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Post by Captain17 on Jul 31, 2004 20:30:30 GMT -5
Yes, I agree that if a service has a QRS service they must be committed to the community they serve. As far as not having EMT's, ACT 45 does not require EMT's to manpower a QRS unit. This is only for BLS Ambulances. That may change in the near future. Only two PA DOH First Responders or ARC Emergency Responders are necessary. EMT staffing is nice to have on QRS, but it is not always possible.
EMS Captain 17 Clinton County Station 17 Lamar, PA
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Post by 911wacker on Aug 1, 2004 0:08:37 GMT -5
I could be wrong but I do believe that New Albany is now under the new dispatch policy for QRS, which means that they only get sent to the higher priority calls. They used to get dispatched to every medical call. As far as them showing up all the time, even bigger agencies with more manpower find themselves not being able to get out at one time or another. Everyone is having manpower issues, this is a problem thats just not going to go away. I am pretty sure that the regional council tracks these and looks for trends. If there is a problem, I'm sure it will get the needed attention!!
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Miki
New Member
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Post by Miki on Aug 1, 2004 9:38:02 GMT -5
I am not from your area and have been out of EMS for about 3 years now. I am not familiar with QRS and would like to know what it is, how it is supposed to function and if it is run by the fire company or EMS. This thread would be a little less confusing if I knew that info. Thanks.
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Post by Chris VanDruff on Aug 1, 2004 12:53:18 GMT -5
Here in Ridgebury. I can only speak of what I know so I will limit it to Ridgebury. QRS is run by the fire company we are a fortunate Dept to have 8 EMT's running with our dept. The QRS falls under the fire cheifs authority but we may look into a QRS capt at some point with the increasing responsibilties. As far as responding, even with manpower issues we get out if we are called. Again with the new dispatch policies that I am not totally familiar with we only get dispatched for certain criteria. It is even frustrating to us as QR members when we here a call go out that we might think should be QR'd but isnt. Now if its not QR dispatched and an ambulance service needs lifting assistance than have it dispatched. I dont know the case at hand but I know TEXTMOST of our guys will be willing to help if they are called. Honestly we are not perfect we may miss a call but there is usually a real good reason like nobody is around but that is very rare even if its only 2 guys at 1:00 pm. hope this helps sorry it doesnt answer the posted question, I can only speak of what I am familiar with.
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Post by canton1 on Aug 1, 2004 21:40:52 GMT -5
Blue,
One of the things to consider is using the Fire Department for Lifting assistance. As a department that has QR it is and can be very different. No all of my pwoplw have the QR tone nor the training but a very happy to come give a helping hand. Most to not respond to QR calls with the exception of a few that respond to the station as a driver. Maybe someone need to talk to the department chief and QR captain and see what can be worked out. Maybe a different set of tones would help your situation.
Yes, I think if the agency does QR they need to get out the door. BSEMS has shut down EMS agencies for not responding maybe they need to look at QRS also.
The way I understood it when we started was (and I may be wrong) you had to have atleast a FR to respond as a QR agency!
MIKI----
QRS is Quick Response Service. It is basically a group of people that do not have a Ambulance in thier organization that respond to the scene ahead of a ambulance and have the training (first responder,EMT) to aid the patient till and amulance can arrive for transport. We added the service to Canton Fire Department to aid Western Alliance Emergecny Services in getting to the patients faster. We have both First Responders and EMT's and WE HAVE MADE A DIFFERENCE.
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Post by canton1 on Aug 1, 2004 21:44:02 GMT -5
Blue,
In Bradford County QRS is controlled by the EMS council just like ambulances are. Every thing we do is set up by them. The priority thing is set up by Medical Priority Dispatch criteria. It is based off what info is gathered by the caller.
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Miki
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Post by Miki on Aug 2, 2004 8:48:51 GMT -5
Thank you for answering my questions. QRS seems like it would be an invaluable service especially in rural areas.
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Post by 911wacker on Aug 2, 2004 14:22:22 GMT -5
OK Folks, We all agree that QRS is a great service to the community. I am just going to throw this one out there for DISCUSION.
In your opinions would QRS better serve SOME communities that are geographicly close to the ALS services that have crews 24/7 on duty??
