how bad is dc ems

[pamungus]

i am thinking of changeing jobs. i would be going from a small dept with a 24-72 shift with good benefits. is dc ems a place for me to be looking at or should i stay away?i just moved to the area and i am driveing about 100 miles each way to work so even if its not the greatest it still might be for me

[Phantom]

Do you want to run urban EMS? If so its the right place, otherwise look somewhere else.

[pamungus]

i cant get enough calls. the station i am at is busy 8000 calls but it is in hagerstown. i want the shootings,o/d,fights,stabbings and all that come with it!

[Kobersteen]

Well, like anywhere, it isn't 'a thrill a minute', but I will definately say that it is an experience. Sometimes good, sometimes bad.

If you don't let the politics and all of the EMS side get you down and just go in, do a good job don't be a slacker around the firehouse, you'll get along fine.

[NorthSTAR]

At any job you will have good and bad points. Don't let they naysayers keep you away from one of the best jobs around. Fire or EMS, this city still gets the job done. Just expect a few speedbumps along they way... Are you an ALS provider?

[SLICK]

:) Its what you make of it.

[pamungus]

yes i am a paramedic, and have been one for 10 years....its sounds alot like where i work now .its nice to hear some good things about dc ems to tell the truth i was haveing doubts after reading some of the stuff on here and talking to people i know in and around dc.... thanks to all for the info. hope to be joining you all soon!

[shocker]

Like stated before, it's a great experience! There are a few hurdles within the department, but in the end it's worth it. Remember, come to work, do your job, and go home...That's all you have to do! Good Luck

[TCosgroveJones]

hope to be joining you all soon!


Like I've said before, Its a great job. :D All you got to do in Rookie School and your Probation year is keep your mouth shut, show up early, forget what you learned in the county, sweep the floor, get on the fire truck when it leaves, sit at the Watch Desk and study, never be afraid of asking a question, NEVER EVER SAY This is how we did it in the COUNTY, It Doesn't Count NOW.
Cosgrove :cool:

PS Don't be like Weasel Hunter!! :p

[HOOKMAN]

WOW PAMUNGUS AFTER READING UR POSTS IN THE COUNTY U ACTUALLY HAVE A SERIOUS TOPIC :p YES U CAN COME JOIN AS LONG AS U ARENT A MUNGBEATER IN DC..WHATEVER IT IS A MUNGBEATER MIGHT DO :eek:

[22Lineman]

Well since the FFD is taking over some of the Ambo's, The Patient care should increase, not really sure why you want to leave 24/72 for 2 days, 2 nights and 4 days off? Plenty of overtime! I left day work, to become a DC fireman, and the 24/72 schedule.

[shocker]

Exactly what do you mean by "Patient Care Should Increase" 22Lineman? Surely you don't mean patient care will get better just because firemen are riding ambulances! Not that firemen (some) aren't good providers, but fireside taking over ambulances is not going to solve the problem.

[ktflame]

Exactly what do you mean by "Patient Care Should Increase" 22Lineman? Surely you don't mean patient care will get better just because firemen are riding ambulances! Not that firemen (some) aren't good providers, but fireside taking over ambulances is not going to solve the problem.

I must say it won't solve the problem. Response times are going to be better but there will be pissed off folks who could care less about patient care. I am just being honest. Don't get me wrong I think upgrading the 12 hr units is a win, win situation for all EMS Units. The more trucks on the street the ability to spread the workload out evenly. I also want to let the folks know that the ultimate plan is to upgrade every transport unit to a 1 Paramedic, 1 EMT staffed unit, so this will decrease the amout of firefighters detailed or assigned to EMS units.

[shocker]

I agree, I never understoon the justification for "power shift" units. That was based on some graph showing call volumes back in the day! Any urban city, especially DC, should have a 24 hour unit, maybe more in the bigger houses, staffed 24-7. The call volume is just to heavy. I think 1 and 1 staffing is a great idea, a lot of jurisdictions do it, as long as the EMT-B is competent in what he/she is doing, otherwise the medic is all alone!

It just sucks when a firefighter tells you that he doesn't mind riding the ambulance every day on the 3 day break, as long as it's for O.T. But they don't want to ride it if it's their regular tour of duty. That doesn't say a lot for the quality of patient care! It's all about the $$$$$.

[HOOKMAN]

WELL IF U DO DECIDE TO COMEOVER AND U CALL A FIRETRUCK TO ASST. U WITH A HEAVY PERSON DONT BE LIKE THE TWO FAT ASS FEMALE LOADS ON THE AMBO WHO SIT THERE AND WATCH U PICK UP THE PATIENT LIKE THE RUN I JUST HAD...ITS AMAZING THE COT IS THERE AT THE FRONT DOOR AND THERE SITTING THERE WAITING FOR U TO PUT THEM ON THE COT AND CARRRY THEM TO THE UNIT..FOR CRYING OUT LOUD PUT AT LEAST UR PINKY FINGER ON THE COT LIKE UR TRYING TO HELP. :rolleyes:

[shocker]

Trust me, I never called an engine, truck, or squad for manpower unless I ABSOLUTELY needed it! I have no problem breaking a sweat to do my job, lifting IS in the EMT Job description, and I know this....MAN!

[22Lineman]

Shocker, First of all more Ambo's will be staffed 24/7, There will be some leadership, which the EMS side has been lacking, I have seen numerous time's EMS people rolling in after 9am and the only thing they get is a slap on the rist. Now they will be held accountable for their screw-ups. Getting back to the" Patient Care" , I rode the Ambo for a short period, appox 5-6 mths. I have seen how Ems units operated at the scene and at the hospital. It always bugged me you be running your tail off and you transported to Howard and other hospitalsand there would be 7-8 Ambos sitting there with their thumbs up their you know what. Now riding the Engine, sitting on the medical locals waiting 35-45min for a Ambo, I know first hand where all the ambo's are sitting, either sitting at the hospital or in the station waiting for manpower. Please don't get me wrong there are some good Emt's and medics out there, just not a whole lot. Also, to sum it up I am not really happy riding the ambo's either, but I have to do what I am told.

[Brooks]

There's a good reason for 'power shift' units, it's just that, like many other things, DC implemented them badly.

For any given amount of money, demand-matched EMS staffing levels can provide better response time than 24h staffing. I do believe they needed more units from 7-9am, and 1-3am on weekend nights.

[BMIG]

Shocker so I guess the "special" council hearing a couple of weeks ago wasn't "all about the money". The funny thing is that the same people who say f/f's give bad patient care sit in the same recert classes we do. Last time I heard the FFD doesn't do emt training and recert. So I guess it's the people who train us. Doh! :eek:

[shocker]

I don't dispute that BMIG....The whole department, BOTH sides could use some work.