HSE National Ambulance Service

Tango Alpha 51

In the absence of any official press release I thought that the members of the board & other members of the general public would like to know that as of from Monday the 2nd of June 2008, the National Ambulance Service personnel will be wearing their new operational uniform.This uniform consists of green pants & a white shirt with the new NAS logo on the l.h.s. & the members title in gold underneath ie EMT,Paramedic or Advanced Paramedic. The HSE logo will appear over the RHS breast pocket. We will continue to keep the Garda blue uniform as our dress uniform. The new operational uniform will make us easily identifiable from our other ES colleagues.

On a seperate note, all Ambulances issued by the NAS since 2006 now sport a KE registration, no matter where you are in the country. And they are all yellow with the new NAS logo on both sides.

metman

Any pics of the new kit buzzman? What're your personal thoughts? You like the new kit?

Fyr.Fytr

Seen some wearing it, dont like it.

Prefer the old bottle green pants and shirt, looks better.

Ambulances look ok, still weary of anything that isnt a transit though lol.

The bodys look the same as LAS

Tango Alpha 51

metman wrote: »

Any pics of the new kit buzzman? What're your personal thoughts? You like the new kit?

No pics as yet Metman, but will try & get some on monday. I'm not too sure about the feasibility of a white shirt for operational wear. I would have prefered a hi vis bomber jacket. Still no sign of the anti stab vests !!!

Tango Alpha 51

Fyr.Fytr wrote: »

Seen some wearing it, dont like it.

Prefer the old bottle green pants and shirt, looks better.

Ambulances look ok, still weary of anything that isnt a transit though lol.

The bodys look the same as LAS

They shouldn't have been wearing it before the 2nd of June.

The "old bottle green pants & shirt" was ERAS only. Of the other remaining old Health Boards from 2002 to present times, the NEHB, NWHB, MHB & MWHB all wore green shirt/black pants. The SEHB & WHB wore navy pants/shirt whilst the SHB wore navy pants/white shirt.

The transits were underpowered compared to the merc's. The new ambulances are light years ahead of anything we've had before. At least with the creation of the National Ambulance Service, we now have our own identity.

metman

buzzman wrote: »

No pics as yet Metman, but will try & get some on monday. I'm not too sure about the feasibility of a white shirt for operational wear. I would have prefered a hi vis bomber jacket. Still no sign of the anti stab vests !!!

Its the same old rubbish isn't it? A white shirt for EMS staff :rolleyes: Imagine a world where management consult the people who do the job on the frontline before choosing new operational kit......we can but dream.

The Met asked fashion students to come up with new operational kit recently, and what did they design; a 'cloak' like what was worn in the 19th century, only in hi-viz. God forbid the job'd consult the people wearing the bloody uniform.



....another reason I'm considering a transfer!

Fyr.Fytr

Buzzman maybe it was pts staff or similar i saw wearing it, only had a quick glance.

Green and green still would look best, makes you unique too with dfb and some of the privates wearing navy with navy shirts (one with white)

The green and black looked cack.

Thats fair enough about the merc's, just got to think of long term for us vols who buy them off you

metman

Buzz what you need, to ensure you get the best kit, is to set up a SWAB Team!




SWAB (Special Wounds and Bandages) is a specialized unit in many United Kingdom Ambulance Services, which is trained to perform dangerous operations. These can include dressing head wounds of violent drunks, performing hostage rescue, preventing panic attacks and engaging heavily “chaved” people in conversation. SWAB teams are equipped with specialized kit including heavy duty thermos flasks (for when it’s a bit nippy), portable DVD players (while away the hours on standby), kevlar armoured string vest (cos you never know) and NASA designed combat/medic boots with full-on satellite tracking and built in computer (determines if you are really on scene and not lurking nearby). Also issued are specialized MOE tools (Method Of Entry) usually a half brick for window entry and a sturdy wheelie bin to ram through the front door (if no answer to polite knocking). SWAB teams also have special NVE (Night Vision Equipment)…..a torch.


SWAB duties
Swab duties include:
Non-violent treatment of desperate barricaded casualties;
Protecting emergency personnel against BB gun snipers;
Providing high-ground and perimeter security against BB gun snipers for visiting dignitaries;
Providing controlled assault bandaging in certain non-riot situations, i.e., barricaded casualties;
Rescuing officers and citizens captured or endangered by Chavs and/or Chavettes; and,
Neutralizing local pond scum or estate hoodies.


