Recent content by Shepard

I'm in agreement with you all. Someone proposed this to me and I figured I'd put it out to the masses. Just to clarify, the fire dept. is a combo paid/vol, with a pretty good chunk of funding. I guess private would provide a bus, equipment and most importantly medical direction. But they would...

Has anyone thought of or worked on a private, fire based ambulance? Scenario: EMT X works at Private ALS Ambulance Company, but also is a volunteer with BLS Fire Dept. Medic Y is in the same boat. ALS Private decides that they will put an ambulance at BLS Fire that says Fire on the side, is...

Working IFT: If there's family in the room I usually ask if someone want to ride with us. It makes the patient calmer and it's generally good for customer service. If there is any reason I suspect something might go wrong with the patient or if the transport is longer than 15-20 minutes (most...

Strykers aren't any where near 20,000. I've seen basic non tracked no fancy gadgets for 2500 and fully loaded models for as high as 5000 or more. Also, my back is worth much more than the cost of a Stryker. Now to convince the owner of this...

You are correct about IFT, but even our 911 cars don't have stair chairs. We did manage to sneak one onto one car that's not stationed at the main station. That was a gift from the chief of one of the fire depts we work with out in a more rural area. All of the units have a breakaway stretcher...

I think that one of the main problems faced by our crews is the fact that we only have two personnel unless there's a 3rd rider. So carrying down a Pt is pretty unpractical. We generally have fire respond for a lift assist and every time they're incredulous that we don't have a stair chair.

Thanks All. It looks like we'll have to beg for them to shell out for some Strykers. Much appreciated. In fact, as I write this we just got another transport that having a stair chair is basically necessary...

For some ungodly reason my company has decided to not equip the rigs with stair chairs. We do primarily BLS IFT and we have a few 911 rigs and run CCT as well. However. We've been expanding into a county with houses that ALL have stairs. In fact, in one city every home has a minimum of 13 steps...

Update I'm losing weight. Slowly, but its going. EAT BREAKFAST. Pack lunch, pack water. No soda, no sugar juice, fruit, sandwiches or wraps are awesome with whole grain bread and lots of veggies. Its important to eat right because that's all that you can really be in control of on the rig. As...

I worked with a medic who, after clearing from a call would wait for another unit to come in and give a ring down. He liked to key the mic on and off, making it seem like the other unit had radio problems. He did it to his friends and wave and smile as they came in looking all kinds of pissed off.

Bayshore and verihealth, both in San Mateo. Remember, even IFT companies can choose the people who they think are the best. Every company you apply at in the Bay Area has anywhere from 30-100 people who want that job.

Google this. Please. There's like... 5 H&R Blocks within a 5 mile radius of the mall. .

We wear jumpsuits with the company name on a name tape on right chest,and we dont have company patches. We aren't required to wear any patches, but we are allowed to wear NREMT on left arm, and whatever county patch were based in on our right.

Good movie! Good actors... ;) not necessarily accurate... but seeing as its one of few EMS movies out there I thought it was pretty good!

I'm looking for a new pair of boots. I decided on Haix R2's. But... before I drop $220 online, I need the sizing chart so I know how they fit, and the width. So: Anyone with these boots: How do you like em? Anyone know where to find the sizing guide (I need the size AND width)?