View Full Version : SB County Fire paid off for me!
I know alot of you guys hate county fire, but yesterday they paid off huge for me. My father was having a MI right before my eyes and all I could do was call 911, in hopes that they got here fast enough to get to him. Who showed up first? Engine 313, my father was in SVT, they wound up shocking him within 4 minutes of my phone call to 911. AMR showed up about 1 minute later and they were BLS.
My father is recovering in the hospital and is out of ICU now. I can tell you that I don't agree with AMR running a BLS rig, when Engine 313 could have easily been on a fire, TC, another MA or what have you. Who knows what the results would have been.
BTW its really odd being on the other side of the coin. I felt absolutely worthless standing there watching them treat my father.
First of all, let me say that I am sorry to hear about your Father. I am glad that everything is okay.
On another note, OUCH! To use the word "hate" county fire? C'mon!
From reading all of the blown-up posts about the take over of victorville fire, I think a lot of guys just did not agree with the process. Not that they hate SBcoFD. They are a good fire department with solid guys.
I think it is awesome that your family benefited from the takeover and addition of medics.
Any former Victorville guys wanna give a shout out for county and let us know how much you enjoy your new department?
I have only heard good things.
firemedic301
08-21-08, 17:25
I know alot of you guys hate county fire, but yesterday they paid off huge for me. My father was having a MI right before my eyes and all I could do was call 911, in hopes that they got here fast enough to get to him. Who showed up first? Engine 313, my father was in SVT, they wound up shocking him within 4 minutes of my phone call to 911. AMR showed up about 1 minute later and they were BLS.
My father is recovering in the hospital and is out of ICU now. I can tell you that I don't agree with AMR running a BLS rig, when Engine 313 could have easily been on a fire, TC, another MA or what have you. Who knows what the results would have been.
BTW its really odd being on the other side of the coin. I felt absolutely worthless standing there watching them treat my father.
I'm stoked everything worked out for your Dad!!! I am glad VV City is covered ALS, it will pay off for the tax payers (well if SBCoFD doesn't increase their contract by 1-2 million $ a year), but AMR could have very well been on a long distance transfer and all the Units in the Dez on bed delay's at the local ER's. So it is nice to know that even if ME313 was out their are 6-7 Medic Engines close to take care of business.
Was he PULSELESS or why did they shock him within 4 minutes, O2, IV, 6mg Adenosine, 12mg Adenosine not an option??? Just wondering, I HATE cardioverting pts (ya it is aggressive but, can be like running into a completely envolved structure with an UNCHARGED hoseline and than calling for water - AGGRESSIVE yes, maybe not the best thing though)
Nuke,
I too am glad to see the medic engines working out for the department formally known as Victorville.......... But I had the exact same qustions and had this conversation with Ash702. 4 min on scene then shock? Did they do everything else in 4 min before they shocked him? (I.V. meds, second round of meds?) If so they are some fast moving mo-fos.
Just wondering.
Also since the AMR unit on scene was BLS, then the SBCo medic off engine 313 rode in right? Taking the entire engine company out of service? Way to go AMR.
Do the PCF's move up and cover 313's first due when this happens? I'm just curious.
MOST IMPORTANT....... Glad you Pops is okay FYRGLFR.
sansoofireman
08-21-08, 20:04
I found the 4-minute cardioversion odd as well. Aren't we supposed to do a valsalva manuever first? We then have the option of cardioversion or adenosine based on the severity...
So Fyrglfr, glad your pops is okay. 20 years ago it may have been a different story, so let's all thank god for the miracles of modern medicine... administered by those of us who check "Some College" when filling out applications!
Nuke,
I too am glad to see the medic engines working out for the department formally known as Victorville.......... But I had the exact same qustions and had this conversation with Ash702. 4 min on scene then shock? Did they do everything else in 4 min before they shocked him? (I.V. meds, second round of meds?) If so they are some fast moving mo-fos.
Just wondering.