Training
SWAB officers are selected from volunteers within their Ambulance Service organization. Depending on the services policy, Officers generally have to serve a minimum tenure within the service before being able to apply for a specialist section such as SWAB. This tenure requirement is based on the fact that SWAB officers are still Ambulance Stretcher Monkeys and must have a thorough knowledge of service policies and procedures.SWAB applicants undergo rigorous selection and training, similar to the training some special operations units in the Salvation Army receive. Applicants must pass stringent physical agility, written, oral, and psychological testing to ensure they are not only fit enough but also psychologically suited for tactical operations.

In addition, applicants must successfully pass a stringent background investigation and job performance review. Emphasis is placed on physical fitness so an officer will be able to withstand the rigors of a twelve hour shift without a break. After an officer has been selected, the potential member must undertake and pass numerous specialist courses that will make him/her a fully qualified SWAB operator. Officers are trained in bandagemanship for the development of accurate bandaging skills, although the use of bandages is considered a last resort in SWAB operations. Other training that could be given to potential members includes training in tea making, sandwich buying, fish and chip price negotiation skills, handling dog units (the Ambulance Service will be getting a K9 unit soon), and groovy discotheque dance moves (for the ladies!) and the use of specialized T.V. remote controls.

SWAB!

FGR

Forget the ARW/ERU; SWAB's where it's at.

Tango Alpha 51

metman wrote: »

Its the same old rubbish isn't it? A white shirt for EMS staff :rolleyes: Imagine a world where management consult the people who do the job on the frontline before choosing new operational kit......we can but dream.

The Met asked fashion students to come up with new operational kit recently, and what did they design; a 'cloak' like what was worn in the 19th century, only in hi-viz. God forbid the job'd consult the people wearing the bloody uniform.



....another reason I'm considering a transfer!

Your right Met, management never discuss these things with us on the road

Fyr.Fytr

Well I've seen it while on duty tonight, looks ok.

Whats it like to work in, not sure white shirts are the best for your work, we wear them too and a few have gone in the bin if you get my drift.

One thing i noticed, the badge on the back of the hi-vis is kind of hard to read the persons title, but the green and yellow give it away as a medic so badge isnt as important.

Eru

I always thought that DFB have great uniforms. Looked a lot more practical, professional and stylish than ours.

Tango Alpha 51

Fyr.Fytr wrote: »

Well I've seen it while on duty tonight, looks ok.

Whats it like to work in, not sure white shirts are the best for your work, we wear them too and a few have gone in the bin if you get my drift.

One thing i noticed, the badge on the back of the hi-vis is kind of hard to read the persons title, but the green and yellow give it away as a medic so badge isnt as important.

I think it's smarter than what we had. Alot of the NHS ambulance services in the UK where the same uniform. The white shirt can get dirty very quickly. Your right about the badge on the back of the Hi Vis being too small.

Tango Alpha 51

Met,
U crack me up with that SWAB thing!!:D:D:D

Fyr.Fytr

Seeing the two side by side, i think they do look quite smart, just the white shirt as you said can and will get filthy quickly. Is there a jacket or something to go over it other then hi-vis?

Tango Alpha 51

We were given a green jacket to wear going & coming from work. This jacket is not for operational wear. Under Health & Safety, we're supposed to wear the Hi vis everytime we're out of the ambulance so that will go someway to keeping them clean. I will post pics as soon as I can.

Traumadoc

have to say it looks pretty smart. I do feel that health and safety should insist the uniform is cleaned by the service and you are not forced to bring contaminated clothing home to be cleaned.

Fyr.Fytr

Dont think hi-vis is required all the time to be honest, personally i think the more you wear it the less effective it becomes, then again wearing a hi-vis that says ambualnce of it at gigs still get the idiots "do you work here??" or the streisand gig one "do you know where my seats are??"

alrilad

Will there be a strike by ambulance staff in ireland and O god what would happen if there was???? Can you imagin the order of malta doing as1 calls:eek: Now dont get me wrong I dont have anything against the order but plz say this wont happen:(

sgthighway

alrilad wrote: »

Will there be a strike by ambulance staff in ireland and O god what would happen if there was???? Can you imagin the order of malta doing as1 calls:eek: Now dont get me wrong I dont have anything against the order but plz say this wont happen:(

AFAIK; If they were to go on strike the Defence Forces are the backup. The Privates would also be available. I would much prefer to see an experienced and trained up member of the Order of Malta coming to help me than a member of the Defence Forces. In some areas the Order of Malta are contacted to respond to calls for the HSE on a regular basis.

