A Day In The Life Of An Ambulance Driver - Latest Comments in For All You EMS Types…

Re: For All You EMS Types…

CountyRat — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:01:00 -0000

We have to consider the fact that fire fighting and emergency medical care require different aptitudes, and so, attract different folks. There is self-selection by personality, and that is a good thing. However, the qualities of personality that makes one a good fire fighter, might not make the same person a good medic, and vice versa. Citizens are probably best served when people are allowed to pursue their interests and capabilities, even though that is less efficient. Efficiency is desirable, but the best way to save a life might not be the most efficient. Life saving trumps efficiency.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

CountyRat — Fri, 23 May 2008 13:01:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Liz — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:12:00 -0000

I have a slightly different perspective to this. I am a fire EMT wife and mom. We have been part of a couple of different systems. We began in a combined EMS/fire system which was also a sucessful vol/paid combo system(PGFD). We are now in a completely seperated wholely volly system. The way I see it is a big part of the problem stems from one thing, MONEY. The fact that EMS runs are chargable and fire runs are not. This leads to external forces pitting the two against each other. Which then leads to the chiefs feeling pitted against each other etc etc.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Liz — Wed, 21 May 2008 18:12:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Divemedic — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:11:00 -0000

I work in Florida, where FF's are at least EMT-B's in most areas of the state. Many departments require a FF to be a medic in order to be promoted.< />< />When fire and EMS departments were split, they made much less money. The more skills an employee brings to the table, the more they are worth. < />< />In my department, where fire and EMS have been merged for over 20 years, medics are still treated badly. No one likes getting up for the 4th call after midnight for toe pain, so they blame the medics.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Divemedic — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:11:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

born_yesterday — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:10:00 -0000

http://www.ems1.com/ems-pro... />there ya go y'all

Re: For All You EMS Types…

born_yesterday — Wed, 21 May 2008 17:10:00 -0000

http://www.ems1.com/ems-pro... />there ya go y'all

Re: For All You EMS Types…

macmedic — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:02:00 -0000

< />What?! Where? A little linky, please?

Re: For All You EMS Types…

macmedic — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:02:00 -0000

< />What?! Where? A little linky, please?

Re: For All You EMS Types…

chaos culprit — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:09:00 -0000

Hey AD... I just read your Top Ten Signs It's EMS week.. it was fantastic!!!!

Re: For All You EMS Types…

chaos culprit — Tue, 20 May 2008 23:09:00 -0000

Hey AD... I just read your Top Ten Signs It's EMS week.. it was fantastic!!!!

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Medicmarch. — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:48:00 -0000

Holy crap. I got an honorable mention on the excellence in ems thingie. They must've had...what, three submissions?< />< />Uh, wait, I mean some guy, named Chance, who is not me, did something. He and I are not the same guy.< />< />For reals.< />< />-MM

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Medicmarch. — Tue, 20 May 2008 22:48:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Medicmarch. — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:10:00 -0000

Good entry man. Sadly, you inspired me to make my own little smudges in the dirt and throw a post up on mine, so I decided to try and figure out a way to shamelessly pimp my blog out to ya.< />< />Oh wait. Here it is.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Medicmarch. — Mon, 19 May 2008 23:10:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Gnome from the Ice — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:49:00 -0000

< />< />In my area, a FF/EMT or FF/medic can make anywhere from $45k/yr and up, depending on OT and some other considerations. That equates to about $21/hr. A thrid party, private ambulance service EMT-B makes about $7.50/hr (no counting shift differential) and a medic makes about $13/hr. Hospital based EMS workers (which in the great state of MD must be paramedic level unless you take a CNA class) make slightly more. So while EMS workers who don't wish to train as firefighters DO have other options, those options are usually not economically feasible. < />< />That said, this is in my state and area only (DC metro area) as I have researched, experienced, and learned about. Mileage may vary in different parts of the country. < />< />Good discussion! Thanks for the opportunity. I look forward to more in the same vein.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Gnome from the Ice — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:49:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Herbie — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:42:00 -0000

I loved the article. The truth hurts.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Herbie — Fri, 16 May 2008 07:42:00 -0000

I loved the article. The truth hurts.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Gary — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:39:00 -0000

Rogue Medic, you are absolutely right. Systems with fewer medics have medics with better skills. Systems with too many medics mean that the high value skills are few and far between. That means that skill competence is harder to come by. < />< />Gary

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Gary — Thu, 15 May 2008 22:39:00 -0000

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Rogue Medic — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:29:00 -0000

Why would anyone want every fire fighter to be a paramedic?< />< />Where is the benefit?< />< />Our problem is that there are far too many medics not too few.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Rogue Medic — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:29:00 -0000

Why would anyone want every fire fighter to be a paramedic?< />< />Where is the benefit?< />< />Our problem is that there are far too many medics not too few.

Re: For All You EMS Types…

Mr. Fixit — Thu, 15 May 2008 18:25:00 -0000

Where I am, cross training (in this context you are refering to) means everyone at the basic rank of firefighter is both fire and paramedic certified. EMT-basic is not an option.< />< />To be really honest, around where I work in DFW, being a fireman is a defacto comment that you are also a paramedic.< />< />Cross training around here often means fire and police training such as a public safety department like DFW Airport or Highland Park.< />< />Fixit