46 replies to this topic

[medicnick83]

Hi all,

 

Curious!

 

Whom here is actually employed/volunteer in EMS? (Be it Fire services, Ambulance or Police)

 

Me personally, I'm a "Intermediate" (ILS/AEA) in the Department of Health: EMS in Cape Town, South Africa - we are also known as "Metro EMS" but it seems they want to 'drop' the "Metro" part.

 

See attached photos for what our uniform, ambulances look like and our badge.

Attached Files

•  20131126_174638.jpg   193.75KB   15 downloads
•  NewLogo.jpg   206.85KB   15 downloads
•  20131126_173743.jpg   92.35KB   16 downloads

[Chris07]

Yes. I'm an EMT (BLS) in California. I work for one of the largest ambulance companies in the country. I run emergency calls every now and then but these days I mostly just transfer people from facility to facility since I am a part time employee.

[medicnick83]

Yes. I'm an EMT (BLS) in California. I work for one of the largest ambulance companies in the country. I run emergency calls every now and then but these days I mostly just transfer people from facility to facility since I am a part time employee.

Oh boy dude... I'd hate to do that... I can't DEAL doing IHT's all day (Inter hospital transfers)

In South Africa, we have a 'division' for those type of calls though, IMO, they are lazy buggers! We call the service "HealthNET" or "Health Non Emergency Transfers" and the vehicles are called "Tango's" (Basically doing IHT's of walking patients etc)

[rcmp123]

I do like the Toyota Hice ambo

[ramcamper]

deleted

[RCMPDude1337]

I don't hold a medical field (EMT, EMR, Paramedic, etc), however, I do operate with my local volunteer fire department which provides a medical team to the regular fire response area, as our fire response area is very rural, and we are able to arrive on scene and give care to patients before the ambulance can get on scene. We have to undergo an actual medical basics course which provides us with the basics to perform a successful job in order to respond with the medical team.

 

It also allows us to provide vital information to the EMS crews responding, such as BP, O2 Sat, etc.

[MCERT1]

I've been an EMT for 4 years and an Emergency Medical Dispatcher for the past 2.5 years. My current volunteer fire department only runs assistance calls. So the most I do in the field anymore is take vitals and sit with patients until a transport arrives. 

[gizmo719]

I am currently in Medic school in Southern California. I was a firefighter/EMT in Colorado for 4 years and now I work with the Forest Service in Socal. So yeah Ive been in some interesting spots in the past and seen a lot of fire the last 2 years summers as well.

[WildcatsMike]

Thank all of you for your service. I'd love to be in the FD, but I don't think I could do EMS.

 

I have Trypanophobia (Fear of injections), and I throw up every single time I get a shot. I HATE needles.

 

I don't think I could do that to someone, as I.Vs are one of my worst nightmares. Lol.

 

Anyways, thank you guys for doing what you do.

[EmergencyFan97]

First responder here. South Carolina, USA.

On another note, I watched that documentary "Tell Me or I Will Forget" about South African EMS, and woah. That's all I got to say. Great documentary.

[WHFD ENGINE 23]

Connecticut EMT-A ( advanced ) firefighter west haven fire dept

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[WHFD ENGINE 23]

Thank all of you for your service. I'd love to be in the FD, but I don't think I could do EMS.

I have Trypanophobia (Fear of injections), and I throw up every single time I get a shot. I HATE needles.

I don't think I could do that to someone, as I.Vs are one of my worst nightmares. Lol.

Anyways, thank you guys for doing what you do.

yah would advise you not to if you puck from an Iv, I don't want to know what you'd do when you have 2 people's guts spread over a highway, a third impaled on his car convertible windshield and a mother and child stuck in their car( both got away with only scraps and bruises ) thank god!

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[WildcatsMike]

yah would advise you not to if you puck from an Iv, I don't want to know what you'd do when you have 2 people's guts spread over a highway, a third impaled on his car convertible windshield and a mother and child stuck in their car( both got away with only scraps and bruises ) thank god!

I don't wanna know what i'd do, either.

[frm03064]

Ive been on a fairly busy engine company (2200 runs a year... about 55% EMS) in Monroe County NY for the past 4 1/2 years. been an EMT for 3. Were a non-transport agency though... so while we respond on all priority 1 and 2 jobs in the area, we dont actually do to much when we get there as long as the person has no immediate life risks.... just stabilize and help the ambulance with lifting/packaging... We only have 2 ambulances in town, so between our district and neighboring districts in town limits they get tied up sometimes and we end up waiting for a commercial rig to come from the hospital... then we end up doing the bulk of pt care because of the delay.

[Multibullets]

Do EMT's (Not Paramedics) get to insert an IV line?

[gizmo719]

Do EMT's (Not Paramedics) get to insert an IV line?

Depends on State and local protocals. In Southern california, nope not at all. In Colorado and other states, it was a different story. 

[Chris07]

For the most part, EMT is glorified first aid.

[EmergencyFan97]

EMTs cannot initiate IVs here.


The skill level of each of the levels of prehospital healthcare provider (in some places up to 5 or 6 levels) varies by state. For instance, here in South Carolina, the state officially recognizes three levels:

Emergency Medical Technician
Emergency Medical Technician-Advanced
Paramedic

The chief difference between the EMT and EMT-A is that an EMT-A can initiate IVs and give a range of drugs. The chief difference between EMT-A and paramedics are that paramedics are able to give a wider range of drugs, including morphine and other narcotics, as well as interpret EKG strips and manually defibrillate.

That being said, many fire departments in the state run first responders, who, depending on the department, may be anywhere from First Responder-certified to Paramedic certified.

[RCMPDude1337]

EMT's down here can do any pre-hospital care such as IV's. They cannot issue any medications though. Only a trained paramedic can issue a medication whilst enroute to the hospital.

[gizmo719]

For the most part, EMT is glorified first aid.

 

Lol, I feel very limited in SoCal, however do you know if LaCo is going to adapt NarCan into EMTB Protocols next year?