As a member of OMAC; I would not cross a Picket Line.

metman

sgthighway wrote: »

I would much prefer to see an experienced and trained up member of the Order of Malta coming to help me than a member of the Defence Forces.

Yeah I think I'd rather a PDF medic thanks.

Tango Alpha 51

sgthighway wrote: »

AFAIK; If they were to go on strike the Defence Forces are the backup. The Privates would also be available. I would much prefer to see an experienced and trained up member of the Order of Malta coming to help me than a member of the Defence Forces. In some areas the Order of Malta are contacted to respond to calls for the HSE on a regular basis.

As a member of OMAC; I would not cross a Picket Line.

You not comparing like for like. PDF medics are trained the same way as us in the HSE of DFB unlike the vol org who have different standards across the different org. In relation to your comment that OMAC are contacted to respond to calls on a regular basis besides Achill were I know this happened where else does it happen.

If we did go on strike, the PDF wouldn't have the required number of staff to cover all the HSE ambo staff, neither would the privates.

PDF Medic over vol FIRST AIDER anytime!!

timmywex

DF medics took over from hse medics in 2001 (i think) in Wexford when there was a big row over on call and the likes.

Its couldnt be done a national basis though

Tango Alpha 51

alrilad wrote: »

Will there be a strike by ambulance staff in ireland and O god what would happen if there was???? Can you imagin the order of malta doing as1 calls:eek: Now dont get me wrong I dont have anything against the order but plz say this wont happen:(

Won't happen !!!!

sgthighway

buzzman wrote: »

You not comparing like for like. PDF medics are trained the same way as us in the HSE of DFB unlike the vol org who have different standards across the different org. In relation to your comment that OMAC are contacted to respond to calls on a regular basis besides Achill were I know this happened where else does it happen.

If we did go on strike, the PDF wouldn't have the required number of staff to cover all the HSE ambo staff, neither would the privates.

PDF Medic over vol FIRST AIDER anytime!!

OMAC run courses that are recognised by PHECC the same people who recognise the training given to DFB.

Achill and Mulranney have withdrawn their emergency services for the HSE due the constant abuse of their voluntary service by the HSE. Its a shame really because their good frontline Ambos are just parked up. Tuam are still been contacted but only after the HSE and Privates are unavailable but they have been out on calls in the last month. I don't know are Tramore still doing calls?

Vol Orgs now have EFRs and should be passing out a lot of EMT-Bs in May & June. I also think they train more regularly on everyday scenarios than PDF Medics.

Are PDF Medics PHECC Registered Paramedics or APs? - I don't know

Tango Alpha 51

sgthighway wrote: »

OMAC run courses that are recognised by PHECC the same people who recognise the training given to DFB.

Achill and Mulranney have withdrawn their emergency services for the HSE due the constant abuse of their voluntary service by the HSE. Its a shame really because their good frontline Ambos are just parked up. Tuam are still been contacted but only after the HSE and Privates are unavailable but they have been out on calls in the last month. I don't know are Tramore still doing calls?

Vol Orgs now have EFRs and should be passing out a lot of EMT-Bs in May & June. I also think they train more regularly on everyday scenarios than PDF Medics.

Are PDF Medics PHECC Registered Paramedics or APs? - I don't know

Am well aware of who PHECC are. OMAC have only recently in the last two months been granted that particular accreditation for EMT-B training

Good frontline ambo's. I've been in Achill every summer for the last 15yrs & I can tell you that their vehicle is in no way comparable to the frontline vehicles used by the HSE/DFB/Army

Vols still train only 1 a week don't they so to say that they train more regularly on everyday scenarios than PDF medics is a bit off the wall. Ourselves, DFB & PDF use our skills on a daily basis.

PDF medics are PHECC registered as Paramedics

Tramore were never dispatched by HSE control. They touted flyers around town actively promoting that they were the 999 ambulance for that area which got them into a lot of trouble both with the HSE & OMAC HQ in Dublin.

We all know that vols have EFR's & some of these will indeed go onto do EMT-B training but again I will state that this does not compare to having a HSE/DFB Para/Adv Para coming out to treat you. EMT-B over 120 hours does not remotely compare with the training we get as Paramedics!!

