Well color me shocked…
… in Philadelphia they have one of those FireBasedEMS models we hear so much about. You know, like DFD or more appropriately the 858 always seems to want to implement. From this article the line that best sums up the entirety of the Fire Service-> “‘resistant to change,’ and was critical of a management structure that ‘tends to reinforce the status quo.’” No friggin DUH! and more…
The apparent linchpin of the strategy would be beefing up the role and number of paramedics, many of whom now suffer from low morale and feel “exhausted and defeated.”
The study says paramedics should be cross-trained as firefighters and should be available to assist “fire suppression needs.”
Overall, the department now does a good job responding to and fighting fires, according to the study, but falls below national standards for responding to medical emergencies.
“Firefighters do not place the same importance on these calls as on fire calls,” the report said.
Again, can I get a dull, shock and surprise face please? Wait, you mean that in Philly, as well as St. Lious, San Fran, Chicago etc they don’t actually train the paramedics when they “incorporate” take over the EMS agency? You mean to tell me the merger take over didn’t improve response times and that the Fire department seemingly only cares about Fire responses? Shocked I tell you, shocked.
Oh and this ruling makes it pretty clear about the status of Paramedics in the PFD.
