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Firemen Going to Medical Calls that are not Medically Trained!
On my department a lot of our calls are medical calls and we've got 15-20 fireman that are medical trained for this reason and the ambulance will call use when they need assistance. But we get quite a few fireman that show up that are not trained at all, they might have cpr but thats it. Nobody seems to care about this that we've got untrained people trying to help out at medical calls. My question is, is this even legal and what would happen if it would ever go to court and what can be done to try to stop it. I just dont want a lawsuit and the other fireman are like it'll never happen, maybe I'm over reacting here I dont know.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by anne potter on
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I thank you guys for being there when we need the help the little that you do help quicken the care time for the pt.. So I thank you for all you dooo
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Permalink Reply by Joe Stoltz on
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Dammit TJ, I guess I am still confused. My understanding of your scenario is this:
- You have a fire department in town
- You have an ambulance agency in town
- There is NO CONNECTION at all between the ambulance and fire agencies.
- When an ambulance call is dispatched, the FD members would not know it unless they are monitoring the ambulance agency's channel.
- FD members listening in on the ambulance channel are self-dispatching themselves to the scene even though the FD has NOT BEEN dispatched.
This is what you are talking about, correct?
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Brian my friend always there set me straight..lol The thread was about having them there is the first place... which to me it is nice to have them there to help when needed... I have never come across a fireman who beat me to scene and just started treating a pt.. Not saying it does not happen in other places... But thanks brian I get the thread....
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Permalink Reply by Andy Marsh on
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Don't know much else about your dept's situation, so I will offer this. .....
Look into your state's bls/als protocols. Have a copy available for periodic review.
Check with your dept's attorney and insurance provider, their attorney, and your town's attorney.
Are you a certified ems, (QRS) provider through your state? If not, get it and a medical director.
Do you have sogs regarding ems responses, if not, develop them.
Do you have an exposure plan in place for all responders?
Good Samaritan laws generally apply to the "lay public" not the "emergency responders".
Having said all that, non -medically trained personnel can be a great asset at a scene. They can help lift, they can help with cpr, if trained, they can write information down, and as long as they are familiar with the unit and equipment, they can help fetch stuff, and if applicable, they can help set up landing zones.
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You are right .. Good point.. Ambulance/firedept.. Or seperated depts.. Then it would be call jumping. Then yes I would have a problem with fireman showing up with out being toned out.Ambulance chasing.. Need more info.. Still in the long run extra help never hurts anyone....
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Permalink Reply by Brian Dumser on
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My mistake, Anne. I appologize.
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Permalink Reply by Steve on
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You said that the ambo call's you guys, meaning there's already at least an emt and a paramedic on scene. How many can possible work on a patient at one time. If they have thier cpr/ advanced first aid, i think your grasping at straws. Perhaps thier something more going on between you and those members.
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Permalink Reply by Dave on
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TJ, they have first repsonder correct? What more do they really need? They are not on the Ambulance, and your dept does not make it mandatory that they become emt's or paramedics correct? BAsic first responder is all they need. I run into something like this everyday I go to work. I am a paramedic,but my dept is only licensed to first responder. I can only do what a first responder can do, basic back boarding and O2.
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Permalink Reply by T.J. on
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Dave, we are a 1st responder group with all sorts of different medcal trained people, but like you said we can only do a s a MFR but we've got firemen with only cpr or nothing at all going to medical calls and sometimes on scene first.
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It's ok I always can use a back up... lol I'm glad you are there to keep me straight.lol
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I think it is up to your dept to train these members to the first responder level
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