Also since the AMR unit on scene was BLS, then the SBCo medic off engine 313 rode in right? Taking the entire engine company out of service? Way to go AMR.
Do the PCF's move up and cover 313's first due when this happens? I'm just curious.
MOST IMPORTANT....... Glad you Pops is okay FYRGLFR.
The PCF program hasn't transissioned from VV to County, and i believe they won't be utilized for back filling a station.
desertmedic
08-21-08, 23:19
I think what B.. I mean glfr is saying is 4 minutes from time of 911 activation to cardioversion. So, lets give it a 3.5 minute response time. Through the door and within 30 seconds... ZAP. Correct me if I'm wrong glfr.
Was it maybe VTach w/ pulses vs. SVT? That would definately warrant the quick cardioversion
Was it maybe VTach w/ pulses vs. SVT? That would definately warrant the quick cardioversion
I'm just an EMT-I (intermediate) but I'm pretty sure that there is a CLEAR difference between SVT (narrow complex) vs. VTACH (not so narrow)?
Maybe I should go to medic school OR I'll just play my 10 year + card like Nuke.
Was it maybe VTach w/ pulses vs. SVT? That would definately warrant the quick cardioversion
Now I'm not the greatest medic in the world...but even I CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SVT AND V-TACH!!!! But whatever!! Good question though....
firemedic301
08-24-08, 10:08
Maybe I should go to medic school OR I'll just play my 10 year + card like Nuke.
My 10+ year patch has taught me to slow down to go faster... I will be the first to acknowledge WE weren't there, but if he is out of the Hosp. and doing well, then everything must have gone OK.
My 10+ year patch has taught me to slow down to go faster... I will be the first to acknowledge WE weren't there, but if he is out of the Hosp. and doing well, then everything must have gone OK.
All I have to say to that is..... "WORD"
steeltown71
08-25-08, 10:41
I just wanted to clear some things up in regards to the replys on this post. First off, I would like to say how glad I am to hear that Fyrglfr's father is alive and well. This scenario goes to show how truely valuable it is to have a paramedic performing ALS interventions within minutes of the start of an emergency. I want to point out that I didnt mention anything about Firefighter/Paramedics or AMR medics because we are all a team working together for one common goal wich we saw played out in this situation. I am very happy to see that the city of Victorville went with the right choice in placing medics on all their engines because if that desicion saves just one life (in this case being Fyrglfrs father) well then it was a success. However I also want to point out that I think the replys on this post are missing the whole point and are going in the wrong direction. This post was not intended for everyone to play monday morning quarterback or question why certain desicions were made. It was to show appreciation for an EMS crew that showed up in a timely manner, performed their skills to the best of their ability which ended with positive results. I dont feel to show our appriciation we should try and second guess the medics desicions and actions. Especially when none of us were actually there to witness it. However, to ease everyones minds and to set the record straight, I spoke with the crew from ME313 to ask exactly what happened. The crew did show up within four minutes and they found this gentelmen in V-Tach with pulses and obvious signs of poor perfusion (not SVT). That right there certainly warrants quick cardioversion, wich they did and you can now see the end results. So to Fyrglfr, I am happy all is well with you and your family and to the crew of ME 313, I want to say Job Well Done!
Respectfully,
Michael Westfall
SBCoFD
Was he PULSELESS or why did they shock him within 4 minutes, O2, IV, 6mg Adenosine, 12mg Adenosine not an option??? Just wondering, I HATE cardioverting pts (ya it is aggressive but, can be like running into a completely envolved structure with an UNCHARGED hoseline and than calling for water - AGGRESSIVE yes, maybe not the best thing though)
They pushed adenosine, with no effect. I pretty muched stayed out of the way, all though I wanted to get in there really bad. My wife was pretty shook up over all of it, so I was trying to comfort her.
