Engine Company EMS and Diligence

Know your Equipment 

By: FF/P Robert Balkun, FF/P Tom Corrone, and Lt. Frank Ricci City of New Haven Fire Department

Failure to be aware of your service’s medical capabilities and equipment can lead to a reduced quality of care in respect to cardiac arrest care in pediatric patients.

In departments that provide both basic and advanced life support services, personnel need to remain aware of the differences in equipment when delivering electrical defibrillation to pediatric patients.

Most AED manufacturers now make both pads for ALS and BLS. These BLS pediatric AED cables can be easily confused with pediatric therapy electrodes for ALS care. To the left are AED pediatric cables manufactured by Physiocontrol.

AED pediatric electrodes have a built in resistor in the cables, reducing the amount of joules provided from an adult setting (typically 200J) to an dosage appropriate for a pediatric patient; cables for ALS monitors like the Lifepak 15’s do not have this built-in resistor.

Defibrillation electrical settings are weight-based for pediatric patients in reference to advanced care, allowing ALS providers to change defibrillation settings via their monitor to the correct amount therefore not requiring this resistor in the cables.

On the packages to these therapy cables, it does state these ALS cables should not be utilized on AED’s, but if providers are not aware of the differences, this can be easily missed.

Refer to your services EMS director and/or local protocols for recommendations and how this may affect care in your service area.

Principal Over Politics

Principal over Politics

By Frank Ricci (episode 208 Politics & Tactics Fire Engineering Radio)

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2012/02/14/episode-208-politics-tactics - .T0pj3xXKCk4.email

The bravery needed most in the new era of austerity politics is the courage to stand up for what is right. Bobby Halton has demonstrated to all of us that principal and personal sacrifice must trump what is politically expedient. This resolve is what makes us Americans.

This month we had the honor to sit down with Connecticut State Chairman of the Republican Party Jerry Labriola. Mr. Labriola is a leader who projects a consistent set of values and is a friend to the fire service. His team is committed to efficient government and conservative values that have made this country great.

On March 5^th 1770 the Boston Massacre occurred when quartered British troops fired on a mob of unarmed colonist killing five. The British troops were held and charged with murder. Finding an attorney to take up the defense of the troops was a trying endeavor. Any lawyer who stepped up knew they would be viewed as a loyalist and a trader to the cause of freedom.

One patriot stood up knowing his reputation and ability to earn a living could suffer. His wife was shunned in the market and his devotion to freedom was questioned. This attorney was a man of principle. He represented the troops despite the risks to career and family. Remember this was a time when it was common for the mob to tar and feather those who aided the crown.

His argument was not based off rhetoric, it was based on the truth that an unruly mob with clubs surrounded and instigated the out numbered troops. The attorney stated, “Facts are stubborn things; and whatever may be our wishes, our inclinations, or the dictates of our passions, they cannot alter the state of facts and evidence.” The result was just, seven soldiers were acquitted and two were charged with manslaughter avoiding the death penalty.

Firefighters have this same courage to stand out front. We will strive to do what is right even when there is a political cost. Our democracy only works when we participate in it. Our membership is made up of Libertarians, Democrats, Republicans and the disenchanted. More than anything else firefighters as a constituency are issue advocates for our service. Simply put, issues that affect our service touch the community and we will back those who back us!

When talking to Jerry I was blown away to learn that our state lobbyist did not have an established relationship with him. Relationships are key to political survival and when you reach out before issues arise you will find common ground on many of our values and principles. The fact is most of our members are conservatives and despite ones politics the fire services actions transcend partisan politics.

We talked about how we could all do a better job at reaching out and educating our political leaders. We accomplish more when we work with management and our elected leaders. However make no mistake about it we should never allow politicians or management to place our members in harms way or break their promises. Our service must hold them accountable.

Republicans do not view the fire service as the same as other labor. Even in anti Labor states like Wisconsin, Governor Walker cut firefighters and cops out of his anti collective bargaining law. When Ohio Republicans took on collective bargaining they learned the hard way that the public understands that the fire service is different. Almost every citizen has had a loved one touched by our service.

