Comments on: Questions for EMS providers - police, fire, rescue, dispatchers? http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers Mon, 21 May 2012 21:51:20 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: rita_alabama http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6270 rita_alabama Tue, 27 Oct 2009 04:03:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6270 Yup, I'd say about 70-80% of the calls I run are most likey BS. People tend to think that they will be taken more seriously and be seen quicker if they call an ambulance, but they don't seem to realize that the ER staff is pretty wise to that tactic. I always get annoyed when I see several perfectly good cars in the drive, and the patient meets us at the ambulance with suitcase in hand, ready to go to the ER for her recurring toothache (they've already referred her to the dentist several times, but she wants the "good" pain meds that the ED staff prescribes). I really do love my job, and the few genuine "emergencies" make it all worthwhile, but we all get a bit fed up with being used as a taxi service. Just so all the "civilians" who read this understand, I always treat all patients the same. I might grumble about it to my partner later, but every patient gets the same compassionate and courteous treatment. I try to remember that just because I don't think it's an emergency, doesn't mean it's not an emergency to them, but for goodness sakes! When did it become OK to call an ambulance for a hangnail? (I'm not kidding - I responded to that call)<br><b>References : </b><br>I'm a paramedic Yup, I’d say about 70-80% of the calls I run are most likey BS.
People tend to think that they will be taken more seriously and be seen quicker if they call an ambulance, but they don’t seem to realize that the ER staff is pretty wise to that tactic. I always get annoyed when I see several perfectly good cars in the drive, and the patient meets us at the ambulance with suitcase in hand, ready to go to the ER for her recurring toothache (they’ve already referred her to the dentist several times, but she wants the "good" pain meds that the ED staff prescribes).

I really do love my job, and the few genuine "emergencies" make it all worthwhile, but we all get a bit fed up with being used as a taxi service.

Just so all the "civilians" who read this understand, I always treat all patients the same. I might grumble about it to my partner later, but every patient gets the same compassionate and courteous treatment. I try to remember that just because I don’t think it’s an emergency, doesn’t mean it’s not an emergency to them, but for goodness sakes! When did it become OK to call an ambulance for a hangnail? (I’m not kidding - I responded to that call)
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I’m a paramedic

]]> By: the_mr911 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6269 the_mr911 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:33:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6269 I've been a 911 Telecommunicator for 10 years and I've heard it all already.... But you have to remember that even though we (people in public safety) know what a true emergency is, when those people call 911 they think what they're calling about IS a true emergency. Sometimes we have to give them the talk about misuse of the system, but most of the time it's simply taking the info and prioritizing it accordingly. It's not a big deal to me, I can put someone on hold if I need to and handle the calls as I see fit. It's just another variable amidst chaos.<br><b>References : </b><br> I’ve been a 911 Telecommunicator for 10 years and I’ve heard it all already…. But you have to remember that even though we (people in public safety) know what a true emergency is, when those people call 911 they think what they’re calling about IS a true emergency. Sometimes we have to give them the talk about misuse of the system, but most of the time it’s simply taking the info and prioritizing it accordingly. It’s not a big deal to me, I can put someone on hold if I need to and handle the calls as I see fit. It’s just another variable amidst chaos.
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]]> By: Drewboy http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6268 Drewboy Tue, 27 Oct 2009 03:05:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6268 Quite alot. Im a Dispatcher for a Univeristy Police Dept. and you aint seen some BS calls! Just hang in there. We in the people business have to deal with some really dumb things. Some how we'll make it!!! Take it easy!<br><b>References : </b><br>PD Dispatcher Quite alot. Im a Dispatcher for a Univeristy Police Dept. and you aint seen some BS calls! Just hang in there. We in the people business have to deal with some really dumb things. Some how we’ll make it!!!

