🚀 go-pugleaf

"J. Porter Clark" <jpc@porterclark.com> wrote in message 
news:uQ_vi.17$ap7.4@newsfe03.lga...
> Yesterday, a woman fell down on steps leading out of a church in
> Fayetteville.  Someone called an ambulance.
>
> But a fire truck arrived, followed by the ambulance.  It didn't
> look like the lady was going to spontaneously ignite, despite
> the heat, so I asked why a fire truck was called.  The answer
> that I was given was that they always call a fire truck in
> addition to the ambulance in these cases now, because the
> firemen are trained "first responder" paramedics.
>
> So, I guess the ambulance personnel aren't?
>
> Trying to understand the "All the King's horses" methodology...
>
> -- 
This is how it is done in many places across the country. The basic logic is 
that the Fire Department units are more widely dispersed and have shorter 
response times because they are more likely to be responding from their 
station. Ambulances are busier, fewer units available and will usually have 
a longer response. You also have the issue of manpower on a scene. Ambulance 
crews are usually only 2 people, while the fire truck brings at leat 2-3 
more. In many cases this is very necessary.

The first responder/paramedic training is important so that the initial 
EMT/Firefighter on scene is able to initiate care and then hand care over to 
the ambulance crew who will ultimately transport the person to the hospital. 
The firetruck will be released to be available for more calls in that area 
while the ambulance is transporting.

Jerry S.