Nuke,
I too am glad to see the medic engines working out for the department formally known as Victorville.......... But I had the exact same qustions and had this conversation with Ash702. 4 min on scene then shock? Did they do everything else in 4 min before they shocked him? (I.V. meds, second round of meds?) If so they are some fast moving mo-fos.
Just wondering.
Also since the AMR unit on scene was BLS, then the SBCo medic off engine 313 rode in right? Taking the entire engine company out of service? Way to go AMR.
Do the PCF's move up and cover 313's first due when this happens? I'm just curious.
MOST IMPORTANT....... Glad you Pops is okay FYRGLFR.
Sorry I wasnt that clear in my original post, I made it the day everything went down. When they showed up On Scene they got a line in pretty quick, they put my father on the Monitor and the medic stated that he was in SVT, with no radial pulse ( I can confirm the lack of radial pulse I checked myself prior to thier arrival) I heard another say my fathers pulse was 260...everything was happening really fast Im trying to remember it all. I can tell you this, he looked like absolute SH!T, didnt look like he was doing good at all.
I did have a laugh with my dad later that night. I asked him what it felt like when they shocked him. My fathers very good natured and started to laugh and said " FELT LIKE A G@D D@MN HORSE KICKED ME IN THE CHEST". We had a little chuckle over it since he was feeling better.
Also since the AMR unit on scene was BLS, then the SBCo medic off engine 313 rode in right? Taking the entire engine company out of service? Way to go AMR.
.
MOST IMPORTANT....... Glad you Pops is okay FYRGLFR.
Yes the Medic road to the hospital with AMR, I followed. While in transit to the hospital there was a TC at the corner of Cottonwood and Bearvalley rd. Engine 313 pulled over there and handle that.
I just wanted to clear some things up in regards to the replys on this post. First off, I would like to say how glad I am to hear that Fyrglfr's father is alive and well. This scenario goes to show how truely valuable it is to have a paramedic performing ALS interventions within minutes of the start of an emergency. I want to point out that I didnt mention anything about Firefighter/Paramedics or AMR medics because we are all a team working together for one common goal wich we saw played out in this situation. I am very happy to see that the city of Victorville went with the right choice in placing medics on all their engines because if that desicion saves just one life (in this case being Fyrglfrs father) well then it was a success. However I also want to point out that I think the replys on this post are missing the whole point and are going in the wrong direction. This post was not intended for everyone to play monday morning quarterback or question why certain desicions were made. It was to show appreciation for an EMS crew that showed up in a timely manner, performed their skills to the best of their ability which ended with positive results. I dont feel to show our appriciation we should try and second guess the medics desicions and actions. Especially when none of us were actually there to witness it. However, to ease everyones minds and to set the record straight, I spoke with the crew from ME313 to ask exactly what happened. The crew did show up within four minutes and they found this gentelmen in V-Tach with pulses and obvious signs of poor perfusion (not SVT). That right there certainly warrants quick cardioversion, wich they did and you can now see the end results. So to Fyrglfr, I am happy all is well with you and your family and to the crew of ME 313, I want to say Job Well Done!
Respectfully,
Michael Westfall
SBCoFD
Very well said. That is the point I am trying to make. You can tell those guys that my father and I, will be by to drop them a bunch of Ice Cream in a couple days. Do you know what shift was working?
So Mike,
I think I got the point of the original post. If you read mine again you'll see that. And yes I did get off on a tangent as I am doing again, firemen tend to do that. There were a few questions I had about the original post, that just happened to be the same questions as a few other members. Maybe I could've shot FYRGLFR a private message and asked him directly but I didn't. I used the this forum and you answered it, thank you for that.
As for Monday morning quarterbacking, we do a lot of that in the fire service, just like you Monday morning quarterbacked our responses to this post.
Like I said before, most important is that FYRGLFR's POPS is okay. Must have been scary sh!t to see that. I myself have been there. I held my POPS hand as he took his last breath but in his case no para medicine would've helped.
Kudos to both crews on scene and yes it was way over due for Victorville to become ALS. I'll have more on that latter.
