I was listening to Dekalb FD earlier today.. Some of the EMS units were calling themselves "Medic" and some "Rescue". I heard Dekalb MAY be going out of the transport business..anybody know what's up? They just bought those huge ambulances...
Dekalb EMS units
- Thread starter jcanupp
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DeKalb Co EMS
Actually, DeKalb has NOT bought new EMS transport units. What they did was substitute Rural Metro EMS for Care EMS after Care alledgely violated the terms of their contract. Once Rural Metro Ambulance (RMA) was awarded the contract, they purchased 12 new EMS transport units. They were delivered so fast that RMA has to put their name on the doors using magnetic signs. I haven't actually heard what DeKalb dispatchers are using to refer to RMA on the air but "Rescue" is the term used on the air for DeKalb Fire transport units.
Actually, DeKalb has NOT bought new EMS transport units. What they did was substitute Rural Metro EMS for Care EMS after Care alledgely violated the terms of their contract. Once Rural Metro Ambulance (RMA) was awarded the contract, they purchased 12 new EMS transport units. They were delivered so fast that RMA has to put their name on the doors using magnetic signs. I haven't actually heard what DeKalb dispatchers are using to refer to RMA on the air but "Rescue" is the term used on the air for DeKalb Fire transport units.
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
All of the R/M units are Paramedic staffed (ALS), with most of them coming from CARE. I'm quite sure DKFD EMS will responds as first responder and TOT R/M when they arrive on scene.
30319
Member
Dekalb EMS
Dekalb DID just purchase those HUGE ambulances (nice chevron on the back). Dekalb Fire used to refer to the BLS Care units as Basic____ ( 61, 62, 63, etc.). I would think that perhaps now that RMA is operating ALS units they refer to them as Medic____. I far as I know they still refer to the FD transport units as Rescue___.
Anyone old enought to remember when Dekalb EMS was run by civilians and was seprate and unequal? We used to call them the "God Squad". Most od the Medics were too good to make eye contact with you!
Ahhhhhhhhh the good old days! Glad there gone...kinda.....
Dekalb DID just purchase those HUGE ambulances (nice chevron on the back). Dekalb Fire used to refer to the BLS Care units as Basic____ ( 61, 62, 63, etc.). I would think that perhaps now that RMA is operating ALS units they refer to them as Medic____. I far as I know they still refer to the FD transport units as Rescue___.
Anyone old enought to remember when Dekalb EMS was run by civilians and was seprate and unequal? We used to call them the "God Squad". Most od the Medics were too good to make eye contact with you!
Ahhhhhhhhh the good old days! Glad there gone...kinda.....
FesteringMaggot2
Member
I think we're all civilians as we are non-military, but I then invite the comment that some firefighters are sworn to an oath making them non-civilian but non-military - which leaves me with an awkward "uh huhhhh" response. As a firefighter medic I always bristle when I see medics acting superior to firefighters, but firefighters can certainly have attitudes of superiority as well, especially fire department administration even though the vast majority of all calls are medical related. But like 30319 was saying, there were quite a few DeKalb medics with attitudes of superiority towards fire. A silly battle I think since both are public servants with significant workplace danger and knowledge requirements.
Anyway, Rural Metro is the new ALS provider, the big trucks DeKalb just bought are supposed to become squads for response to major incidents and house fires - people movers and rehab units.
Their first phase in is complete, the next hiring phase will add 10 more Rural/Metro trucks to what they just started and hiring for that begins next week. They've said they already interviewed over 100 paramedics and EMTs but that number is certainly a low estimate of interviews. Mass orientation and skills station checkoffs,drug screen, here's your truck, out the door!
They're also doing staggered 12 hour shifts for each truck, as opposed to the poor DeKalb fire medics and 24 hour shifts. That's just ridiculous for any busy EMS service, but is so common and "cheaper."
I'm sure the fire guys aren't crying over losing EMS responsibility, and I've met many looking for some extra side money in their home county - in addition to the CARE guys trying to get their jobs restored.
Anyway, Rural Metro is the new ALS provider, the big trucks DeKalb just bought are supposed to become squads for response to major incidents and house fires - people movers and rehab units.
