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Pagers
Oct 13, 2006 0:26:28 GMT -5
Post by Medic13 on Oct 13, 2006 0:26:28 GMT -5
Is there some sort of secret function in pagers to make them trip only when a Fire or MVA trailer is set with the tones?
...sarcastic? Me? Nah!
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Pagers
Oct 14, 2006 6:44:05 GMT -5
Post by rob13t1 on Oct 14, 2006 6:44:05 GMT -5
I think you can have them programed to only go off when something "good" is happening so that you arent bothered with boring,everyday calls.
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Pagers
Oct 14, 2006 13:19:37 GMT -5
Post by Medic12 on Oct 14, 2006 13:19:37 GMT -5
also known as trauma or working fire pagers
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Pagers
Oct 14, 2006 17:08:02 GMT -5
Post by chief322 on Oct 14, 2006 17:08:02 GMT -5
You would think that motorola, with all its techinical know how, would come up with a marketing genius.
Make a pager for the wackers that goes off for everything and one that goes off for those of us that are on the select-o-call program. I know that I am really, really tiring of hitting the reset button on all these BS calls. If the damn thing is going to be tripped, it should be worth something to get a hard on for!
Again, and as usual, just my opinion.
Tim
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Pagers
Oct 15, 2006 0:41:54 GMT -5
Post by Medic13 on Oct 15, 2006 0:41:54 GMT -5
Well I'm glad I'm not the only person who thinks motorola is sporting some sort of conspiracy here.
All sarcasm aside, the topic does actually have a meaning. It's bad enough to have specific members who only run hot calls, but what can be done when an entire ambulance service has this problem? For example, a BLS service in this county with a significant history of no-shows recently missed 5 out of 6 calls in a 24 hour period... responding only to a fire standby. Apparently the 5 patients that needed an ambulance were less important than sitting at a fire. I understand the glory aspect, but what's the point in running EMS if you don't give a damn about the citizens in your community? Wouldnt it be more beneficial just to get the nearest competent service started right off the bat instead of making everyone wonder if this call warrants a response from the local ambulance? So much is discussed about volunteer staffing issues, but as far as I can see, most services like this have more of a problem with the existing staff than an actual lack of responders. Where is the line drawn between staffing issues and attitude problems? How many calls does a service have to miss before the "powers that be" decide enough is enough? As a disclaimer... this is not an attack on volunteers or any one service in particular. EMS, both paid and volunteer, is evolving. Those who dont want to evolve with it need to hang up their hats and clear the way for the ones who do.
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Pagers
Oct 15, 2006 11:25:39 GMT -5
Post by 4157 on Oct 15, 2006 11:25:39 GMT -5
It's like a boat. The boat is a service; and the ocean is the EMS Industry, the future, etc. The waters are calm for both career and volunteer EMS. But, the path can be either smooth or choppy. Your ship's head officer is dropping cannon balls on the deck, and one has punched through. Your doing all you can to keep her afloat. Some of the crew are on their knees helping bail water out with medicine cups, some are waiting for her to go under-because they don't care; and others are getting on a life boat. The crew who has worked and put all they can possibly give into the boat are on their knees, the water covers their mouth. They have no voice, but are still working feverishly to keep the water from covering their nose. They know if it does, they won't be strong enough to swim. Either way, the boat will sink, and someone will go down with it. So, who can blame the few that got on the life boat early, and drifted away?
Your "powers that be" once said that "bad was better than none". So, I'm afraid to know the answer to that. It will probably grind to a hault when someone of political importance has to wait too long. That is usually how it works, for anything.. isn't it?
Volunteer EMS is Dying; and it can be a direct result of any of the factors above. IMO, it seems people can't be convinced to do anything for free in this modern day.
Proboards needs to put the delete button somewhere else, it's too close to modify.
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Pagers
Oct 15, 2006 20:32:30 GMT -5
Post by 911wacker on Oct 15, 2006 20:32:30 GMT -5
While this issue may have some merrit to it, there are many services who only have a few people who actually respond......if these responders are out of town, or at work etc. then of course they won't be able to get out.
Find the answer to this issue and become a rich fellow!!
