NT1
Full Member
Administrator
Be part of the solution not the problem.
Posts: 80
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Post by NT1 on Jul 21, 2006 21:24:31 GMT -5
Do they go hand in hand or should they. To those who do run QRS how do you have it set up and how is it going. Is the call volume to much or just right. What would you recommend for a department that is considering all option of running QRS.
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Post by 2Truck on Jul 22, 2006 13:58:16 GMT -5
Down in the metro Harrisburg area most every department runs medical assist for the local EMS services. Most people only run it for Class 1 (ALS calls) when the first due BLS unit is committed to another incident and second or third due is dispatched. Being that the population is denser in the metro area these calls occur on a regular basis. At the UAFD we carry med bags on all of our rigs (for our own on the fire ground) and currently run our Rescue/Engine and/or Utility on these types of calls. On the above mentioned rigs we also carry an AED, suction unit, Pediatric Bag, and immobilization equipment. For those looking to purchase equipment most of the items, with the exception of pediatric equipment, are able to be purchased through Fireman's Relief.
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Post by GVEMS11 on Jul 22, 2006 21:57:28 GMT -5
Rescue and QRS/EMS definitely go hand in hand. The issue of rescue running QRS calls is entirely different. A rescue operation, though, can not be successful if the needs of the patient are not attended to during the process. Over the past few years, the State has recognized this too. The rescue (basic vehicle and special vehicle) courses are now Dept of Health curriculum courses. Agencies that participate in the State's Voluntary Rescue Service Recognition Program must also carry a minimum of EMS equipment (which is in reality very similar to the list for QRS agencies... go figure!) AND have at least one rescuer (or more depending on the level of the rescue) that is cross-trained in EMS. And guess who administers the Rescue Service Recognition Program -- the Dept. of Health, Bureau of EMS!
Unfortunately, the days of EMS-based rescue companies are waning. There are still several in the area that are EMS-based, including GVEMS (certified as an ALS Squad), Tunkhannock Ambulance Assoc., Cottage Hose Co. Ambulance (outside Scranton), Plains EMS & Rescue (north of Wilkes-Barre), Kingston Twp. EMS & Rescue (also Luzerne County), and some major players in the Pittsburgh area -- Ross/West View EMS, Baldwin EMS, and even the City of Pittsburgh EMS (http://www.city.pittsburgh.pa.us/ems/html/rescue_division.html). However, at one time, EMS-based was much more prominent. Look at who we had around here: Memorial EMS & Rescue, Troy Ambulance had rescue, Montrose Minute Men had rescue, etc...
Sure, its very easy at the scene of an MVA to put a bunker coat and helmet on an EMS provider and stick him or her in the car to provide patient care during the extrication evolution, and this is usually sufficient for the situation. However, what happens when the incident is more challenging, like a high angle rope rescue or a confined space rescue? These situations require personnel with both rescue AND EMS backgrounds, training, and equipment to effect a rescue that addresses the needs of the rescuee. Its not an option to put a harness on any EMS provider and hook him or her to a rope. In these situations, the rescue company must address the needs of the situation and those of the patient.
Now, do I think that all rescues should be 100% EMS-based and ALS capable? Of course not -- that would never be practical. But those agencies that do rescue must also realize that they have an obligation to perform the rescue effectively and efficiently, and also have perhaps an even greater obligation to be very patient care-oriented. The State is taking steps toward this end. But it is the responsibility of the rescue services to make sure that they are both equipped and trained to perform an effective rescue. That is, one that ensures that the needs of the patient -- both the need to be extricated AND the need to be cared for during that extrication -- be met. So what's the answer? CROSS-TRAINING! Couple the cross-training with the reality that rescue is there for the PATIENT and you will have a more effective system. Rescue is not about popping doors and cutting roofs. Rescue is about the safe and efficient removal of a patient that has entered into the emergency medical services system.
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lycocapt
Full Member
Lead, follow or get out of the way..........
Posts: 80
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Post by lycocapt on Jul 23, 2006 13:24:12 GMT -5
GVEMS hit it on the head. Sadly enough though there are many..."rescue"..... units out there that would disagree. Anybody can buy equipment and a truck to put it on, but it's the properly trained personnel that make it a true rescue.
"Rescue is not about popping doors and cutting roofs. Rescue is about the safe and efficient removal of a patient that has entered into the emergency medical services system."
I like that. I'll use it the next chance I get.
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Post by 4157 on Jul 25, 2006 13:57:41 GMT -5
I had to think about this before I replied, wouldn't want to stir anyones' pot too much. EMS and Rescue are the two most important subject when it comes to care "in the field"; but they are the two that are the farthest apart in the minds of most. As I was told by a S.E. Bradford firefighter "you do your job, and we'll do ours, but we aren't here to work together". How in the hell do people like that end up in emergency services?