That is all,:)
Bill Caswell
High Desert raised
Transplanted to SoNev
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue
steeltown71
08-25-08, 14:29
Very well said. That is the point I am trying to make. You can tell those guys that my father and I, will be by to drop them a bunch of Ice Cream in a couple days. Do you know what shift was working?
Yeah it was 313 C shift. They should be starting their rotation tomorrow.
steeltown71
08-25-08, 14:34
So Mike,
I think I got the point of the original post. If you read mine again you'll see that. And yes I did get off on a tangent as I am doing again, firemen tend to do that. There were a few questions I had about the original post, that just happened to be the same questions as a few other members. Maybe I could've shot FYRGLFR a private message and asked him directly but I didn't. I used the this forum and you answered it, thank you for that.
As for Monday morning quarterbacking, we do a lot of that in the fire service, just like you Monday morning quarterbacked our responses to this post.
Like I said before, most important is that FYRGLFR's POPS is okay. Must have been scary sh!t to see that. I myself have been there. I held my POPS hand as he took his last breath but in his case no para medicine would've helped.
Kudos to both crews on scene and yes it was way over due for Victorville to become ALS. I'll have more on that latter.
That is all,:)
Bill Caswell
High Desert raised
Transplanted to SoNev
Las Vegas Fire & Rescue
I just want to say that in no way did i intend to direct my quote to any one person nor am I claiming there was any wrong doing by anyone. I was just trying to get the facts out there and ensure that credit was given where credit is due. I apologize if there is any hard feelings over it.
Mike
Steeltown71/ Mike,
No hard feelings here at all (That's why I put the smiley face). And thanks for the facts. Without the quick response time and rapid ALS intervention (ME313 crew), plus "teamwork", this could've been an entirely different post.
FYRGLFR,
When you go to 3's, if you happen to remember. Could you please tell Captain Porter and Eng. Piedlow that Billy Caswell says hello. I know it might be an emotional visit for you but if you get a chance.....
thanks.
And again, Glad your FATHER is okay. Oh, the horse reference was kinda funny. I wonder how many joules that would be? :)
Steeltown71/ Mike,
No hard feelings here at all (That's why I put the smiley face). And thanks for the facts. Without the quick response time and rapid ALS intervention (ME313 crew), plus "teamwork", this could've been an entirely different post.
FYRGLFR,
When you go to 3's, if you happen to remember. Could you please tell Captain Porter and Eng. Piedlow that Billy Caswell says hello. I know it might be an emotional visit for you but if you get a chance.....
thanks.
And again, Glad your FATHER is okay. Oh, the horse reference was kinda funny. I wonder how many joules that would be? :)
Thanks Billy, Ill be sure to tell them you said hello.
desertmedic
08-26-08, 23:55
Glfr... Just to lighten the mood up a bit... Tell the misses that baking those oh so dee-lish cookies for me is like chicken soup for her soul.
Im glad your dad made out buddy. We need to introduce our fathers to one another.
GirlMedic03
08-30-08, 09:43
It is always best to realize that if you are not there, don't criticize other people's performance.
Sounds like San Bernardino County boys did a fine job. This is a great example of how important it is to have Paramedics on fire engines.
Great job to SB County Fire and congrats to the citizens of Victorville for their newly acquired paramedic services.
[QUOTE=GirlMedic03;1413]"It is always best to realize that if you are not there, don't criticize other people's performance."[QUOTE=GirlMedic03;1413]"
I don't think anybody was criticizing anybodies performance. But if that's what you got out of it.
However I did criticize the "ambulance drivers", I mean AMR for sending a BLS rig to an ALS call. Why does private ambulance have BLS trucks anyway? Would you please educate me on that GirlMedic03.
Thank you.
Glad to hear your father is ok. You're right, it's odd being a bystander and not the person treating the patient (your father).
Also, good for you giving kudos to the crew....
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