Take it easy!
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PD Dispatcher

]]> By: Brian C http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6267 Brian C Tue, 27 Oct 2009 02:19:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6267 I'd have to agree with 80%. They call the 'emergency' in and when you get there, you find that it happened days ago or wasn't quite as serious as they thought. Still, you have to treat each call the same and remember that you're getting paid to listen to these people and provide solutions to their problems. You might be the only contact they ever have with an officer of your agency and you should always strive to present a professional image.<br><b>References : </b><br> I’d have to agree with 80%. They call the ‘emergency’ in and when you get there, you find that it happened days ago or wasn’t quite as serious as they thought. Still, you have to treat each call the same and remember that you’re getting paid to listen to these people and provide solutions to their problems. You might be the only contact they ever have with an officer of your agency and you should always strive to present a professional image.
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]]> By: scruffycat http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6266 scruffycat Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:58:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6266 Well, for the record, because I know that you guys get so many false alarms, it makes me think twice before calling an ambulance for someone. Remember this, please, civilians don't necessarily always understand the difference between a diarrhea cramp and appendicitis.. Me? I grew up in a VERY medical family (lots of doctors and nurses), so I do know the difference... My brother is an insensitive ER doc in another state... he complains all the time about the stuff you are talking about here. I tell him the same thing... non-medical people are often frightened by unfamiliar pains they don't understand... please, consider that even when you are frustrated. I called an ambulance for an elderly friend once and the EMS folks were so incredibly rude to her... I have to say that, despite my respect, I snapped at them and told them she did not understand and that they were upsetting her more. They apologized to me, later. I also called one for a student whom I tutor... he was having an asthma attack and I was not sure whether to call or not. I honestly was not familiar with the signs of extreme distress and the teen kept telling me not to worry and not to call... I finally followed my intuition and called, and the EMTs said it was good that I did, as he could have died... he has, since, been to the hospital 3 or 4 more times with extreme asthma attacks. But it is my fear that I am "overreacting" that ultimately makes me hesitate to call in the first place.<br><b>References : </b><br> Well, for the record, because I know that you guys get so many false alarms, it makes me think twice before calling an ambulance for someone.

Remember this, please, civilians don’t necessarily always understand the difference between a diarrhea cramp and appendicitis..

Me? I grew up in a VERY medical family (lots of doctors and nurses), so I do know the difference…

My brother is an insensitive ER doc in another state… he complains all the time about the stuff you are talking about here. I tell him the same thing… non-medical people are often frightened by unfamiliar pains they don’t understand… please, consider that even when you are frustrated.

I called an ambulance for an elderly friend once and the EMS folks were so incredibly rude to her… I have to say that, despite my respect, I snapped at them and told them she did not understand and that they were upsetting her more. They apologized to me, later.

I also called one for a student whom I tutor… he was having an asthma attack and I was not sure whether to call or not. I honestly was not familiar with the signs of extreme distress and the teen kept telling me not to worry and not to call… I finally followed my intuition and called, and the EMTs said it was good that I did, as he could have died… he has, since, been to the hospital 3 or 4 more times with extreme asthma attacks.

But it is my fear that I am "overreacting" that ultimately makes me hesitate to call in the first place.
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]]> By: ohiofirefighter42 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6265 ohiofirefighter42 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:48:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6265 About the same as yours.<br><b>References : </b><br> About the same as yours.
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]]> By: jbradc69 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6264 jbradc69 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:58:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6264 I agree with kevw it probably is around 80% but the other 20% makes it worth while<br><b>References : </b><br>Volunteer Firefighter / EMT-B I agree with kevw it probably is around 80% but the other 20% makes it worth while
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Volunteer Firefighter / EMT-B

]]> By: kevw25 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6263 kevw25 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 00:40:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6263 lots and lots. but hey, if i have to weed thru the 80% bs to get to the 20% real emergencies, its still worth it.<br><b>References : </b><br>cop lots and lots. but hey, if i have to weed thru the 80% bs to get to the 20% real emergencies, its still worth it.
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cop

]]> By: PJ http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers/comment-page-1#comment-6262 PJ Mon, 26 Oct 2009 23:59:59 +0000 http://kingsportfire.com/fire-rescue/questions-for-ems-providers-police-fire-rescue-dispatchers#comment-6262 about 80% sounds right. One area I worked in the hospitals started taking people of the streachers and making them wait in the waiting rooms if it was somehting stupid. It started to help cut back on the BS before I left.<br><b>References : </b><br> about 80% sounds right.

One area I worked in the hospitals started taking people of the streachers and making them wait in the waiting rooms if it was somehting stupid. It started to help cut back on the BS before I left.
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