you know, this is one of those cases where I agree with BLSBoy 100%. however, I know of several 100% paid agencies that routinely use RL&S for transporting patients that are not experiencing life threatening emergencies. I also know of some ALS providers that say anytime they transport a patient, RL&S are to be used. in fact, I know of one BLS crew that didn't want L&S and the ALS did, even though the patient was reportedly stable (but still warranted ALS for a workup), which resulted in a complaints being filed by both crews with their respective supervisors. so you can't say it's just volunteers or BLS, because paid staff and ALS are just as guilty.
haha, so that's what the M stands for. I have seen so many ALS providers set up camp at the side of the road during a line of sight rendezvous, or just spend waaaaaay too much time on scene that I thought it was for "maintain current location."
But in all fairness, I know of many who will do all their assessment and interventions while enroute to the hospital.
and I think you are right, 100%. But I would like expand on your statement.
NJ has a lot of small, volunteer squads throughout the state, usually one per town. This results in small call volume agencies (between 200 and 600 calls a year), where it doesn't pay to pay staff 24/7. In order to improve, we need to consolidate those smaller squads into larger multi-town or county based EMS agencies.
But also don't group all volunteer agencies as one or two call a day places. My parent's town gets about 5000 EMS calls a year (give or take a few hundred). one squad covers the town. nights and weekends are all volunteer, with the occasional day crew. how many of your EMS agencies can say the same? And before anyone asks, I wish they would put on paid staff 24/7 and bill instead of having to beg for donations.
more larger paid agencies, fewer slow volunteer agencies, equal training standards for all, fewer town boundaries restricting emergency services, closest unit goes, yeah, a man can dream.