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Pagers
Oct 16, 2006 11:22:08 GMT -5
Post by FIREFIGHTER16 on Oct 16, 2006 11:22:08 GMT -5
This is a very good topic of discussion. In my years at the center i have seen most BLS agencies go with a dual response from the appropriate ALS agency due to lack of volunteers. My personal opinion is, this should take its course, because in the future you will see that BLS service start getting out the door more and more on every page. And if that BLS service doesn't get along with ALS crews, suck it up, we are all here for the same reason.
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Pagers
Oct 16, 2006 14:33:10 GMT -5
Post by Medic13 on Oct 16, 2006 14:33:10 GMT -5
it seems people can't be convinced to do anything for free in this modern day. This is a common misconception in EMS, at least in this county. For one, I don't know a single medic or EMT who is in EMS for the money. It just doesn't pay. I could have gone to one of the local industries and made almost twice what I was making running EMS. Two, when I go in for a 2nd or 3rd due call at 10am after just working 3rd shift, I can assure you I didn't do it for that whopping $9 I just made. I can also assure you it doesn't matter if it's an MVA or a granny-fall-down-go-boom. Since I don't want this thread to go too far off-topic, I won't go into why I no longer run volunteer EMS, but I can assure you it has nothing to do with money. I'm aware that some volunteer rigs only have a few regular responders. That's an issue in itself. My problem is with the services that consistently fail to crew for medicals, yet never seem to have this problem with a fire or MVA. This isn't your typical volunteer staffing issue... it shows that the members just don't want to respond to medicals. I just don't understand how someone can simply reach over and reset their pager not once, but three times, when a fellow member of their community needs help... then run out sometimes minutes later to sit and watch a fire, or take a refusal at a fender bender.
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Pagers
Oct 17, 2006 4:11:23 GMT -5
Post by youngblood on Oct 17, 2006 4:11:23 GMT -5
As a paid provider in the county, I totally agree with that all calls need to be answered not just the "glory calls". Most of us started as volunteers. I can remember getting up at 2am to put grandma back in bed when I was a volunteer. Most of the medical patients will thank you for coming in their hour of need. That is one of the most rewarding feelings and the reason I entered EMS. Yes, the calls that are bloody, gory and make the front page of the newspaper are nice, but the majority of our business is the medicals. The medicals keep fuel and supplies in the ambulance. Plus you're helping a member of your community that you could meet at the grocery store. I think some people have forgotten why they initially started in the EMS field and they need to be reminded. At one point in their life, they will need an ambulance and they will want that ambulance there in timely fashion. If they can't remember why they want to do this job, it's time for them to leave and let someone else take over who will do the job correctly.
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Pagers
Oct 17, 2006 12:21:22 GMT -5
Post by 4157 on Oct 17, 2006 12:21:22 GMT -5
it seems people can't be convinced to do anything for free in this modern day. I don't know a single medic or EMT who is in EMS for the money. I didn't say that, but you can stretch my words any way you wish, if it makes you feel better. Free doesn't [glow=red,2,300] only [/glow] apply to the absence of a pay check. Material incentives. We're not talking people walking in off the street with an EMT card, and five years as an ambulance driver.. The answer to any question in this topic is so open ended, you could give yourself a headache even trying to formulate a guess. You can hold someones hand, and pull them into the fire and let them stand among us. But if they aren't willing to walk on their own, you should walk away. You won't be able to force knowledge and experience into their head as well.
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Pagers
Oct 17, 2006 16:47:40 GMT -5
Post by Medic13 on Oct 17, 2006 16:47:40 GMT -5
Free doesn't only apply to the absence of a pay check. Material incentives... Gotcha. Didn't think it was meant to be deeper than meets the eye Well said. I agree 100% So many people think the problem is just a matter of recruitment. It's absolutely one of the issues. But what's the sense in trying to fill the bucket before patching the hole in the bottom (or however that saying goes...I dunno)
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9Wacker1
Full Member
Wacker - and proud of it!
