St.Catharines Fire

[Doug093]

Ok, 2 issues I have with this. My first point, well not so much a point as it is a question, what is a code 5 5. At first I thought it was just a studder, but no. Its a firm code 5 5. Now my other issue is medical assist calls. I was always under the impression the the FD was only ever sent to a medical assist when the EMS are going to be delayed. However I've noticed that 9 times out of 10 when they get this call the ambulance is already on scene. So my question is, what is the purpose in sending the FD?

Thanks for any reply's
Doug

 

[MetalCarnage]

Not a clue what code 55 is....as far as the FD going to medical calls, i know in both Thunder Bay and Ajax the FD's are dispatched to any medical call that could be a heart attack, regardless of how close EMS is, they are dispatched at the same time...basically anything like trouble breathing mixed with chest pain of any sort...since FD's carry defib...this is how it works to my knowledge, i dont think it has anything to do with iff ems is going to be delayed

 

[jellotor]

Hmm...that's a good question. Someone once told me that fire gets tiered for code 4 calls but that's not true either since I've heard code 3 calls that are tiered as well.

This can't be one of those 'dispatcher discretion' situations, can it? It'd be pretty tough sometimes to make that call sitting in an office on the phone. Plus, the number of tiered calls are different between full-time FDs and VFDs.

 

[mciupa]

what is the purpose in sending the FD(on a medical assist) ?

The firefighters are trained in CPR as you know, and can provide relief for
the EMS crew if they are occupied in some other way. I'm thinking more
of a multi-casualty scenario.
They carry oxygen, most assists involve a collapse and breathing may be
comprimised.

What is a code 55 ?

Did you hear what context it was being used ? I've heard Code 55 used
as a request to notify the Ontario Fire Marshall , but that may not be the
case with St. Catharines, it may be something altogther different.

 

[imcleish]

In healthcare, the theory is more hands make easier work. The fire department responds to assist the ambulance in any way possible. Sometimes this is for lift assistance, and sometimes for assistance with CPR. Although an ambulance has two medical specialists on board, one must then drive the ambulance to the ER once loaded. As simple as this sounds, when doing CPR or expecting a patient to deteriorate, you require at least two people to treat (enter Firefigther). I guess it is just not common knowledge that it takes at least two people two begin an aggressive resuscitation attempt.

Other than above, the other sad statistic is that sometimes Ambulances are involved in an MVC en-route to the call, this creating an unexpected delay where the Fire Department could assist in life preservation.

All in all, the system has proven more effective than just sending Ambulance.

 

[Doug093]

what is the purpose in sending the FD(on a medical assist) ?

The firefighters are trained in CPR as you know, and can provide relief for
the EMS crew if they are occupied in some other way. I'm thinking more
of a multi-casualty scenario.
They carry oxygen, most assists involve a collapse and breathing may be
comprimised.

What is a code 55 ?

Did you hear what context it was being used ? I've heard Code 55 used
as a request to notify the Ontario Fire Marshall , but that may not be the
case with St. Catharines, it may be something altogther different.

Untill recently I never really paid attention to what type of medical assists the FD were goign to, but after paying better attention they only seem to go to trouble breathing, or chest pains. And the only times I've heard the code 5 5(ITs not 55 like it sounds, its two seperate 5's) it was used with a medical assist. Of the 2 that I've ever heard, the most recent one when like this "Pump 4 respond medical assist, possible 5 5. NRP on scene called it in." So thats what throws me. Only thing that comes to mind with the NRP being mentioned in both cases, could be stabbing or shooting???

 

[jellotor]

This is pretty confusing. It's referred to as a "code five five," correct? Code 5 for EMS is, I believe, in reference to an obviously dead patient. Is there any way to corrolate any of these code five five calls to recent stabbings/killings reported in the media?

 

[bobsflying]

Code 55 is when a unit arrives on scene and finds a patient with visible signs of death or is unconscious or otherwise not normal (e.g. suicide)

There was a call the other day...

Speaking of which... can anyone confirm if there are DPL tones on non-paged transmissions?

B

 

[bobsflying]

Alright... anyone in Niagara able to confirm the proper PL/DPL tones on 155.4450?

The PL of 91.5 Hz is NOT correct.

 

[mrweather]

I thought that they used some kind of QuickCall II signaling?

 

[bobsflying]

To page out stations and pagers they use a Zetron console to page via QuickCall II...

I'm just wondering if anyone knows the proper PL or DPL tones STC fire may use on transmissons. My guess is that they are CSQ... who knows.

Thanks!