How do we correct this problem

[MP_Steve]

Well, I guess it's getting a little better. I was on the way home from work and a call came in. It was around 12:30am and they had 3 people plus the regional medic responding. The last couple of calls I went on at this time we had a full 3 man crew. On tonights call they had me stay in town available in case we had another call come in while the first crew is at the hospital...this happens quite often too.

From the way you speak, it sounds to me you are a member of Falmouth Fire-EMS...

[Petertherock]

From the way you speak, it sounds to me you are a member of Falmouth Fire-EMS...

That is correct...you familiar with this service?

[MP_Steve]

That is correct...you familiar with this service?

I spent three years with Engine Co. 3 on Allen Avenue Extension.

[Petertherock]

I spent three years with Engine Co. 3 on Allen Avenue Extension.

That's cool! I am at Central. Good dept. with good people. Finally we have a good Chief to lead us. Not to mention we finally have a Town Manager that is for us and not against us so that has made a huge difference too.

[TuxEMS]

Too bad this isnt in Illinois. I know alot of people that would jump on this in a minute. As far as people not understanding change your name to the City Volunteer Fire Department

[AnthonyM83]

Honestly, I think the problem comes from having volunteer EMS. If volunteer EMS disappeared, I'd be pretty sure local government would be in a scramble to put together a paid system where you can have reliable EMS coverage around the clock, because that would be the EMT's primary job and they would be getting paid for night time shifts (not having to worry about having gotten enough sleep for their "real" job the next day).

[noelchabanel]

I doubt that would work here. In NH the local government, and even the State legislature is composed of essentially unpaid volunteers. Maine isn't much different. The entire state has a population smaller than a lot of smaller suburbs in California. Most towns are largely rural and thinly populated and have less than a few thousand residents, only a handful have over 10,000. I know my taxes could not afford to pay for something like that. I also appreciate that we take care of people in town who can't afford to pay without sending collection agencies after them...I do it for the community, for free, and hope it will stay that way.

[MDEMT280]

Honestly, I think the problem comes from having volunteer EMS. If volunteer EMS disappeared, I'd be pretty sure local government would be in a scramble to put together a paid system where you can have reliable EMS coverage around the clock, because that would be the EMT's primary job and they would be getting paid for night time shifts (not having to worry about having gotten enough sleep for their "real" job the next day).

That sounds like somebody's been toking from the IAFF peace pipe.

Get out of the "LA and SF area" and you'll find that a paid service doesn't work everywhere.

In fact, that's, what, two anti-volunteer posts in half an hour? Hmm...

*sniff, sniff*

[AnthonyM83]

Wouldn't full-time paid professionals allow them to devote their careers and days to top notch EMS and training, thus providing a better service to the citizens?

I don't advocate FD-run EMS, either, as I've seen too many FFs forced to attend paramedic school against their will, which obviously leads to poor patient care (if one hates their job).

My opinion comes from discussion from those originally from those smaller rural towns and various discussions on problems with their volunteer systems.

[JakeLock]

I need to ask some questions tomorrow on an ambulance/rescue call. We get at least 3-5 a day. I know the rescue guys that show up are paid fulltime firefighters, but I'm not sure about our Community Ambulance folks...

They deal with ****bags as oftenas we do, had one guy who's "throat was slit by someone" decide to fight with the ambulance crew who were only trying to help him. This happens more often than I want to admit, a cop shouldn't be needed to get a patient in the hospital. This idiot, after fighting with the ambulance crew and then telling them he was gonna run when they opened the door was met by me and a partner when they opened the door. I'm not a small guy and his face changed real quick when he saw me standing outside the door.

I really hope our ambo's get paid, cuz the **** they deal with sometimes is not worth being a volly.

[noelchabanel]

I answer calls to the county jail for free. It's in our service area. Knock on wood, I don't think we've ever had a serious problem there, but a patient never goes anywhere with us with out a correction officer present. Occasionally we take in drunks the police have pepper-sprayed. Those are a treat :D DV calls too....grrrr. All free, 'cause we love doing it.