Even when the vol's have EMT-B's, how are ye going to keep up your skill levels/compliance with the PHECC register

Para1

buzzman wrote: »

We all know that vols have EFR's & some of these will indeed go onto do EMT-B training but again I will state that this does not compare to having a HSE/DFB Para/Adv Para coming out to treat you. EMT-B over 120 hours does not remotely compare with the training we get as Paramedics!!

Even when the vol's have EMT-B's, how are ye going to keep up your skill levels/compliance with the PHECC register

i have to agree with buzzman , cant see how a vol crew could match the level of service needed. while there are some excellent people in the vols, unfortunatly, cfr training isnt even the standard across the board . im saying this as a member of the NAS and OMAC.

maglite

How much exposure do the PDF medic get? do they deal with many people?


Speaking from a Vol point of view, there are some brilliant crew around the place that i feel would be as good as a PDF medic. Now with that said the guarantee that you will get a good crew, a clean ambulance and a full stock of supplies is non existent.

At least wth the PDF they will be told go here do this and they will have the appropriate equipment to deal with the situation.

While from my limited personal experience i do not feel that army medics are as good as the better vols. You cannot get a commitment from any vol that they are available with a good crew(not just qualified EFR/EMFR) and all that entails. That risk more than anything will prevent a vol call out from ever happening.

I have been at events where i have worked alongside CD,OMAC,RC they have all had very impressive ambulances and crew. I have come across stuff, from all 3, that is damm right dangerous to use as an ambulance the risk that this would be turned out with a very poor young unqualified crew is very real.

Para1

There is a big difference between a medic and a paramedic in the army there are members of the RDF who are medics and they certainaly wouldnt be sent out to do the job or a paramedic. i think the point is that you cant beat a person who does it as a full time job, PDF paramedics are trained to the same standered as HSE paramedics and the experience that some one can get from day to day in the job far outweighs that of someone only doing it now and then.

arybvtcw0eolkf

sgthighway wrote: »

I would much prefer to see an experienced and trained up member of the Order of Malta coming to help me than a member of the Defence Forces.

Members of the Defence Forces Medical Corp are some of the most experienced (soldiers) when it comes oversea's service. Oversea's they deal with a huge variety of tasks, from working in the camps medical aid posts, to providing medical and humanitarian assistance to the local population to worse case scenario - medivacs of wounded members and civilians.

And remember, back home they're full time medic's providing a service to the Defence Forces. Not sitting on their arse's playing cards and 'make believe'.

civdef

In areas near to Defence Forces installations with a ambulance, PDF medics regularly assist the HSE.

alrilad

How many emt/paramedics/ap do the df have?? when would they get to put there skills to use? not that often I would imagin!

timmywex

alrilad wrote: »

How many emt/paramedics/ap do the df have?? when would they get to put there skills to use? not that often I would imagin!

As civdef said, they reguarly turn out to any incidents near the curragh and transport to hospital quite reguarly also. So i would imagine theres a few calls in that, not many, beyond that it would be army medical issues if anyone got injured during training or the likes. And tranferring army personnell between curragh and saint bricins perhaps?

arybvtcw0eolkf

alrilad wrote: »

How many emt/paramedics/ap do the df have?? when would they get to put there skills to use? not that often I would imagin!

Some information HERE I've no idea how many medic's the Defence Froces Medical Corp has, but its small in numbers, as a result they've one of the highest turnover's in terms of oversea's service in the Defence Forces.

Whenever I've travelled oversea's I'd had the utmost confidence in the guys providing me and the unit with the high standards of care.

arybvtcw0eolkf

civdef wrote: »

In areas near to Defence Forces installations with a ambulance, PDF medics regularly assist the HSE.

A few years ago there was a member of the Curragh's fire service (DF personnel) killed whilst travelling to a hoax call.

I served oversea's with the guy, Jack (can't remember his surname now).

.

Smokey Bear

As for the strike.What I have been told is that ICTU and individual unions will announce plans after ballot result ,but it is more than likely that all emergency services will still have emergency cover in place for emergency calls using there own resources.What exactly that is will be know shortly and will be coummincated to all emergency services.
info given to IMPACT members in emergency services
"In all instances of industrial action IMPACT ensures that essential and emergency cover is provided. The union will be producing overall guidelines on this and the precise details will be applied locally. IMPACT officials and the IMPACT helpline will be available to advise members or branches who are unclear whether the guidelines apply in particular situations."


Smokey Bear.