STAFFING RESCUE...MEDICS or NO MEDICS

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David Klotz on July 27, 2008 at 9:59am

Doug,

My department is all volunteer but in order for our rescue to respond we require at least one EMT to be on the truck or responding in the departments ambulance do just that PT care. If you are going to be running rescue jobs in confined spaces, and other places where you may need speaclized training to enter the space and may have the need to start drugs i think it might be a good Idea this way it allows you to have that option avalible to you with out you having to try and find a medic who has these quals to do so.

Permalink Reply by Doug Curry on July 28, 2008 at 9:44pm

Thanks David for the info, we are throwing around a lot of ideas, but i worry about overtime staffing? Since the spot will have to be filled with the same qualifications.Doug

Permalink Reply by Sean Brooks on September 4, 2008 at 2:09pm

Doug,

We currently run our rescue with a minimum staffing of 4 and if staffing permits we usually will throw a medic over onto the rescue (all others are minimum EMT). We run ALS first response since at county ALS service handles all transports. It has been nice on tech. rescue calls to have a medic on hand that has the ability to render care in tight spots but also knows and works with how we operate. If you are comfortable with how your department's medics operate on tech calls then I don't see a need to assign a medic "seat" on your rescue. I see it as possibly giving up the valuable knowledge / experience of an EMT who now might not be making the call because of being assigned to another rig. I would push for a part-time medic spot while your department / rescue has the chance to bring your rescue medics up to par with your departments tech rescue standards.

Sean Brooks

Permalink Reply by Jim Saladin on September 22, 2008 at 8:53pm

Doug, the biggest consideration is what would the community expect from your Department? One thing to keep in mind is not only the trench, structural collapse, and confined space incidents but by far the most common are the vehicle extrication incidents. During prolong extrications it may be necessary to push meds, intubate, and perform other advanced skills.

We train in all these disciplines, but by far the most frequent are the vehicle wrecks. If your budget can mangae it, this could be a good way to justify the need for additional funding for medic school. I would strongly recommed you evaluate placing a medic on your rig.

Good luck, keep it safe.
Sal

Permalink Reply by Doug Ott on November 18, 2008 at 10:40am

We have ALS equipment and medics on our "rescue" not just for the community, but for our own guys and our neighboring departments in case a firefighter gets in a pinch.

Doug