Richard B the EMT

If storm chasers are proceeding through red signal lights and stop signs without stopping, they are just as dangerous as both regular drivers, and Emergency vehicle drivers who do so. LEO? Ticket that jerk!

Because they, like the rest of the US population, male and female, who remember when Dr. Ride first went into space, are in mourning.

NY State minimum age for EMT-B is 18. I know of one became an EMT prior to her 18th birthday, but when the investigation ended, she was already past the 18th birthday, and they left her alone. She retired from EMS activities as a Paramedic Lieutenant, some 20 or so years later. Someone correct me if I am incorrect, but I seem to recall a program in the state of New Jersey, where teenagers as young as 16 were in EMT programs, and riding on some of the community Volunteer Ambulance Corps, but a key word on that was, they NEVER rode without a fully qualified NJ State EMT in the back with them. Teaneck, NJ had several features on the "Emergency Service Ride Along" shows, popular late Saturday night/Sunday mornings in the late 1980s. As for me, when I started in Peninsula Volunteer Ambulance Corps (Rockaway Beach, NY) in 1973, I wanted to drive. The new organization told me, "No", stating "Insurance policies, ya gotta be 21 to drive". I was 19, then.

"Hi, I'm Richard, this is my partner Phulbert. We're Emergency Medical Technicians. What's going on that you called 9-1-1?" If I use the "we only drop patients on" gag, it's always the day of the week prior. I've had problems, as stated, on "taking" vital signs, and prefer saying "I'd like to check out your vital signs", as I show them the BP cuff. Most, if not all, recognize it, even the "passengers" of the Golden Venture (see link http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Venture I was one of the responders), who didn't speak English, just Fijian dialect Chinese.

Planning on becoming the next Starfleet Holographic Medical Officer?

Remember the mantra of the experienced, with a grain of salt: "Rulebooks, laws, and protocols are for newjacks, let us tell you how to really do it..." lol

1) FDNY EMS is usually an 8 hour a day assignment, from training to field posting. Due to next crew personnel calling in sick, or Borough Chiefs deciding, in inclement weather, or citywide disaster situations, to put on additional units, expect overtime (per both Riley's Rules of EMS, and Murphy's Law, whenever you get "Mandated" for overtime, it will be at a time most unwanted by you, but if you want overtime, none will be available). Overtime will be a minimum of 6 hours. 2) Initially, you will be placed in the system at whatever area they need you, at whatever tour they need you. It's called "Needs Of The Service". After you get some seniority, possibility exists that you can transfer to a different station and/or tour. 3) If you're a student, see rule 1. Best explore on-line classes taken at your convenience. 4) FDNY EMS is a full time job, no part time work available. In disclosure, I'm a 38 year experience EMT-B, medically retired at 25 years from FDNY EMS, and pre-FDNY/EMS merger with the former NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation EMS, but who's state certification is good until 2015.

I have to clarify a bit re my last post. I had already been job hunting, and hired at the next company, but they allowed me time to resign from the company that the insurance had dropped. Wow, 5 days off!

September, 1980, at Roosevelt Hospital, NY NY: Offices of the Taylor Ambulance Service. Crews noting that calls done for cash are suddenly being marked as having been canceled, but Medicare, Medicaid, and calls paid for by check remain on the books. Came the day we were all called into the office, and the owner/boss read us a letter from the insurance carrier, stating, in essence, "You've not paid your insurance bill, you've gone past your grace period, so your insurance has been canceled. NY State and NY City Police have been notified of this, and if found operating on any NY State public roadway, vehicles and crew will be arrested." THEN the boss asks if anyone is willing to take out an ambulance to do calls! 4 of our 20 accepted, and the rest got 2 weeks pay as severance. I started at another company the following Monday. I found out about a year later, the owner/boss had been charged with Medicare/Medicaid fraud, and was already in a Federal Correctional Facility.

What about whoever mans the switchboard having a guidebook? Either Dr. Clawson's EMD book or an equivalent might be a good idea for questioning the caller, and making some kind of determination.If that doesn't work, create one of your own using concepts from the book(s).

I think "round" refers to a bullet, but what does that refer to, totally translated? I openly admit not knowing anything about handguns or long barrel weapons.

Just remember, there's several youtube videos of burning ambulances, where the roof gets blown off by the "exploding" main O2 tanks.

OK, I'll be one of the first to admit I'm not usually involved with the research end of our business and that the only constant is change. As always, note one of my "mantras": "Follow your local protocols, as mine might be different from yours". Current protocols might even have me LSB a suspected Shaken Baby Syndrome patient. Past protocols allowed application of Medical Anti Shock Trousers/Pneumatic Anti Shock Garments, until modifications were instituted following Brian Watkins dying from complications to a penetrating chest wound (stabbed in the chest during a mugging) caused by the application of the MAST. Massive bleeding from extremities used to be treated by tourniquet. Protocols changed to use them in cases between "loss of limb versus loss of life", Now, protocols are again changing, as to when to use them. However, the use of tourniquets is heavy in the military, but civilian usage usually follows military discoveries. I'll have to wait until NY State DoH first authorizes Pilot Programs, and my agency is involved in that pilot program. I would love not having to apply the LSB to as many current types of MOI as I do, or use a "scoop" instead of an LSB, However, I follow protocols, until the new protocols are implemented, then, I follow protocols.I admit I may think outside the box, but cannot act until the powers that be, change the box for me. Edited for spelling corrections

I question if the person was actually hit by the electrical energy of a lightning strike, or thrown by the concussion of the thunder. Someone commented being knocked over by a thunder blast at 100 foot range, so this could have been similar. I live less than 3 miles from a former shore defence gun battery (Battery "Harris", at Fort Tilden, NY), that had 2 16 inch diameter inside bore guns. Grandma used to tell me, when the guns were test fired during the 1930s and 1940s, even that far from the guns, pictures fell from the walls, and windows cracked, from the concussion. However, it seems, from the description, that the patient was fully and properly evaluated. By the standards and protocols I follow, an RMA (Refused Medical Assistance) could then be obtained.