Posts: 54
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Pagers
Oct 19, 2006 9:03:43 GMT -5
Post by 9Wacker1 on Oct 19, 2006 9:03:43 GMT -5
Recruitment is really the easy part of the equation - it's the retention that's hard. It takes commitment and a real sense of responsibility to get up for a fluff call at 2am. (Granted, I don't always want to roll out of my warm bed and take a drive either, but that's what I signed up for.) However, I am noticing more and more that this is not just an EMS problem - it's a community (maybe national) problem. We have the same issues in church, Boy Scouts, Little League, and about a dozen other organization I could name. And it isn't new. In college we were taught the 80/20 principle - 80% of the work is done by 20% of the people. Do the math for your volunteer group. I'll bet that's pretty close.
Why are our friends and neighbors so complacent? Every town wants fire and EMS and these other groups - so why don't they want to help run and staff them? If we could answer that, even just partly, then we might solve some of the issues mentioned.
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Pagers
Oct 19, 2006 19:10:40 GMT -5
Post by Old & Bold EMS on Oct 19, 2006 19:10:40 GMT -5
Love the post and the passion . My post is POINTED at US , EMS Directly into the mirror of EMS, Turn on the lights get out the windex -- lets look inside
it goes deeper and dirtier than that , just listen to us out there , does it ever sound like some EMS Guys are dodging calls , you know , the "your closer than I am " Picking calls --- not us ? . Ever been around EMS Folks that seem to not like or be able to tolerate SICK people , people in pain , you know you have , not just the volunteers my friends, or the smaller departments, happens everyday at every level of care in all departments. Don't believe me ? listen to the scanner for a week. Or listen to the gang talk at the garage about thier last P.I.A. patient at the garage .
Thanks for the Rant space . Now for the fix !!!!
#1 EMS is considered a Transport agency , not real honest to goodness healthcare , check it for yourselves , We get paid by the mile , thats right folks like fed ex , Not for the Training or the risks, sure they bump it up For level of care. But until the day that we are considered Health care Pros , not AMBULANCE Drivers the rut deepens.
#2 How many career or volunteer Folks out there are satisfied enough with their EMS job to actually tell people what a great career EMS is and how great it could be in the future , would you recommend Career or volunteer EMS To your children ? So it is as easy as this . Be Proud of what you do , take pride in the Job , Try to treat every call and every Patient like it is the last one you are ever going to Treat , sounds simple and old school , kinda corny - well it is and you will occasionaly fail ( I know I do ) but try it for a month, set the example and let me know how it works out. If you fail the first month try again , if after the 2nd month you just DO NOT GET IT, please get the hell out of EMS .
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Pagers
Oct 19, 2006 21:07:53 GMT -5
Post by 911wacker on Oct 19, 2006 21:07:53 GMT -5
Love the post and the passion . My post is POINTED at US , EMS Directly into the mirror of EMS, Turn on the lights get out the windex -- lets look inside it goes deeper and dirtier than that , just listen to us out there , does it ever sound like some EMS Guys are dodging calls , you know , the "your closer than I am " Picking calls --- not us ? . Ever been around EMS Folks that seem to not like or be able to tolerate SICK people , people in pain , you know you have , not just the volunteers my friends, or the smaller departments, happens everyday at every level of care in all departments. Don't believe me ? listen to the scanner for a week. Or listen to the gang talk at the garage about thier last P.I.A. patient at the garage . Thanks for the Rant space . Now for the fix !!!! #1 EMS is considered a Transport agency , not real honest to goodness healthcare , check it for yourselves , We get paid by the mile , thats right folks like fed ex , Not for the Training or the risks, sure they bump it up For level of care. But until the day that we are considered Health care Pros , not AMBULANCE Drivers the rut deepens. #2 How many career or volunteer Folks out there are satisfied enough with their EMS job to actually tell people what a great career EMS is and how great it could be in the future , would you recommend Career or volunteer EMS To your children ? So it is as easy as this . Be Proud of what you do , take pride in the Job , Try to treat every call and every Patient like it is the last one you are ever going to Treat , sounds simple and old school , kinda corny - well it is and you will occasionaly fail ( I know I do ) but try it for a month, set the example and let me know how it works out. If you fail the first month try again , if after the 2nd month you just DO NOT GET IT, please get the hell out of EMS . Its nice to hear from our own local EMS legend himself, and you couldn't have put it any plainer Jim. Thanks for your insight!!
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