Dirty Dirty Ambulances

[pseudonym]

Given that the FEMS Administrator seems to feel that taking a busy EMS unit out of service so that it can be washed, regardless of the call volume in that particular EMS units first due area while it is out of service is of higher priority than allowing said EMS unit take runs in a dirty ambulance, I would suggest the following:

1. Wash each EMS unit daily, making a note in the journal upon completion, so that upon being stopped by the FEMS administrator, and dirt noticed at that time can be shown to have accumulated during the course of the day.

2. If you are assigned to a particularly busy EMS unit, where you may not have enough down time to attend to necessities such as meals and personal hygiene, let alone enough time to wash the unit, call OUC and request to be placed out of service so that you may return to your quarters and spend 20 minutes properly washing your EMS unit. Upon being denied said request, document the same in your journal, so that upon being stopped by the FEMS administrator, you can show that all reasonable efforts were taken to maintain a clean ambulance.

3. Any time your unit, or the reserve unit you may be riding in is not completely up to standards inside or out (ie so dirty even a thorough cleaning leaves it appearing grungy/dimly lit, heat/ac do not properly work, engine issues, etc) request to change over your unit to one that meets the standards set forth in the "patients bill of rights". If you are denied said request, document in your journal that your request for a "clean and properly maintained" ambulance was denied, and if you deem necessary, type a special report detailing the same.

[Confused]

How are you supposed to clean the unit if the department does not issue carwash soap and/or brushes? I guess we're supposed to use mops?

[oldhead]

This really isn't that difficult. If your unit is dirty, inside or out, put yourself out for decon/restocking and do it before you leave the hospital, OUC can't deny that, and if they do, advise them your unit is unfit for transport and could lead to a potential lawsuit. Trust me, they'll fall all over themselves to put you OOS. If the fems administrator stops you on the way back to quarters explain what you're doing. If there are no cleaning supplies for the outside of the unit, document it in the company journal. NO EXCUSES for a dirty interior! Remember you or one of your brothers might be transported in that same unit!

[oldhead]

Besides, our budget is ample, we got plenty of everything! :mad:

[Wonderboy]

sorry to say OLDHEAD but there has been planty of times when OUC has put a unit on a run from being OOS for DECON and after explaining to the ELO that your unit has blood all over the back being told to continue on the run. guess they should have documented thatwhen the finished up on the next 20 runns or so...

[oldhead]

Then take a picture of it with your handy dandy cell phone camera, log onto the interweb with same phone and send it out to the entire planet. Unless the call is a true life or death emergency close to you, OUC can't make you respond, they can't see the condition of your unit, and neither can the ELO. Call the damn BFC. Call the DFC. MAKE someone listen. I recall hearing units going out for fuel then being placed on a run, advising OUC they were nearly out of fuel and being told to take the run anyway. You can't respond if you're out of fuel and neither OUC nor the ELO can tell how much fuel you have. If you're out you're out. If you need decon you need decon. End of story. If they won't listen call your officer. If he's out or won't listen, call a BFC, Call the stinkin' DFC. We're pretty big on the chain of command thing, you start jumping it SOMEONE will listen. And while I don't feel your pain now, I can empathize with what you're going through. I've been assigned to some reasonably busy companies, I've ridden some busy ambulances, I am familiar with what it's like.

[pseudonym]

If your unit is OOS for DECON and you are placed on a run I would suggest the following. Remind OUC you are OOS for DECON and that you unit is in no shape to take a run. Request an alternate channel with the ELO to explain the situation. Request that an EMS supervisor respond to your location. If denied or still forced to take the run, take pictures of the unit/equipment that still need to be decontaminated. Type a special report detailing the specifics of the situation, including run numbers, incident types, locations, etc. Print the pictures you took and turn them in as "supporting documentation" with your special report.

If while taking the run in the dirty ambulance, your patient complains, explain to them that they are right, that you were forced to take the run with the unit in its current condition without being allowed time to properly clean your unit, and that it is a violation of their rights as patients. Explain the whole situation to them, and advise them of the number of the BFC, DCF, PIO, and FEMS administrator, as well as the mayor should they wish to file an official complaint. Be sure to document the patient complaint in the special report.

[Pumperman]

Cleaning apparatus out of our pockets is just another way we have saved our employer's from a line item on a budget. There are many ways we save money by either purchasing ourselves, fixing ourselves, remodeling ourselves, etc. With piss poor morale caused by an administration that doesn't care about the troops, this should stop.

[HookHomo]

I spend every bit of $300.00 a year on apparatus cleaning and maintenance supplies, and that is just me. Other guys in the company spend just as much. Not any more!! This administation and the Obama administration can G F Y!!!
"It's not just a job, it's a joke"

[HOOKwoMAN]

HH- spoken like a true red-neck paid tick!

[pseudonym]

HH-
While I am right there with you in your feelings about the Gray administration and associated stooges and what they doing to the job/city, I am curious as to how the Obama administration has anything to do with the cleanliness of our EMS units.

[oldhead]

Bobby Bouchet, you stay away from Obama, he's the devil! :p