Starting as a First Responder or EMT-B at age 41? By some standards, as already commented on here, that's late. However, I do recall one friend and associate, became a NY State EMT at age 55, with my Volunteer Ambulance Corps. He worked for 8 or so years before he moved out of the community, and I lost touch with him (described himself as an EMT: ELDERLY Medical Technician). I'm 58, medically retired (bad back and knees) from gainful employ as an EMT-B, with a NY State DoH cert that will expire in 2015, but am taking CME (Continuing Medical Education) classes like crazy. Some of us end up becoming almost professional students (whoda thunk it, back when I was in Jr High School, that I would go THAT route?), or become instructors. Good Luck, brianamato!

This is a given of NY State protocols. As I understand it, the penetrating object may be acting as a "plug" against bleeding, so don't remove. Seems dj and I are operating on presumption the penetrating object is an impaled one. ...and taking the time to poke fun of the typo, as being short is not a physical injury. Being shot, however, has combined dynamics of the impact, penetration, and internal injuries. The impact energy of a bullet can throw someone around, even someone the size and build of Arnold Schwarzenegger, while wearing soft body armor (NO vest is truly bulletproof). Where did the penetration happen on the body? What did the penetrating? What was penetrated before the object stopped penetrating? If a knife, did the assailant remove the knife? Questions like these will determine if Long Spine Board Immobilization is required, and if the local ER or Trauma Hospital is the destination of choice or necessity.

Joking about electrons is shocking!

So...an electron is a voting machine? A positron is an optimist? A proton is someone favoring what you favor?

Bart is beginning to have the correct idea... http://www.facebook.com/susan.singerpeterson#!/photo.php?fbid=4188795281074&set=a.3683496008908.2166739.1320340102&type=1&theater

When was that released? Must be pre 1996, as the EMSers were in white shirts until then.

Considering the circumstances, while I'm not crosstrained as a Fire Fighter, if I was there, I'd at least be spraying with a garden hose! Anyway, my Lady J and I, with another 68 people who are about to become newly found old friends, are going to watch the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks displays from the "Party Fishing" vessel "Captain Mike", out of Howard Beach, Queens County, NY, from somewhere on the Hudson River.

Just for commentary, what say you on those who wear not only sports team uniforms, when not even on the team or playing the game, and those who wear uniforms with their team "Hero's name on it? I've lost track on how many folks I have seen, wearing baseball (Rounders?) uniforms of Shortstop (a field position) Derick Jeeter, of the New York Yankees, or the uniform of Soccer/Football (I don't know which term is used) star David Beckham. On second thought, I'll start up a new string as to not derail this string (more than already done by me, anyway).

People used to tell me I would not ever amount to anything. then, I became an EMT. Yet my naysayers still inquire what I'm going to do for a living "when I grow up". Hell, I'm medically retired from NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation EMS/FDNY EMS after 25 years, and been in EMS title (at both unpaid volunteer and commercial services) for 38, overall. I think I earned the right to wear an EMS or EMT T-shirt. I'm proud to be an EMT, a "somebody" even if I'm a nobody until they need me.

YET I continue seeing T-shirts from both Fire Departments, EMS providers, and combined Fire/EMS providers, internationally. I know Fire Fighters and EMSers who exchange them, both mine, and those from around the world. Perhaps I should explain, I wear the T-Shirts when I am off duty, or covered by the uniform of the day. You should see the bubblegum pink one I have with a Toucan bird on it, reads "One Can't" on the front, the back reads "But Toucan". Absolutely NOTHING to do with EMS, LEO or FD. That way, folks can identify with me from either my profession (EMS/EMT) or they vacationed there, too.

I do hope you're not referring to me, as I have Star Of Life car licence plates, as issued by the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles, and wear EMS and EMT T-shirts. I refuse to wear a cape, however, as they have a tendency to get caught on things while working, as demonstrated in the movie, "The Incredibles". (LOL) While my car has the plates, and I wear the shirts, I actually make no big deal out of being an EMT. If someone asks, it's usually "yes, I am an EMT. How can I help you?" More times than not, I have to explain what EMTs do, and then further explain I'm not as high in the medical "pecking order" as the Paramedics, why "Ambulance" is in "mirror writing" on the hood, and that, while the EMS in NYC is run by the FDNY, that I am NOT a Fire Fighter. Children seem to fixate on "How fast does the ambulance go?" If I respond to a streetside incident on my own, in my Privately Owned Vehicle, I carry supplies, and the licence plate indicates to the LEOs that I am an EMT willing to stop and render non-transport aid, until the local EMS can arrive. I don't seek out action, but if I happen to stumble across it, I'm there! As for going into someone's private residence, even if I heard the call over the scanner, I consider that verboten, unless a neighbor knocks on my private residence door, requesting my services. (Newcomers to the City, please note the existance of several strings discussing "Legal" versus "Moral" "Duty to Act". Use the search function to locate.) PS: I have no "Tats", either EMS, EMT, or otherwise, and that's by my choice. Those that have them, I'll look, perhaps comment on the artestry, but that's it. PPS: The cartoon I referred to appeared in the same week as the 9-11 Attacks.