What does your boss(es) say about this memo from the county commissioner? What is your dispatch center's policy on things? I would definitely follow your center's policy and fall back on your training and experience. It's funny how these "armchair quarterbacks" are always starting new policies etc and never getting any input from the people who actually do the job and have to work within the new guidelines. and I will echo the last post YOU GO GIRL!!!! If they give you grief, run run run to the media so the public can be informed of a dangerous policy that can compromise their level of emergency response. take care!! Paula

This may sound like I am a girl but YOU GO GIRL!!!!! Maybe this commissioner should learn what liability is and how he is opening your department to large amounts of Liability. You stick your ground and hopefully other will do the same. You could also think about leaking this memo to the press so it can get attention right now.

We got a memo from one of the county commissioners yesterday informing us to use one specific ambulance company, should another one fail (we have volunteer ambulance service in the rural areas, and he wants Myerstown to cover for Schaefferstown only!) My BIG problem with that, is the delay in patient care! We are supposed to go by closest due unit, why the heck would we send one that has to travel further hecnce delaying care.. these volunteer companies fail often, especially on weekends and overnights,already causing a delay, sometimes takes 10-15 minutes to get someone to go on a call and now he wants us to send a unit that is further out.. I don't think so.. I will continue to dispatch the way I have been for the past 3 years, he doesn't like it then he can fire me and see the big stink I raise... I am sure the media would be quite interested in this piece of information, as would the Medic Federation (they govern all EMS practices for the state) I am not the only one that feels this way, it is just riduculous.. of course he has personl ties to trhe one unit..

Sorry to hear you aren't getting the full time position you need, and that you missed out on the other job .. but hopefully you will find something soon. It is good that you have different options as to where you can work. Keep us posted on how the search is going

Mornin' - - yes.........thanks for asking. Found out just a couple days ago. I did indeed get the job. I went to the dept yesterday evening to sit in for a while. I was in awe. The computer system, of course, flipped me out, but if I can master that, I think I'll be ok. I couldn't believe in the short time I was listening in what all happened in our little city. It was amazing! There was a shooting on the north side of town in which they didn't expect the victum to survive - a missing child - a prostitute in the Walmart parking lot - a trucker on a highway that ran a woman off into the ditch after "jacking" with her for a few miles - and just before I left, there was an armed robbery at this guy's house. Being on the outside, people don't realize how much actually goes on in their city. I go in next Tuesday for orientation, then for my physical and lastly to talk with a psycologist. It's now a matter of time, I guess, as to when I start the training. Lauren invited me back to sit in anytime at the call center prior to actually starting the job. Everyone on the evening shift was nothing but nice. Hope the night crew is as friendly. Wish me luck on the computer system!! Vicki