Recent content by SWVAEMT

We have them on all emergency vehicles. Though any decrease in response times is fairly insignificant, I think they do a lot to improve our safety as well as public safety by eliminating the need to go through red lights. Just remember to turn the emitter off while on scene. Lights within...

Rocky Fort Hoods w/ zipper and Magnum Response side zip. I never wear the same pair two days in a row and if I'm pulling a 24, I'll change boots about half-way through the shift.

Sounds like your dept. needs to add a few repeaters to your area. We use the same radios as you but VERY rarely lose signal with the exception of the ED of one of the hospitals in our area which is in the basement of a large steel structure in the next county.

In my pockets: Notepad Pens Field Guide Wallet On my belt: Double Glove Pouch Pager Cell Phone I also have a clip-on pouch that I leave in the front seat of the truck. If I'm AIC, I'll only put it on when responding to a call. It has my Leatherman Supertool...

I believe checking corotid pulse on an infant is contraindicated, is it not?

We have two on every ambulance in addition to the ones on the wagon, ladder, squad, etc that will be responding along with us.

Ditto Unless the situation calls for rapid extrication, a KED or a short board should be used.

BLS non-transport unit......................................Wagon XX BLS transport unit............................................Rescue XX ALS non-transport unit......................................EMS X ALS transport unit............................................Medic XX...

GPS Other than that, as a BLS provider, I pretty much have everything I need. My opinion may change once I have my Paramedics degree though.

Yeah, I used to have problems like that. Later in life found that one simple change made all the difference in the world..........................................my attitude.

There's one (and only one) vest on every ambulance but I'd rather wear my turnout coat than put on that vest that's been God knows where and then stored underneath the tire chains and locks kit. Also, most of us wear the IllumiNite job shirts during the cooler months which glow quite nicely in...

The county I'm with only charges for transports.

Well said TTLWHKR I like spider straps over quick-clips. More secure and easier to work with IMO as long as they've been put away properly. Using them with a board that is set up for quick-clips can be a pain though and God help the #@&^er that keeps rolling them up instead of accordian...

We're allowed to sleep, but real sleep is hard to come by between tones and in a bunk room with 4-5 olympic snoring champions.

The only numbers I'm familiar with are the fire-based EMS agencies in my area. FF/EMT's make about $32K, FF/Paramedics about $35K. Paramedics should make more based on increased education and training plus they take a larger share of the call volume.