Keep in mind these communities have BLS ambulance service already but are so close to the ALS company, many times they arrive the same time or after ALS. My thought was that if they acted in a QRS mode, the patients would likely see quicker initial care on a high percentage of the calls.
[glow=red,2,300]What are your thoughts, fears, etc.??[/glow]
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Post by Chris VanDruff on Aug 2, 2004 18:41:52 GMT -5
I Love that idea I think especially in this community where so many of are volunteers and our children are a part of it from day one I think it would be very well recepted.
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Post by canton1 on Aug 2, 2004 22:47:34 GMT -5
OK Folks, We all agree that QRS is a great service to the community. I am just going to throw this one out there for DISCUSION. In your opinions would QRS better serve SOME communities that are geographicly close to the ALS services that have crews 24/7 on duty?? Keep in mind these communities have BLS ambulance service already but are so close to the ALS company, many times they arrive the same time or after ALS. My thought was that if they acted in a QRS mode, the patients would likely see quicker initial care on a high percentage of the calls. [glow=red,2,300]What are your thoughts, fears, etc.??[/glow] In this question Scott are you stating that ALS is available 24/7 and what is its Depth available. Yes it would be but, I know for one that it is not always available in MY communitee. You also need to look at the availability of 2nd due and greater calls. As a dispatcher I know how this is a real problem for MOST ALS companies (note I said Most). Seems to me it is to much about a paycheck anymore!!
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Post by 911wacker on Aug 3, 2004 11:09:45 GMT -5
Well Chief,
In your town this would not be a feasable option.
And no this question was not posed because of a paycheck or greed for any reason. Only a question to challenge the minds and make people ask, is it really worth it in some cases?
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Post by canton1 on Aug 3, 2004 14:21:01 GMT -5
SO, Does that mean that it is better to wait?
What about paid EMT's?
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Post by Firemedic on Aug 3, 2004 15:23:20 GMT -5
Maybe these guys are on the right track, its done in alot of places. If responders go as QRS, they routinely arrive at the patients side faster to provide care (good thing). This is instead of reponding to a ambulance station and awaiting a crew to respond and only arrive apprx. the same time as another ALS unit that can do the same transportation (not such a good thing). It's a win-win situation for some places. Granted this will not be appropriate for all places given location of transport ALS or BLS units, response times and the like.
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Post by chief322 on Aug 3, 2004 17:24:24 GMT -5
As most of you all know I am the anti-medical. This is not to say that EMS doesn't have its place, it just doesn't have a place for Tim.
However, still having the CFO (Chief Fire Officer for you wannabee's) in my blood, I certainly can see the importance of having a QRS in your jurisdiction. I personally use Canton as a clear cut example when I explain it from a "fire side".
My mind changed around 3-4 years ago. Monroeton had just returned from a job around 0700. I still had guys milling about the station. Memorial (ALS; our primary EMS provider for the boro/toiwnship) had been dispatched for unresponsive in the boro app. 1/4 of a mile from the station. Her husband called 911 when she dropped and the dispatchers tried to talk him through CPR, which he told them he couldn't do. In the end this woman was pronounced upon arrival of the primary EMS providers. Had we (Dept. 7) been a Q-Unit, maybe we could have made the difference. Maybe not, but who knows.
ALthough Monroeton isn't a QRS department, IMHO it should be. Even though my primary EMS company is a fully staffed 24/7 paid crew, time/distance plays a part. Dept. 7 now, at the very least runs an AED, which is available should it be needed.
I have no problem turning any patient over to EMS upon arrival. EMS are the knowledgeable ones in these situations. QRS only strengthens the patient care abilities in a timely manner. I hate to sound cold here, but from a "fire side" opinion, it is great PR and a good tool for political reasons.
Again, just my opinion from an NFT (no formal training).
Tim chief322@epix.net
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Post by Captain17 on Aug 3, 2004 20:44:59 GMT -5
In reference to having EMT classes in high schools. My Alma Mater of Bellefonte Area High School has an EMT as a health elective for Juniors and Seniors. This has sparked an interest in many of the students who either join the fire department or the local ambulance.
I had taken my EMT class as a Junior in high school when it was not an elective, but held at the vo-tech.
I hope more of the young population becomes interested in EMS.
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