smoking in the ambulance:

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One of the issues I have where I vollie is all the people who ride in the buses chain smoke.

There is no ventilation in the back, A/C on one bus is busted.

They don't just smoke, they chain smoke, while driving, or sitting parked.

They only stop to treat a patient.

I noticed in a private once, in the cabin, there were a dozen no smoking stickers...

Is this going to be an issue anywhere I go?

Rather then speak up, I am just going to leave, its that, one guy who drives weaving lights and sirens for no reason, the personal trips and errands in the buses, and the overly vulgar discussions (as there are no females in the service).

So on the smoking issue, what do people think?

I have seen people smoke outside a bus before, but never in it. Is it that coomon?
 
with one of my departments, there is a no smoking policy, meaning when you step onto the property no smoking.... most of our guys chew though so that truly isnt a problem with that department.

the other department i work for, the only rule they have is you cannot smoke inside the bus or in the station. we actually have a picnic table outside the station just for people to sit and smoke at
 
As one of the few females many times I am the only girl on shift...the vulgar talk is there, the smoking is there. The chain smokers can and do smoke in the rigs between patients. I've come to the conclusion that until it hinders patient care it's just not a fight I'm ready to fight. Perhaps in years to come as I gain confidence, but until then I'm not ready to burn bridges.
 
No smoking in or near an ambulance, ever. It has O2 tanks and signs that claim as such.


If my partner starts smoking, they get kicked out, not only for the O2 tanks, but because smoke makes me light headed, and I don't want my health f'ed up for their vice.
 
First, NO ONE will ever smoke in an ambulance I am riding in or one that I am affiliated with, period. I would even say something to people I am NOT affiliated with.

You have every right to speak up and you should. To say until it hinders patient care...What the heck does that mean?? When you load the severe allergy patient in the truck and they react to lingering smoke, then you will worry about it?? Does that make any sense?

If the stupidity of doing this is not enough, then rest assured you have the Federal and state laws on your side. OSHA has mandates about this and there are only a few states which are not OSHA states but they can be Non OSHA states because their own policies/laws meet or exceed the federal ones, so essentially it is all the same.

Here is a reference for you:

OSHA regulations state that there shall be no smoking within 20 feet of any compressed cylinder including oxygen (29 CFR 1910.101b). This rules out smoking in any ambulance or EMS response vehicle as well as within most garages or apparatus bays where EMS vehicles are housed. This sentiment is echoed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in their standards.

Also in regards to a PR perspective:

In addition to all of the known health and safety related aspects of smoking, the public relations perspective must also be examined. The health care community has repeatedly indicated the hazards of smoking. As a professional representative of the healthcare community, EMS providers must support the public health warnings and not permit smoking in the health care environment. Disregarding this may lessen the public confidence and understanding of EMS professionals as health care providers.
 
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Very unprofessional. Patients with severe respiratory problems are suffering because of exposure to the smoke that is in the ambulance and even on the clothes of those treating them. Any service that allows smoking in the ambulance should be shut down.
 
Sassafrass, I hear you, better not make waves.

Is the policy not to smoke in the bus? Is it constant.

I could handle aone cigarette every two hours, but literally, they chain smoke.

I have not seen such a large group of chain smokers in the USA, ever, reminds me of Russia 20 years ago.

The vulgar talk is out of hand. They circle the block to follow girls walking. One guy will say "hi", over the PA system.

Its beyond vulgar, beyond saying, "oooo, she is nice..."

AND they mess around on the radio constantly....even though they all have a "blackberry group..."

The sads thing is the President is a straight up guy, he puts up with them because otherwise he there would NEVER be any buses on the road....ever.

I pray another vollie takes me.....
 
The one time I did do something was when I was with one guy in the basement, we were assigned to clear a path to the meters.

It was dusty, full of debris, O2 tanks, who knows what else, some gas cans even...

I just said, dude, this aint the best place to smoke, the guy shrugged, I just walked away.
 
akflightmedic said:
First, NO ONE will ever smoke in an ambulance I am riding in or one that I am affiliated with, period. I would even say something to people I am NOT affiliated with.

You have every right to speak up and you should. To say until it hinders patient care...What the heck does that mean?? When you load the severe allergy patient in the truck and they react to lingering smoke, then you will worry about it?? Does that make any sense?

