sixtytwo said:
Somehow I'm not surprised!
Is there some history I'm missing here between EMS and Fire? They seem to operate differently...
Thanks for the input...
Well yes their's history. Since i'm on the EMS Side, I have a different perspective. We have 60 ALS ambulances , and 15 BLS ambulances. Their are many more EMS runs than fire runs, but we now have ALS fire comapnies. I don't have the ALS company numbers for you, but yes their are quite a few now. Coming around April 16th, their will be six ALS truck companies going in-service. This is a first as it's been primarily Engine companies that were ALS. ALS Trucks going in service: 2, 29, 32, 41, 45, 60.
Their is a little animosity on both sides of the floor between EMS and Fire. We get through it though as we eat together, play together and overall their is a general respect I feel. I have seen the change occur in my years on CFD, some for the better and some not. CFD is definitely more Pro-EMS now then it ever has been. If you don't have an ALS Engine or Truck around you, I can guarantee one of the fire companies around you has an AED.
As far as communications, we currently don't talk to each other much, despite the best attempts of our bosses. If we step out of the ambulance, we can't communicate with the fire company officer as he/she has VHF Fireground and we have UHF/EMS Channels. This will be changing shortly as i'm sure they will designate a channel similar to EMSCommand and Fireground in our current line-up. If I had to take a guess, Fire City-Wide would be the new Fireground Channel, and O.E.M.C. Channel will be re-designated as EMS Command. The best part is we'd all be able to switch over on our portables. I have also heard the rumor they will not be installing apparatus radios, strictly portables. This is just rumor for now and I hope it's not the case. We are also replacing our MDC's in our apparatus with Motorola laptops, which can be removed to complete the run form on. Not sure when everyone will be converted, but the newest ambulances in the fleet (FDC 120 series) have them in the rigs. Hope this is enough history for you for now...