|
Post by 911wacker on Nov 22, 2003 19:13:09 GMT -5
EMS is needed for the just in case things, Fire Departments hold protecting their own as sacred ground. We (all EMS providers) provide them peice of mind while performing in less than desirable situations. If I was to repond without L&S to a fire scene and something should go wrong I can change my response mode enroute when advised of potential patients etc., or as usually happens EMS is at the scene before very much firefighter happens anyway(becuase we are paged with the department).
|
|
|
Post by 911wacker on Dec 15, 2003 21:17:43 GMT -5
The following is a direct quote from the mandatory policy regarding lights and sirens and their usage from the BSEMS Council: "L&S may only be used when transporting or responding to a call involving a patient who presents or is in good faith percieved to present a combination of curcumstances resulting in a need for immediate medical attention" I just had to revisit this subject, I didn't feel that a good explination was put forth of why people (ambulances) respond emergency lights and siren mode to a stand-bye with no patient.
|
|
Omega
New Member
Posts: 9
|
Post by Omega on Jan 3, 2004 21:02:03 GMT -5
I was always preached to about "If you do not get yourself there safely then you are not helping anyone." The scenario that you give about a stand by with no patients reported, I feel, would fall into the charlie responce catagory. You do not want to assume that there are not any patients where at the same time you do not want to assume that there are some either. You know what assuming makes out of you and me. This is a situation where you want to travel at least the speed limit [get around those 5-10 mile per hour people] but not beyond. I am from the sticks and can imagine that in town it would be a little different when it comes to lights and sirens just because of the traffic. The traffic could hinder your response time more, but what are you responding to. The hard part is, you NEVER know. The great part is, NO MATTER WHAT YOU DO SOMEONE IS GOING TO FIND SOMETHING WRONG WITH IT. The most important thing to remember [with all of the situations] is that your own safety comes first, then your partner, then everyone else around, then the patient. I agree that lights and sirens are tools. There is nothing wrong with using them and they can be a help. The big issue is how people drive when they have the lights and sirens on. Are they still driving defensively or are they thinking that they own the road and that others should be on the defensive. I have driven with lights and sirens and have obeyed all traffic laws at the same time. Why? Because I needed to get to a situation, traffic was preventing me from doing that in a reasonable amount of time. I still obeyed traffic laws [ie. stopping at the stop sign] because other "idiots" on the road may not give the right of way even with lights and sirens on. Would it be their fault if they hit me? Yes, but that still does not clear my conscience if they were injured, nor does it protect me from getting sued. [And in this country the insurance co. would probably pay them off just to avoid going to a jury trial and possibly loosing.] Further more, getting hit, just prevented me from getting to the situation I was dispatched for in the first place, and lets not discuss the extra resorces now needed for a second situation. As for the question of whether EMS is needed on a fire scene or not? Yes. We automatically park ourselves out of the way but close to the action then inform the IC of where we are. Our people usually take over dealing with family members, neighbors, and spectators. We also do rehab. Besides I get to piss off firefighters by not allowing them to go back to firefighting because of blood-pressure or heart rate after so long of doing their job or having air packs. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Betcha that statement ruffled some feathers. Again personal safety!!!!!! Besides what if a firefighter did go down, I would want to be there to help them asap. That is all for now.
|
|
|
Post by CMTMedic on Mar 24, 2004 22:24:38 GMT -5
|
|
|
Post by canton1 on Mar 25, 2004 2:48:44 GMT -5
I have to agree that there are alot of times that lights and all the stuff is not needed BUT.......................
When do we start NAGGING on the other part
1. Saying you are reponding before you really do!!! a. Don't give me that---we are moving toward the ambulance---If BLS did that they would get slapped
2. Responding to a DELTA priority call a. Without lights or sirens b. Taking our GOOD OLE time
I agree with all your coments, but why do we always rag on the ones that do it for nothing. I am sorry I just dont get the EMS stuff.
|
|
|
Post by gizmo2 on Mar 25, 2004 10:11:25 GMT -5
I have to agree with Kim. But me opinion and just mine is politics have got thier hands into the matter more than they should. Not only in the EMS field but the Vol.Fire servive.
|
|
|
Post by 911wacker on Mar 27, 2004 12:29:25 GMT -5
B. Monitor percentage of “911” calls using L & S during response to EMS calls. Routine or scheduled transports should be excluded. [Potential benchmark < 50% of responses with L&S] C. Review for documentation of reason for L&S transport when patient does not meet criteria listed in section A.13.b –A.13.h. D. Monitor percentage of urgent /emergent (“911”) calls using L & S during transport. [Potential benchmark > 90-95% of patients transported without L&S] Now we are getting somewhere, but where have all those darn people gone that think every call is an out an out emergency now?? ;D
|
|
|
Post by canton1 on Mar 28, 2004 12:41:40 GMT -5
I am right here STERMER , I am one of those LOSERS, Oh wait, SO are you. Just remember that you used to be WHACKER!!!!!!!! Then you joined EMS Quit the 911 Center Run so few FIRE calls guess you have to change your user name to something like : USED TO BE WHACKER
|
|
|
Post by 911wacker on Mar 29, 2004 10:32:15 GMT -5
Hey Chief Jennings, First off, I was not refering to you. I was only hinting to those who discussed so adimently early on and since facts have been posted still have not rejoined the discusion. So CALM DOWN Martha!! ;D P.S. - I have reconsidered my resignation at the 911 center, didn't think I could have given it up did you!?!?
|
|
|
Post by canton1 on Mar 29, 2004 23:59:45 GMT -5
Hey Sterm BOY, I never said you were talking bout me. Just had to bust your ??
|
|
|
Post by canton1 on Mar 30, 2004 0:03:06 GMT -5
Scott, tell us how you really feel. But, how do you know it is just a stand-by? many times in my 20+ years in EMS Ok nothing to put here but I guess I missed part of that before..... My god Todd.... 20 Years---you are almost as old as----well never mind By the way, thanks for letting me attend the banquet.
|
|
|
Post by Firegirl on Mar 31, 2004 20:28:33 GMT -5
You let Kim go to the banquet??
|
|