Their first phase in is complete, the next hiring phase will add 10 more Rural/Metro trucks to what they just started and hiring for that begins next week. They've said they already interviewed over 100 paramedics and EMTs but that number is certainly a low estimate of interviews. Mass orientation and skills station checkoffs,drug screen, here's your truck, out the door!
They're also doing staggered 12 hour shifts for each truck, as opposed to the poor DeKalb fire medics and 24 hour shifts. That's just ridiculous for any busy EMS service, but is so common and "cheaper."
I'm sure the fire guys aren't crying over losing EMS responsibility, and I've met many looking for some extra side money in their home county - in addition to the CARE guys trying to get their jobs restored.
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
Think about this as well. I'm not sure if working on an ambulance paid different or not when you have a paramedic ranking, but if it did, quite a few are going to be losing money since they are not on it any more. Yeah, they will have "rescue" trucks, but it's still not the same as being the EMS unit.
God Squad - I hadn't heard that term since I was in EMS back in the 80's. They were so brazen, that they wouldn't wear the State Advanced/Paramedic patch on their uniforms, instead they wore a DeKalb County Paramedic patch.
God Squad - I hadn't heard that term since I was in EMS back in the 80's. They were so brazen, that they wouldn't wear the State Advanced/Paramedic patch on their uniforms, instead they wore a DeKalb County Paramedic patch.
30319
Member
Dekalb EMS
Thank you gents. Excellent posts.
FM2 ---Yes, sir, I meant that the old school OG Paramedics from Dekalb EMS (step child of FD, back in the 80"s) were not sworn as opposed to the Firefighters. That made them civilans. Sorry for the poor choice of words.
Mike---You know what I speak of! They would never look in the general direction of Grady, Metro, Starlife, Transmed, Superior, Atlanta South, Southern or Central personnnel. Can't remember the other services.
It seems that Rural/Metro has started their world domination tour ! I wish they would depart Fulton County.
EMS is the backbone of the Fire Service. I hope Dekalb knows what their doing.
Good times!
Thank you gents. Excellent posts.
FM2 ---Yes, sir, I meant that the old school OG Paramedics from Dekalb EMS (step child of FD, back in the 80"s) were not sworn as opposed to the Firefighters. That made them civilans. Sorry for the poor choice of words.
Mike---You know what I speak of! They would never look in the general direction of Grady, Metro, Starlife, Transmed, Superior, Atlanta South, Southern or Central personnnel. Can't remember the other services.
It seems that Rural/Metro has started their world domination tour ! I wish they would depart Fulton County.
EMS is the backbone of the Fire Service. I hope Dekalb knows what their doing.
Good times!
I usually avoid "hot buttons" like this, but...yes, there was a time when FD and EMS split..FACT. There were Paramedics who had attitudes toward others...FACT. AND, there were times when Paramedics were not welcome at their own stations and shifts because firefighters who were very outspoken "EMS HATERS", yes self-proclaimed. I know, because I worked there back then. I wanted to be cross trained and do both..I do remember some Excellent Paramedics that I looked up to..many of them hung in there for about 25 or 30 years to retire. I also remember some very hard working Firefighters, many of them I liked very much, that's why I have an intrest in listening to them. With the Paramedics who recently retired, passed an era. I wish they were non-transporting while I was there, I I might have stayed! The call volume is way too high for 24 hour shifts. I miss many of them, God bless them!
b7spectra
EMS Dispatcher
Sometimes it is better if you have the two separated - FD & EMS. That way you can keep a rescue truck available to respond after EMS gets on the scene. With the way things are going these days, a lot of FD personnel are EMT certified and quite a few of them are getting their Paramedic. It's a win-win for everyone out there when you have a fully EMT/Paramedic certified FD in a city/county. I still get kicks out of people when they ask why does the FD respond on medical emergencies!
Several of the folks I went through EMT school with ended up at DeKalb. A couple fit right in with their arrogance and the others were the ones who helped change their image!
Several of the folks I went through EMT school with ended up at DeKalb. A couple fit right in with their arrogance and the others were the ones who helped change their image!
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