LOL @ Pueblo, CO AMR/Fire Response WHY??????????????

[GBFDEMS174]

OK so I just got back from Colorado. Saw Royal Gorge, 7 Falls, Garden of the Gods, etc. Did not get to climb Pikes peak due to weather.

OK here goes my complaint and question. In Pueblo, CO I was in a crowded public building. A person was feeling bad so the facility did call 911. I was on the way back to my van. All of a sudden I hear sirens keep changing of tones I guess to get traffic out of way. Then I realize there is another siren. I think well probably two 911 calls in my area. But no around the corner in the crowded parking lot comes AMR full speed L&S almost missing the facility person trying to wave them down. As if that wasn't bad enough the second siren is getting closer and here comes a large fire ladder truck blasting around the building in the crowded parking lot and it seemed to me almost hitting AMR ambulance, they actually had to back up. AMR crew is already walking cot into building. Several FF's jump out and run up to catch them. OK even though w/o other than a quick glance in my opinion patient was not in bad shape, no signs of distress, was actually smiling. At first I laughed but then I thought what if somebodys small child had been running in the parking lot there would have been no time for the ambulance driver or truck driver to have stopped. Then another thought crossed my mind, what a waste of taxi payer money rolling 2 pieces of equipment, think of cost of fuel, plus wear and tear.

OK enough. So some questions.

1. Even though they were probably responding to an unknown medical should they have been running so fast in a crowded area?

I don't think they should have been running that fast into a crowded area for safety reasons.

2. Is there any justification for dual response?

yes, it could have been an allergic reaction to something and fire could have had more advanced equipment with them.

3. If justified would it be better for second response to come no L&S to minimize risks to public? Honestly no L&S in this case would have only had them arrive 3 or 4 minutes later and AMR could have stopped them if not needed or had them get equipment if needed.

I would say lights only unless its confirmed ALS is absolutly needed.

4. Are we needlessly endangering the public?

If you are going that fast into a parking lot, I would say, yes, you are endangering the publics safety.

I have many more questions/concerns but ................

One last question is this the norm in bigger citys?

I just cannot wrap my mind around such a waste of resources when at times we work with only one medic on the ambulance and end up with multiple serious patients on our one ambulance.

[Dustdevil]

Okay, while we're bashing Colorado, here's my complaint:

Someone calling themselves "Esther Mims" in Aurora, Colorado somehow got hold of my credit card number last week and racked up a two-day, $3500 dollar tab before I caught it. So Dwayne, if you see somebody walking around in a new sun dress and sandals from PacSun.com, carrying FTD roses and a plasma television, hold her for me. :evil:

[EmergencyMedicalTigger]

Okay, while we're bashing Colorado, here's my complaint:

Someone calling themselves "Esther Mims" in Aurora, Colorado somehow got hold of my credit card number last week and racked up a two-day, $3500 dollar tab before I caught it. So Dwayne, if you see somebody walking around in a new sun dress and sandals from PacSun.com, carrying FTD roses and a plasma television, hold her for me. :evil:

Dust,

Tell the truth...you're just jealous that you didn't think of buying yourself a cute sundress and plasma with your credit card.

[jsadin]

2. Is there any justification for dual response?

yes, it could have been an allergic reaction to something and fire could have had more advanced equipment with them.

Are you sh*tting me? Why the f*** would fire have more advanced equipment than the ambulance for handling an anaphylactic reaction??

[Just Plain Ruff]

BLS Ambulance responds for transport - ALS Pumper has all the toys

Just one option

Are you sh*tting me? Why the f*** would fire have more advanced equipment than the ambulance for handling an anaphylactic reaction??

[JakeEMTP]

Your run of the mill cardiac arrest around here will get you a fire truck, either ladder or engine depending on the month, an ALS ambulance, a BLS ambulance, a cop and maybe an EMS supervisor.

:shock: Really?

Here it's my partner and myself, usually a LEO. If we need a driver, we'll call for a hosemonkey. 9 times out of 10 though, we won't transport at all.

Spenac my friend, that just sounds farked up.

[jsadin]

BLS Ambulance responds for transport - ALS Pumper has all the toys

Just one option

I understand that can happen, but do you agree that it's FUBAR if it does? One ALS ambulance would save time, money and personnel. Rolling a diesel guzzling engine on an ambulance call is wasteful beyond all reason.

[Just Plain Ruff]

but rolling that diesel guzzling fire truck on Every single medical call no matter what the medical call is is how most fire departments justify their budgets.

No calls - no money.

[Flasurfbum]

Sounds a lot like Orange County. My personal favorite is the triple response. FD engine or ladder truck, FD type 2 ALS ambulance, and private company ambulance (since the OC Fire Authority ambulance doesn't transport). The FD almost always responds code 3 with the private company normally responding code 2.

OCFRD, in Florida?

That is true..............for now.

Review the latest plans for the removal of Rut/Ro, and you will see that they will be responding to the City of Orlando ONLY starting next fiscal year.

[Flasurfbum]

OK enough. So some questions.

1. Even though they were probably responding to an unknown medical should they have been running so fast in a crowded area?

Even responding to a reported cardiac arrest, you have to respond with due regard. Sounds like someone needs remediation EVOC

2. Is there any justification for dual response?

In my opinion, yes. In many areas, FD will be closer. I like to have an Engine Co. on scene to assist with tasks, vitals, writing, lifting, carrying, it never hurts to have another set of trained hands. However, many depts have gotten smart, and split the Co. into an Engine, and Squad Co., with the Squad a smaller vehicle that takes med calls, leaving half an Engine to respond, and saving fuel.

3. If justified would it be better for second response to come no L&S to minimize risks to public? Honestly no L&S in this case would have only had them arrive 3 or 4 minutes later and AMR could have stopped them if not needed or had them get equipment if needed.

If the first unit on scene sees no reason for the first to be there urgently, or at all, there is no reason they should continue in L&S, or even at all. Shame on them for not recalling them.

4. Are we needlessly endangering the public?

By recklessly responding, and keeping units responding, when they can be recalled? Yes. However, I am of the (rather unpopular around here) opinion that Fire should be rolling on ALS type emergencies.

I have many more questions/concerns but ................

One last question is this the norm in bigger citys?

Depends on the city. Most career depts that I worked with responded to ALS calls only.

I just cannot wrap my mind around such a waste of resources when at times we work with only one medic on the ambulance and end up with multiple serious patients on our one ambulance.

Around here, multiple critical, or serious pts results on multiple medics in the back.