Chase cars ?

[Wayne81]

If it is possible, could someone provide me with a brief summery of your EMS system in relation to chase cars, transport units,vol. Vs. carrer, als and bls providers.

I currently work in Howard County, Md. and we are facing the same problems as everyone else when it comes to deployment of ALS providers. The newer EMT-Ps cringe at the very mention of chase cars and we older EMT-Ps see a potential for thier return.

Questions.

1. Does Deleware still use chase cars, and in what capacity?
2. How are the transports handled, carrer units or vol. units.
3. Are there Paramedic engines?
4. In general, how is your system working?

Positive responces will be GREATLY appreciated.

Wayne Sutphin, Jr. NREMT-P
Howard County Fire & Rescue
E-mail @ cwsjr3058@yahoo.com

[stoned dragon]

Wayne,

Delaware has a tiered EMS system. BLS is provided by the fire companies or private ambo service via contract with an individual municipality (ie: Wilmington & Dover). These units are the primary transport units.

ALS is provided by each county, with two paramedics responding to each call as mandated via State legislation. In most cases there are two paramedics per truck unless it's a supervisor or power unit / special detail. If not mistaken, only NCC EMS has transport units within its fleet of vehicles. They are used infrequently to the best of my knowledge - it all depends on the circumstances of the call and resources.

BLS Staffing is mixed with regards to volunteer / career. It all depends upon where you are. Some companies have 24/7 paid coverage, some have partial coverage by paid staff, and others are still all volunteer.

Some fire companies provide a medical assist / first responder response in lieu of not having a BLS unit or their primary unit is not available.

There are no ALS engines as the fire companies and county agencies are seperate. I don't forsee this concept coming to fruition here unless there are some significant changes down the road.

As far as EMS responses BLS units go on all EMS calls. ALS is added based upon initial EMD grading, or as requested by BLS after they make Pt contact. NCC EMS and Kent allow their ALS units to go to the hospital to retrieve their partners when they transport with a Pt (ie: one paramedic riding and the other follows behind non-emergency). SCEMS crews split with one medic riding with the Pt and the other remaining available in their first due area, with the exception of the units in close proximety to the hospitals.

Lastly, DSP aviation has two helicopters in service 24/7 now. Their staffing is usually a pilot and paramedic - both being Troopers, no civillians. Christiana Health Care has Lifenet, a private helicopter service, which is State certified for scene responses.

[ENG5DRIVER]

Wayne is that you ? Why did you not ask the engine driver on C shift about the system in Delaware ? . For a minute there we thought maybe you are looking into going to DE to get a brake off the box . W still have chase cars in
Howard co. , they are called Paramedic Engines . I don't think we could go back to that again . But anything is possible here .

[Wayne81]

It's me Pete, I was just checking with our friends in Del. to see if in-fact they were still runiing a chase car system, and if so, how it was woking. I think chase cars have a great deal of benifit but it seems Angust, feels differently.

[ENG5DRIVER]

It's me Pete, I was just checking with our friends in Del. to see if in-fact they were still runiing a chase car system, and if so, how it was woking. I think chase cars have a great deal of benifit but it seems Angust, feels differently.

Did you think he would not feel any different ? Sheezz!!!! Pete .

[FD3264]

Delaware - {I can speak for New Castle County Anyway where I'm employed as a Firefighter /EMT}

8 Total Medic units {Medic 9 comes up on power shifts and there is rumor of a Medic 10 being placed into service in the near future.

ALS utilizes both transport units and Surburban type vehicles. BLS as previously stated is provided by mostly Career Staffing whos personnel work directly for the fire companies them-selves.

The transport units are rarley used as a transport units although I've seen it done. Each shift has two ALS Supervisors who roam through out thier respective areas in Either Surburbans or Crown Victorias.

I see a question was asked regarding ALS Engines...... :eek: :eek: The volunteer fire companies can't even agree on simple radio procedures, staffing issues, EMS, or much else for that matter.....I think ALS engine companies are way off here.

[ROOFGOOF]

Wayne and Pete, I would much rather talk to you in person than finding the discussion on TWD.

BTW- I worked in a system of chase cars. There were 2 for the entire County. Reason: We did not have enough paramedics in our system to staff an entire fleet of transport units.

We do not have this problem in Howard County, unless we have 80% of the paramedics quit... The chase car dream for us would be like bringing back the bucket brigade.
As I mentioned before we need to ADD transport units, not chase cars. The Columbia area usually runs out of transport units a few times a week. Answer: Need 2 additional BLS transport units in the Columbia/EC area.

Sussex County and Howard County are 2 different animals.

Now that I have bored the Delaware guys....I'll move on back to HOCO. Cheers.
BTW, its Aungst.

[demedic]

***8 Total Medic units {Medic 9 comes up on power shifts and there is rumor of a Medic 10 being placed into service in the near future.

Their is actually 7 full time units and 1 extra unit on a power shift (0700-1900) bringing to a total of 8 units. Medic 9 is put up on occasion when noone is on vacation. As for Medic 10, yeh right. Our new contract calls for up to 4 more units to be put on a power shift, however we are currently understaffed as it is and recruiting efforts are slim to none. With that being said having Medic 10, 11, 12, 13 is a far fetched idea that wont happen for a long time. Especially with several people eligible to retire. As for ALS engines, WONT EVER HAPPEN. State legislatives have is so that in order to be a Delaware Paramedic, you have to be employed by one of the three counties or DSP. I can assure you that none of the counties are pushing for ALS engines and I dont see it ever happening.


Stay safe
B.D.