FF/Ambulance Driver

[RCResident]

Why can't F/F's drive an ambulance in RC?

[swampfox]

I assume that you refer to Future Farmers, as in the student agricultural organization Future Farmers of America.

To answer the question, it is mostly because they are too young.

[Ubuntu User]

Politics bulls**t in Richland County. In Lexington County, a firefighter can drive an ambulance if they 2 require two people to be working a patient. But almost any paramedic in Lexington can also attest to, firefighters also drive like s**t.

Firefighters should be **TRAINED** to drive ambulances, it's not the same as driving a firetruck. An example is you got to learn how to do a smoooooooooth stops when driving an ambulance and smoooooth starts. Anything that assist the paramedic and patient comfort, it's hard enough for a medic to find and stick a vein in a fast moving ambulance. They also should be required in order to drive an ambulance to know all of the ER's in the area and their parking procedures. Baptist ER is not one ER you want to be driving to if you've never been there before.

Anyhow, it's probably only a few hours training at most to get first responders how to drive an ambulance properly and should be required training.

[ccnyqp]

But almost any paramedic in Lexington can also attest to, firefighters also drive like s**t....Smoooooooooth stops when driving an ambulance and smoooooth starts. Anything that assist the paramedic and patient comfort, it's hard enough for a medic to find and stick a vein in a fast moving ambulance.

Speak for yourself Ubuntu. I, personally, am glad ANYTIME a firefighter shows up to drive me in. If you have that much trouble starting an IV, maybe you need to do some IV remediation. Yes, sometimes the ride can be rough, but I've had EMT-Bs that drive rougher & don't know how to back an ambulance. Maybe it's your attitude that makes the FFs not want to be so extra smooth when they arrive to see that YOU are the one who requested them??? Also, are the words "Thank You" in your vocabulary after the ride? Think about that.

[Trained 'Medic]

Read this.....

http://www.wltx.com/news/storySpecial.aspx?storyid=58616

It would seem that RCEMS did actually save someone before. I wonder if WIS included this in its "investigation."

WIS does monitor RCEMS's radio transmissions with a scanner, yet they made it sound like no patient care is being provided on scene.

I don't know any medic there who actually waits on scene for a back up. Back ups are met enroute to the ER.

Every EMS system has its flaws. But look at it this way, at least you can bet your bottom dollar that if you see an in-service RCEMS unit it will have at least 1 paramedic on it.

RCEMS is truly an Advanced Life Support Licensed Service by DHEC standards. Some other services can't say that.

Just my 2 cents.....

[ccnyqp]

Excellent point you make. I checked out the link. I hadn't heard about that call at the game. Great work. Not to detract at all from what a great job those 4 gentlemen did, but it's funny how a public event call, (or someone important) has to get saved for EMS to be recognized for the job they do every day. We're the everyday heroes, but we don't have action figures in the toy section at Wal-Mart. ;) Two big thumbs up to the crew who ran that call. And two more to all the men and women out there who respond to EVERY call, no matter how small. Sometimes you run a call just like those gentlemen did, but the outcome isn't happy. No hero pins are given out for those. Some days the EMS gods smile upon us, and some days they don't.

Back to the topic of the driving policy:
As long as you're loading and going (and meeting a driver enroute) I don't see where it's a huge problem. But an extra set of hands, eyes and brains in the back sure doesn't hurt (even when it's an EMT-B). It sure would be nice to get Fire & EMS together for the driver thing, though, if for nothing else than better PR.

[EMS1]

That is my point. When there is a fire, who do they call to protect the FF? When the SO have situation who do they call? Domestic violence, 43, 45, pick em up in the salley port? Who do they call? EMS! We are the backbone of Public Safety. But who has the 25 yr. retirement compared to 28 yrs.? When is it going to end?

[UnregisteredDHEC45]

Firefighters and Paramedics often fight little turf battles. Firefighters love what they do and are extremely proud of it. They will do just about anything for anyone including an EMS crew needing help. The exact same can be said for Paramedics. I wouldnt judge RCEMS's medics by the policies they have to follow to do what they love. All counties that have seperate Fire and EMS departments have got to remember that there is NO guarantee that you wont be sharing quarters one day. Do what you love well and respect the other guy for doing the same. I work for an EMS that works closely with fire including driving our units and assisting in the back. We always GIT-IT-DID!!

[Goodman]

:shock: Columbia FD has approx. 400 paid fireman unsure of the amount of volunteers. Richland EMS has approx. 200 emts{B-I-and medics}. To many people to cross train for driving ambulances. To many FF to train because of the increased numbers = increased liability, not to mention the cost to the taxpayer that would have to pay for the extra training. If its not really broke WHY change.

The counties Richland is being compared to only have a fraction of those numbers, there fore decreasing the liability issue. OHH and how many of these surrounding services can guarantee the public a ALS ambulance EVERY time.

Those of you who dont know an ALS ambulance is an advanced life support, meaning every ambulance in Richland has at least one Paramedic on board who can perform all the advanced procedures allowed by there local medical control physician.

[another ems person]

Just an FYI The MCP has to sign to let them run on trucks without a EMTP on board. Maybe he doesn't trust them. I think I would want help from just about any trained person then waiting the time they take to get to some parts of the county. Also the stuff I heard on TV about saving fuel most go out the window when it gets hot. Last week while they were doing a BK run the truck was left running on the outside.