Now Ye're Talking - to a Firefighter/Paramedic

Appleguy wrote: »

Hi

I had an accident a few years ago and morphine couldn't be administered at the scene as the Advanced Paramedic was on cooking duty in the station. Are there any contingencies in place for other crew members to do this now?

During that same incident it took > 40 minutes to respond to my location in South Dublin with an ambulance and a further 20 minutes for a fire tender. Can the Fire/Ambulance Service Use the Eircodes as of yet to find a location more quickly? Or is there a way of speeding this up?

Guys who responded were very nice and professional and thanks. But I was in agony and think that could have been avoided.

I should have probably stated at the start of this, that I cannot comment on specific incidents if I was not there (hearsay is a dangerous line to take!!!) and if there are legal implications I will also not comment. I'm new to this sort of thing to be honest...

As I was not there, I will go with what generally happens. Generally, our AP's who travel on trucks/cars etc, are not cooks in the stations, so turn out all of the time. Our paramedics at the moment do not administer morphine, only AP's, but our AP car would ordinarily be on the road, or our National Ambulance service colleagues may also assist. It is the call of the crew at the scene and the dispatchers who will decide if Advanced Paramedic assistance is needed, as our standard crews can also administer pain killing gas or ibuprofen etc.

As with all emergency services, we can also be stretched to near limits when least expected. The best available response is always sent to best aid the injured parties.

As for eircode. I am not sure, but I will enquire if that is happening.

Mightydrumming wrote: »

First up, really appreciate you taking the time out to answer some questions!

I am hoping to recruit as a paramedic in the near future, from the paramedic point of view - having the training of both firefighter/paramedic does it change your outlook on-scene? I.E more observant of hazards etc..

Finally, how did you find the overall training process with DFB?

Thanks again for your service and taking the time to answer questions, keep up the great work

Without doubt, the dual training of FF/PM is huge benefit. When you're working with people of the exact same training and speed of thought, the job at hand moves much more smoothly and speedily! This is no reflection on other services, it's just that when the crew work together all the time, they become like a clock work! Observation of hazards is a cross-service, cross-job skill that becomes second nature, not just a DFB skill.

I used to dread each day in the training centre in DFB, especially in the early stages, it's very militaristic, and dogmatic... But as the days and weeks and months went by, we realised why they trained us this way. It shaped the firefighters/paramedics we are today. In other words, no regrets at all.

The Sun King wrote: »

How do you feel when you hear of crews getting attacked while out on call?

Ever had a situation where you've felt like packing it in? Aggressive crowd etc.

I have been attacked and injured. I have heard of crews been attacked and injured. I feel no ill toward the people who do this, just pity. They raise the risk of emergency services not responding to their areas by doing this. That inevitably ends up hurting them, and their loved ones. I have had to use self defence at times too. A shame, especially when I am there to help them!

I've never felt like packing it in from violent attacks, but maybe after other incidents.

The Sun King wrote: »

Care to expand?

Thanks for responding.

Well, the smiley face is not appropriate for a start! Tragic incidents often lead to reasons we question what we do!

The Sun King wrote: »

The smiley face was more of a friendly "if you feel like it, no pressure" gesture. I've no idea what you could have come out with so didn't want to seem pushy.

Well I apologise. Sincerely! Just didn't feel a smiling face was appropriate!

Thanks for the questions. I've enjoyed this so far.

ectoraige wrote: »

1When you rotate onto the ambulances are you generally paired with the same person? If not, is there anything done specifically in training to reduce the impact that changing partners can have on teamwork?

2Obviously some calls will be distressing because of the casualties involved, for example incidents involving young children, but are there types of calls you dread going to because of the situation itself?

3Are management receptive to changes or suggestions coming from the coalface, or is it still a "us versus them" setup?

4Finally, do you cross paths much with voluntary organisations or the auxiliaries?

1) No, we are all trained to the same regime, so different partners is not an issue.
2)Drunks covered in vomit or their own fecal matter is not something I relish!!!
3)Us V Them has wained a fair bit I suppose, but still there to a small extent.
4) Very rarely, unless there is a major event going on!

Fluorescence wrote: »

What are the ratios of men:women like in the DFB? What kind of hours do you guys work?

Is there a slidey pole in the station?? :P

Not sure of the exact ratios, but I'd say theres about 30 women in the job now. When I joined there were only a couple. There a workforce of apporx 800

Night shift is 15 hours Sunday to Friday, Saturday night is 16 hours.
Day shift is obviously 9 hours (8 on Sunday)

And yes, all the stations have a pole. Our living quarters are generally on the 2nd floor of most stations, it's the quickest way down for a turnout!

thelad95 wrote: »

Without disclosing anything that could get you in legal trouble, what's the most messed up incident you've ever been called out to either as a paramedic or firefighter?

A traffic accident with a bus incident was bad with several fatalities, but I also attended a house fire with multiple fatalities including children a good few years ago.