Michael Smith and Chad Guillot | 01/11/2010

Planning, implementation and applications

Recognizing the importance of planning and control, an implementation plan was devised to introduce the system by means of a tightly controlled pilot program. It was decided that this pilot program would:

Fire
S. JOSEPH WOODALL | 01/11/2010

Is it just me or is excellent customer service getting harder and harder to find? It appears that our national culture is suffering from a lack of commitment in completely and thoroughly assisting a customer to a positive outcome. The root-causes are many: personnel shortages, a stressful workplace, increasing financial and family challenges, low pay, off-shoring, low morale, automation and on and on. In many of my encounters ‘good’seems to be the benchmark but ‘good’ is somewhere in the middle of the customer service continuum; probably better than average but well below outstanding and excellent.

EMS
Michael Arntz | 10/18/2009

Are electronic medical records necessary in the healthcare? How can electronic medical records be managed more effectively? This article will address those questions.

Electronic medical records (EMRs) have received a lot of attention recently from the healthcare community. Records are a very important part of the healthcare process and using computers wisely can only benefit the patient. If the proper information is gathered at registration this patient information will be reviewed by the healthcare provider. This information can be transferred to other providers or the hospital or other clinics if needed. This definitely saves time for both the patient and the front desk personnel and the healthcare provider.

Equipment
DAVID PEASE | 10/18/2009

Awhile back we looked at OTB water boots, one of the best water boots I have come across. They also make several styles of tactical land boots that have some of the same features as their water boots. I had a chance to wear the Bushmaster tactical boot while I was in Guatemala, and it was extremely comfortable and wore really well. The boot looks almost like the Abyss, one of their water boots, but obviously does not have the holes for water drainage. The Bushmaster boots come in black or tan and are a lower cut style boot. The boot has a mesh quarter panel that keeps your foot cooler, and a dual cushioned inner bed for better wicking and comfort. This lightweight boot is comfortable to wear, has great traction with the vibram sole, and a reinforced rubber toe and heel for climbing. This boot also features reinforced lace loops and an irregular lace so it will not come untied in the field. This is a great lightweight tactical and search boot.

Equipment
TIM WOJCIK | 10/18/2009

Let me take a quick second to stand on my soapbox. Have you ever noticed that we in the fire service are quick and passionate when it comes to training on things like RIT, Mayday Drills and Self Rescue? This is a good thing, but have you also noticed that we tend to be equally as passionate against preventive training and actions? Have you ever been written up for not wearing a seatbelt or using a backer? What was your response? I bet there was passion, but not the good kind!

Rescue
Lenny Yox | 10/18/2009

During the past year, more people than ever before have been buying larger than normal quantities of ammunition and reloading components. There are many reasons for those purchases -- and I will not try to cover them in this article.

I will, however, try to bring out some of the additional dangers posed to us, the responders on a fire or other emergency.

Communications
Lorraine Murphy | 10/18/2009

As firefighters battled flames inside the Twin Towers on Sept. 11, 2001 they were faced with an even larger obstacle. Fire rescue personnel, lacking communications equipment compatible with that used by other responders at the scene, including members of the New York Police Department, were unable to receive warnings of the buildings’ inevitable collapse.

KEEPING YOU SAFE
BRADLEY DEAN | 01/11/2010

We are at the beginning of a safety revolution in EMS. For many years, safety issues have taken a backseat to the pressures of keeping the trucks rolling. Throughout the process we have learned about the dangers our paramedics and EMTs face in the line of duty, and it has become increasingly difficult to ignore the facts staring us in the face.

Fire
DAVE MURPHY | 10/18/2009

"Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country.”

Most of us have heard this famous quote, one that was actually borrowed by President John F. Kennedy during his 1961 inaugural address. Regardless of the original source, the message remains the same. As you are well aware, the national economy has taken, and continues to take, a serious hit. As consumer spending and subsequent sales tax revenue decline, state governments are being forced to eliminate all non-essential programs. Ultimately, local budgets are affected as the downturn eventually trickles to the local level. Most emergency services already operate on a lean budget. In paid departments, it is not uncommon for 90 percent or more of the total budget to be allocated for salaries alone, leaving little for fuel, station maintenance, and gear replacement, and the list goes on and on.

| 01/01/2010

Industry Leaders Revive Class A Training Program