If the stupidity of doing this is not enough, then rest assured you have the Federal and state laws on your side. OSHA has mandates about this and there are only a few states which are not OSHA states but they can be Non OSHA states because their own policies/laws meet or exceed the federal ones, so essentially it is all the same.

Here is a reference for you:

OSHA regulations state that there shall be no smoking within 20 feet of any compressed cylinder including oxygen (29 CFR 1910.101b). This rules out smoking in any ambulance or EMS response vehicle as well as within most garages or apparatus bays where EMS vehicles are housed. This sentiment is echoed by the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) in their standards.

Also in regards to a PR perspective:

In addition to all of the known health and safety related aspects of smoking, the public relations perspective must also be examined. The health care community has repeatedly indicated the hazards of smoking. As a professional representative of the healthcare community, EMS providers must support the public health warnings and not permit smoking in the health care environment. Disregarding this may lessen the public confidence and understanding of EMS professionals as health care providers.
Click to expand...

As one of dozens of EMT-b card holders with no experience in NYC, it serves me better to quietly move on.
 
Sassafras said:
As one of the few females many times I am the only girl on shift...the vulgar talk is there, the smoking is there. The chain smokers can and do smoke in the rigs between patients. I've come to the conclusion that until it hinders patient care it's just not a fight I'm ready to fight. Perhaps in years to come as I gain confidence, but until then I'm not ready to burn bridges.
Click to expand...

And when that time comes, your argument will be weak and lack credibility as you tolerated it and enabled it during this "confidence gaining phase". If something bothers you now, you have every right to speak up now. Waiting to do so, it will then be assumed you are doing it for other reasons...
 
Here is the NY State policy:

No Smoking Policy
Bureau of EMS Policy Statement
Policy Statement # 00-07
Date 08/16/00
Subject Re: No Smoking Policy
Supercedes/Updates 89-10

Policy:

It is the policy of the Bureau of EMS that there should be no smoking in or around any ambulance or EMS response vehicle at any time. This includes vehicle garages and apparatus bays, as well as during an EMS response in which patients are being treated. Smoking should be restricted to defined areas. It is recommended that smoking and/or loitering be prohibited in stairwells, vestibules, entrances and exits.

All provider agencies need to develop and institute policies consistent with this Policy Statement

Authorized by: Edward G. Wronski, Director
 
AK, there is a big gap, between what is said and what is done.

IMHO, people should choose his or her battles wisely.
 
Hey, if you don't care about your safety and health, that's up to you, but that's where I put my foot down and force my way with people. They can smoke if they want, but not in the truck, and not near me.

If they continue to smoke in the truck, I make a phone call to the supervisor. We'll see who wins that one.
 
Not only for yourself, but you must be a patient advocate. If you are not strong enough to defend yourself, then obviously you can not defend your patients health.
 
Linuss said:
Hey, if you don't care about your safety and health, that's up to you, but that's where I put my foot down and force my way with people. They can smoke if they want, but not in the truck, and not near me.

If they continue to smoke in the truck, I make a phone call to the supervisor. We'll see who wins that one.
Click to expand...

Linuss, probably if it were a paid service. However, it is a vollie, and one that has really only two people willing and able to crew chief on a weekly basis.

One guy is mostly cool but he is influenced heavily by the other guy, a competent EMT but very arrogant. If it were not for him, they would really have nobody that can really handle "it all".....

I care about health and safety. But lets say I see that going on, as a bystander, what would or could I do ?
 
No way is smoking allowed in an Ambulance

Vollie or not, its unprofessional, dangerous and illegal

Just leave this place already
 
Dude, it is not your battle, it is not your rule. Its an enforceable rule set-forth by governing agencies bigger then your agency and there is nothing they can do to you for making it known. Verbalize it. If nothing happens, make a phone call. There are no exceptions, and if you fail at reporting it, then you can be held just as responsible.
It is kinda like being a state mandated reporter for elderly/child abuse. You have no choice about reporting it, or be prepared for consequenses. This IS our job. Safety.
 
As we now see it is illegal it is your responsibility to report it. Failure to report makes you as guilty as they are.
 
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