It's nice to see someone stand up to the firefighters and their scare tactics. Medicine should be left to the professionals.
slems210:39 a.m. 11/1/2009
Amen! Firefighters DO NOT need to be performing ALS procedures. It is dangerous for them to have any ALS toold or medications. They do not get the training or the experience. Firefighters should be firefighters and EMS professionals should take care of the medicine.
madcracker12:17 p.m. 11/2/2009
Its long over due to see someone stand up to the strong handed tactics of the IAFF and the entire "Firefighter" mentality. EMS accounts for nearly 85% of a fire departments call volume. The medical director is right, this is all about the fire fighters simply trying to justify their jobs given the fact that they only put out a couple dozen structure fires a year whereas some EMS units will run that many calls in a single shift. Well done Dr. Tober, hope your idea spread through out the state.
Forthepeople2:31 p.m. 11/2/2009
Wow, 3 whole comments who support the medical directors dangerous decision! These 3 people are obviously EMS workers who feel threatened by the fire department being a part of their system. Yes, I am a firefighter in Florida and am a paramedic who works in a duel system. I have saved lives and have made a difference in patients suffering while waiting on the ambulance. It is the medical director's responsibility to see that there is training opportunities for both the EMS and the FD departments. I have just under two decades of paramedic experience and wonder what patients would not be happy to have myself on scene or others with my experience level. Often those who work on ambulances have very little experience and are just out of school. The people of Collier County will not put up with this outrage and I'm sure the right thing will happen and the firefighter/paramedics will continue to support the EMS service and help the people of your county.
Dwight 7:46 p.m. 10/31/2009
It's nice to see someone stand up to the firefighters and their scare tactics. Medicine should be left to the professionals.
slems2 10:39 a.m. 11/1/2009
Amen! Firefighters DO NOT need to be performing ALS procedures. It is dangerous for them to have any ALS toold or medications. They do not get the training or the experience. Firefighters should be firefighters and EMS professionals should take care of the medicine.
madcracker 12:17 p.m. 11/2/2009
Its long over due to see someone stand up to the strong handed tactics of the IAFF and the entire "Firefighter" mentality. EMS accounts for nearly 85% of a fire departments call volume. The medical director is right, this is all about the fire fighters simply trying to justify their jobs given the fact that they only put out a couple dozen structure fires a year whereas some EMS units will run that many calls in a single shift.
Well done Dr. Tober, hope your idea spread through out the state.
Forthepeople 2:31 p.m. 11/2/2009
Wow, 3 whole comments who support the medical directors dangerous decision! These 3 people are obviously EMS workers who feel threatened by the fire department being a part of their system. Yes, I am a firefighter in Florida and am a paramedic who works in a duel system. I have saved lives and have made a difference in patients suffering while waiting on the ambulance. It is the medical director's responsibility to see that there is training opportunities for both the EMS and the FD departments. I have just under two decades of paramedic experience and wonder what patients would not be happy to have myself on scene or others with my experience level. Often those who work on ambulances have very little experience and are just out of school. The people of Collier County will not put up with this outrage and I'm sure the right thing will happen and the firefighter/paramedics will continue to support the EMS service and help the people of your county.