, in the past, given us a pin, or a small insulated lunch bag. When they publicize it, they do so as "FDNY EMS Week", like it was not a part of a National week. While I am unavailable to attend, there will be a service honoring all EMS personnel who died in the line of duty, in Roanoke, Virginia. Someone please help me/us by naming the museum where this is going to be, as, regrettably, I have forgotten?