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Last Answer on June 29, 2022

EMT question: Are backboards and c-collars ever used on medical patients (NOT trauma) such a trouble breathing? I saw a video where they did this. Thanks. (EMT Q&A is not active)

Asked by 433 over 11 years ago

It depends on the patients condition. If we have a patient that is unstable and has the possiblity of going into cardiac arrest they are placed on a backboard. All unconscious patients should be placed on a backboard. CPR has to be performed on a hard surface thus the backboard. A stretcher is cushioned and does not allow for good compressions that have to be at least 2 inches in depth.

1072 Votes

You're an EMT also right? When you have a patient, how do you decide when to put an EKG monitor on someone?

Asked by Bob over 11 years ago

Yes, that is how I got started. We have protocals established by the State and by the doctor who is responsible for the EMS system that we operate under. With these protocals it breaks down to such things as treatments and procedures we do for Diabetics etc. Any complaint of chest pain, respiratory issues always dictate the obtaining of a EKG strip on the patients. We also go a step further by performing a 12 led ekg which looks at multiple sides of the heart.

1071 Votes

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I know you listed the typical ranks of an FD, but typically (or in your experience) what was the responsibility at each rank (i.e. captain, battalion chief, LT, Corporal, etc.)?

Asked by Albert over 11 years ago

Typicall the duties are broken down below

Fire Commissioner.Fire Chief can be the same but larger dept the Commissioner is the Political appointee and the fire chief runs the dept.

Division Chiefs are generally in charge of 5 to 7 Battallion Cheifs and is responsible for all issues involved at his level.

Battallion Chiefs are usually in charge of anywhere from 2 to 7 Stations

Captains are in Charge of a station and or apparatus.

Lieutenants are in charge of a singe rig that is usually in the same house with another piece and the Capt. is in charge of the station.

Engineers are responsible for the operation of the rigs but with all of these positions if the upper position is vacant or on vacation they fill in as an 'acting' position. such as Acting Capt. this is only a temporary situation.

1070 Votes

(Continued)

Is this illegal? In the chaos of an emergency, a smoky room, or both, people might mistake this for a sign that is saying there is no exit behind the door. (You can't see the actual exit door, there's another door first). Thank you.

Asked by Yosef over 11 years ago

Any time an exist sign is lefting leaving any confusion it will be considered out of code or basically yes, illegal. If should be pointed out to the fire dept for the correction by the Fire Marshal. There shall always be a clear and understanding sign that has specifics of size of sign, color and size of the signs fonts to be within code regulations.

1063 Votes

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EMT Question: If you show up to a medical (non-trauma) emergency, how do you decide when to transport the patient?

Asked by 433 over 11 years ago

First off if they want us to take them to the hospital. A patient can not refuse transport if they are a minor and no parent or legal guardian is around, individual that is mentally challenged or for instance suffering from a stroke and can not inforrm us of person, time or place, and then also under the influence of alcohol and or drugs. Otherwise we don't always take everyone to the hospital. When to transport is usually done immediately for two reasons, number one is that they have a medical issue that needs to be addressed and the other is to free up the unit for another call. A lot of systems are no utilizing first response medical squads and are if the condition warrants treating the patient such as a diabetic needing "sweetened" up and does not need to be transported to the hospital.

1061 Votes

If while cooking a pot holder catches on fire and you put it out without the assistance of a fireman and it leaves a smaller scortch mark on your counter what type of fire would you classify it as ?

Asked by Krissy almost 10 years ago

From a fire report standing this is a bit complexing. The structure is not on fire, equipment is not on fire. The pot holder is not debris so it could be labeled as cooking material. The only listing that we could do is to list it as other and report it in the narrative of the fire report.

1059 Votes

I recently saw an episode of "Lie to Me" that was all about rookie hazing in fire departments. Is hazing prevalent, and if so, what kinds of hazing did have you seen in your department?

Asked by smoke 'em over 11 years ago

Yes hazing does occur, but unfortunately some firefighters don't know where to draw the line. What I have done in the past was when we had a new guy that was being trainined we would have them go look for such things as a 'Sky Hook" which doesn't exist or we would have them try to push start a rotary saw, under the pretense that what would he do if the cord snapped. But yes it is still occuring but not to any extreme.

1047 Votes

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Firefighter

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EMT question: Are backboards and c-collars ever used on medical patients (NOT trauma) such a trouble breathing? I saw a video where they did this. Thanks. (EMT Q&A is not active)

You're an EMT also right? When you have a patient, how do you decide when to put an EKG monitor on someone?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I know you listed the typical ranks of an FD, but typically (or in your experience) what was the responsibility at each rank (i.e. captain, battalion chief, LT, Corporal, etc.)?

(Continued)

Is this illegal? In the chaos of an emergency, a smoky room, or both, people might mistake this for a sign that is saying there is no exit behind the door. (You can't see the actual exit door, there's another door first). Thank you.

Also on Jobstr...

EMT Question: If you show up to a medical (non-trauma) emergency, how do you decide when to transport the patient?

If while cooking a pot holder catches on fire and you put it out without the assistance of a fireman and it leaves a smaller scortch mark on your counter what type of fire would you classify it as ?

I recently saw an episode of "Lie to Me" that was all about rookie hazing in fire departments. Is hazing prevalent, and if so, what kinds of hazing did have you seen in your department?

Firefighter

Ask me anything!

What do YOU do?

EMT question: Are backboards and c-collars ever used on medical patients (NOT trauma) such a trouble breathing? I saw a video where they did this. Thanks. (EMT Q&A is not active)

You're an EMT also right? When you have a patient, how do you decide when to put an EKG monitor on someone?

So you wanna be a Firefighter?

I know you listed the typical ranks of an FD, but typically (or in your experience) what was the responsibility at each rank (i.e. captain, battalion chief, LT, Corporal, etc.)?

(Continued)Is this illegal? In the chaos of an emergency, a smoky room, or both, people might mistake this for a sign that is saying there is no exit behind the door. (You can't see the actual exit door, there's another door first). Thank you.

Also on Jobstr...

EMT Question: If you show up to a medical (non-trauma) emergency, how do you decide when to transport the patient?

If while cooking a pot holder catches on fire and you put it out without the assistance of a fireman and it leaves a smaller scortch mark on your counter what type of fire would you classify it as ?

I recently saw an episode of "Lie to Me" that was all about rookie hazing in fire departments. Is hazing prevalent, and if so, what kinds of hazing did have you seen in your department?

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(Continued)

Is this illegal? In the chaos of an emergency, a smoky room, or both, people might mistake this for a sign that is saying there is no exit behind the door. (You can't see the actual exit door, there's another door first). Thank you.