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Permalink Reply by Jason Koontz on April 29, 2009 at 2:45pm

I loved it. You get the training as both fire and EMS, and not only are you the on-scene care provider, but you take them all the way in. You get to do the treatment, document everything, and give the report to the nurses and docs. Its a total care package. We rotated between the ambulance and the engine, so everyone did it all. You know your EMS crew because they're at your station with you. When things go wrong, you have more hands that know the ambulance as intimately as you do, because they work on it as much as you do, so things can happen much faster. With two, you're never wuite sure who'll show up. Could be the new guy that's still learning or the old guy that knows it all. When you're together in one department, the ambulance is usualy either right in front of you or right behind you. Plus you can train more together, discuss the calls right after they're completed, and the team is more a cohesive unit sooner. I've worked both ways, and I honestly like it a lot more when you're in the same house together, vs. the two crews being seperated. Keeps the team closer and just able to work together better.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Schlags (Captain Busy) Retd on April 29, 2009 at 2:45pm

off the top of my head...

reduced costs for housing (one vs. two locations)
more people = better insurance rates for health insurance
better working relationship living and working under the same roof
better accountability
simultaneous responses from the same place
increased opportunities to train together
more talent in the kitchen
ems folks can provide in house training for firefighters
cost effective approach for providing emergency services

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Permalink Reply by Chief Martin on April 29, 2009 at 2:53pm

Thank-you, fire responds on all MVA's, and of course we respond with fire on all stucture fires, gas leaks etc. We all know each other we have worked together for years. EMS is a full time during the day, fire is still volunteer. EMS volunteer at night. We train together.

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Permalink Reply by Chief Martin on April 29, 2009 at 2:56pm

We will not be under one roof (I wish) it will still be under two. No sleeping quarters at fire house only EMS building.
EMS is only full time during the day so we are the only ones with insurance. (3 of us)
Talent in kitchen (smile) that would me the Chief still cooking!
Thank-You!!

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