If EMS(QRS is still EMS), and Rescue are going to be one organization working side by side, then proper cross training is a must. The Cross Training thread should be combined with this one! No firefighter, in any form, should be with out some type of emergency care training. Be it Advanced First Aid, First Responder, EMT or Medic. I'm not saying everyone needs to be an EMT, but if you look at (MOST) career fire services, they all have to trained to some basic level. I tell them, even if there isn't an EMT on scene, if a firefighter is in trouble, treat them. Give them oxygen, call for a rig to transport. It's asinine to sit and watch someone suffer with a truck full of equipment there. But IMO, every firefighter should be certified to a level where if anything, they can at least know how to provide aid to a brother or sister firefighter. The big concern is topping EMS Con-ed on top of firefighting training. Well, many of the rescue classes offer con-ed points, and if you can rack up 12 hours of rescue, you only need 12 more in medical, given CPR & AED updates, upkeep on Epi certs, and a few others, you're okay anyway, and it's really not that much more than we spend weekly sucking water out of a pond and putting it back in.
Now to the actual certification of QRS, you have to be willing to follow the standards set by the Commonwealth, protocols, equipment, staffing, etc. None of this local EMS region BS w/ loopholes, etc. If your not willing to do it right, don't try to do it half assed. Best to have it done through the state DOH website, rather than locally, unless local leadership has changed in the past two years.
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Post by 921batt on Jul 27, 2006 19:45:59 GMT -5
A little help here guys and gals. It appears that the entire emergency service (along with many other agencies) have adopted the acronym as the standard of communication. Well I got to tell ya after 25 years of this S.H.I.T (Syntax. Hype. In. Terminology.) I am getting a little confused and tired of it!
Follow this.
I responded to a working structure fire last week and we had a 3.5 story semi (M.F.D.) with heavy fire showing side Charlie Division 2. Well being the I.C.-B/C-2 I filled the box and assigned E-6 as the F.A.S.T. team, the I.A.H.T with S.C.B.A's donned stretched a 1.75 P.C.L. to darken the fire as the B.U.S.L. was manned by the 2nd due engine. The extra ladder L-4 was our P.S.T. and reported negative findings, while L-2 provided R.R.V. and P.P.V. Good thing for my Adj. his report proved invaluable to my tactics, way to go W.K. Kudos also go out to our I.S.O. for keeping us safe. As always our D.C. provided us with a Alpha D.P.C. for C.C., B.L.S. & A.L.S. with A.E.D.s at the ready and B.C.F."s at the R.C. The fire went like clockwork and after wards I had the pleasure of debriefing our 2 N.F.G's oops I mean P.F.F's on their first fires. What a rewarding experience. Our E-10 P.F.F. rec"d his T.D.F.T.R.T. when he returned to quarters, ah the simple pleasures!
Now my point! Doe's anyone out there know exactly what I am talking about? I am sure a lot of you guys can guess and be real close but this service is not a guessing game! Why do we come up with all these acronym's? Are we that LAZY? Don't get me wrong there are some acronyms that serve us well but have we gone too far?
I believe in simple terminology where you ask for exactly what you need while skipping the ever deepening bowl of alphabet soup! Don't drown the emergency service in this broth.
Oh and by the way pardon the ignorance of this B/C but J.W.I.T.H.I. - Q.R.S. ?
K.I.S.S. Guys & Gals
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Post by GVEMS11 on Jul 27, 2006 20:33:52 GMT -5
QRS = Quick Response Service. That means that an agency provides emergency medical services response (at either the basic or advanced life support level) but does not actually provide patient transport services. The Bureau of Emergency Medical Services of the Pennsylvania Department of Health recognizes, licenses, and regulates quick response services. We apparently took for granted that an acronym that is very basic to us in the area could be confusing elsewhere. My apologies!
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911Mom
Full Member
Welcome to the real world!
Posts: 60
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Post by 911Mom on Jul 27, 2006 20:35:43 GMT -5
QRS is the acronym that we use for quick responders. They are fire based EMT's and First Reponders that usually use their rescue truck to respond to serious EMS calls ie severe respiratory, unresponsives, full arrests, etc. We have QRS in Smithfield and I can tell you that they have saved my a** on numerous occasions. I hope I figured out your acronym and answered your question. Stay Safe!
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Post by 921batt on Jul 28, 2006 12:02:48 GMT -5
911mom & GVEMS11, thanks for enlightening me on the acronym. I hope you enjoyed my factual but quirky post (F.B.Q.P.).
S.I.M.P.L.Y. Joe
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Post by 911wacker on Jul 30, 2006 20:27:27 GMT -5
Rescue and QRS/EMS definitely go hand in hand. The issue of rescue running QRS calls is entirely different. A rescue operation, though, can not be successful if the needs of the patient are not attended to during the process. Rescue is not about popping doors and cutting roofs. Rescue is about the safe and efficient removal of a patient that has entered into the emergency medical services system. I could not have stated this any better myself. Most fire departments who perform rescue do realize this, but not all. In a perfect world we could work together without arrogance and self inflated ego's getting into the way of patient care and removal from the enviroment.
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