Be it a heart attack, motor vehicle accident, medical emergency, rescue or fire our members get there first with only one goal, to help. No other service can compare to the work of our members. Ohio’s initiative was shot down. Charles Krauthammer from FOX News and the Washington Post commented that it was a “Hugh tactical error to include firefighters.”

Connecticut State Chairman of the Republican Party Jerry Labriola made it clear that firefighters, cops and the military are different and should be treated as such. Under Jerry’s leadership I see state relationships improving helping firefighters and Republicans. Our members need to see that the party tent is big enough for us all. This does not mean we will always agree, however open dialog breeds respect and understanding.

While Democrats say they are the party of labor. A closer look will make you question this line of thinking. Firefighters have been on the front line against attacks on individual liberty by this administration. Liberals continue to promote social engineering in our profession and society with a blatant disregard of merit. We have witnessed English becoming a second language in the inner cities leading to the exploitation of hard working families. Failed trade policies and over regulations have severed as a catalyst resulting in loss of tax base and manufacturing jobs.

Mr. Labriola pointed to the struggling economy and failed policies under President Obama as the source of pressure on our pensions and way of life as Americans. When the economy and markets improve the effect on city budgets is directly impacted. Our role is to get involved. We cannot sit on the sidelines and hope for the best. We must stand with our values and principles the same way the attorney for the soldiers did. He new that if he sat it out and allowed an injustice to go forward it would be a greater tragedy.

This lawyer became the second President of the United States John Adams. He wrote in his diary about his decision to defend the soldiers “procured me Anxiety, and Obloquy enough. It was, however, one of the most gallant, generous, manly, and disinterested Actions of my whole Life, and one of the best Pieces of Service I ever rendered my Country. Judgment of Death against those Soldiers would have been as foul a Stain upon this Country as the Execution of the Quakers or Witches, anciently. As the Evidence was, the Verdict of the Jury was exactly right."

Next Time on Politics and Tactics: Initial Radio Reports and SCBA confidence training. Call in and be apart of the show.

Link to Last Show:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/fireengineeringtalkradio/2012/02/14/episode-208-politics-tactics - .T0pj3xXKCk4.email

Hating up Close

Politics and Tactics by Frank Ricci

February 13th 2012 show

Hating up Close,

It has been said that it is hard to hate up close. Many times we often avoid situations that make us feel uncomfortable to our own detriment. I learned this lesson the hard way once I got promoted. One night I was detailed to another fire station. Not being familiar with the crew, especially the driver made me feel uneasy. This shift was not eating dinner together so I checked out my equipment and went into my office. On our first alarm the driver was no help! I had an alone feeling as I fumbled through the map book like a fool to get the address and locate the nearest hydrant.

In the front, communication is so important. While it is the drivers primary responsibility to get the crew to the alarm safely and the officers primary responsibility to get you back alive and uninjured. The initial communication is critical to both ends. It is like trying to set a table after dinner is served. Looking at the clock with dread that night could not end soon enough for me.

Without knowing it at the time I made the mistake of not reaching out to the shift. Familiarity breaks down barriers and makes the team stronger. I am a firm believer that eating together is key to our success as a unit. If the shift is not eating take a few moments to talk to each person on the shift. Chances are that if you have a little apprehension, the shift is probably experiencing the same thing.

Two weeks later I was running for office and visited with each shift in the city. It was time to enter that same house and shift. The exchange went great. Just by sitting down and talking I realized that my apprehension was misplaced.

The next month I got the call to fill in at the same station. I was welcome with open arms. When the first alarm struck I pulled my self up and as I started for the map book I heard a phrase I am used to "Lou, I am all set the hydrant is at the corner just past the building if you want to reverse?" I smiled, verified the address in the book and we went to work. This was the same driver that I had before with a different attitude. The lesson is clear as a leader it is your job to set the example and reach out. That fire house and the one I am assigned to could not be more different. You must realize as a covering officer when dealing with different internal cultures your not going to change the culture overnight. However your attitude will effect the operations of the entire crew take the time to get to know your crew even if it is for one night. Be sure to call into our show on Feb 13th.