NOEMS in the News

Katrina kinda made us famous again. Here is a handy list of links documenting our illustrious activities in the public eye.

Thomas Jordan the Bootless Hero
USA TODAY in the Trenches with NOEMS
Keeley and Keller in Vegas (photo of Frezel and Jeanne)
JEMS: Valerie from Delaware Rode it Out with Us (FIXED)
JEMS: What the Media Didn't Report About EMS in New Orleans
Katrina Lewis Gets Some Christmas Gifts**
Christmas at the White House (Katrina Lewis and Kenny Bouvier)**

**NEW!

There are lots of links out there to blogs and bulletin board posts pertaining to us and Katrina. All you have to do is Google "New Orleans EMS" and you'll get a bunch of returns. If you come across a link to another article out there, please edit this entry and add it!

Oh, and did you know that Sept. 29, 2005 was declared "New Orleans EMS Day" in Kansas City, MO? It's a fact!

Need your stories and photos!

Hi all! Fitz here. Just wanted to let you know I've FINALLY started writing my book! It's gonna be called "Ramp Rants: Stories From the Streets of New Orleans EMS" (Thanks for the idea for the title, Nick!).
Of course, I'm going to include our whole Katrina story. There will also be anecdotes from our everyday calls. I'd like to have as much input as possible from you all. If you have a good EMS story, one that stcks out your mind or the one your friends like to hear about or one that affected you, please send it to me and I'll try to incorporate it in the book. Photos will be much appreciated too. Please include a description of pictures you send.
You can send stories and pictures to me at sfitzmorris@gmail.com. You can also just say hi. Looking forward to hearing from you!
-Fitz

Holy Crap!

Well! How 'bout this? Not much of an EMS service we got here. But everyone has done an outstanding job with the disaster! I'm proud to have served with such a fantastic group of medics. NOBODY could have managed as well as we did! I guess functioning for so long with so few resources made the old saying possible - we've done so much with so little for so long. we could do anything with nothing at all! We proved it of NOHD-EMS!
I know most of you there don't even have access to the internet, but if you check the blog, let us know how you are, where you are and what your plans are. We all did an outstanding job and have been given our opportunity to truly shine. Even though there's not much call volume these days, EMS is still playing a crucial role in the recovery and rescue efforts. Nobody knows that city like we do, and the National Guard and NYPD and all the volunteers from all over the country now depend on HD people to guide them.
If and when the city gets rebuilt and restarted, it'll be an interesting exercise to see how things change. I doubt we'll be a heavily populated city anytime soon. And there will be lots of new houses! By the way, if the National Guard or whoever decides they need to napalm certain neighborhoods because of contamination, I'm sure you HD people will do a great job of directing them exactly which areas of the city need napalming (hint,hint;wink,wink). You know what I mean!
Be careful out there! Y'all are some of the most beautiful people I know and I love you all!
-Fitz

Moving Right Along...

Well, after attending the "SOD" meeting the other day, I have to say I think that NOHD is making good progress in the right direction. We've gotten new equipment (whoda thunk we'd EVER get laryngoscopes?) and we have dedicated sprint units & alternates. Plus, they're pushing hard for improving our education and training! That's gonna make a big difference. The only catch is going to be us.
What do I mean? Traditionally, EMT's have been resistant to change. Just listen to the whining that went on when the new administration took over, or the bitching that took over the blog (yes, I know, I did it too). Likewise, the bottleneck in making New Orleans EMS a world-class service is going to be the medics who are content with maintaining the status quo. That has to change, which means we have to change. We need to be willing, even eager, to seek out new opportunities and creative ways of thinking. Juliette is throwing the protocols out the window! Which means that now we have to think on our feet, to actually be good EMT's, rather than good protocol followers.
And what about the new opportunities in EMS? We will now be able to attend training like tactical EMS and use it! High angle techniques, water rescue, programs from the Dept of Homeland Security, like WMD, urban search and rescue are just some of the things we can get involved with! Isn't that why we signed on with NOHD in the first place? Talk about experience!
Anyway, I'm excited about the new changes. I met with all the new sprint personnel and I'd trust any of them with my life if I was hurt or sick. They are the best. Just like I hope we all will be!

Blog Password!

In the interest of goodwill, I have decided to compromise with "administration" and rather than deleting the blog, I have set a password, ostensibly to keep the media hounds off the backs of whoever. (Because there's SO MUCH information on the blog that could be a threat to national security!) Anyway, the password is "blog". Just type it in at the prompt and it will take you to the blog. Feel free to share this information with whoever you think will be interested. Except of course the CIA, FBI, KGB, Interpol, the Times Picayune and all those other high-level, top secret agencies just itching to find out when HD's next barbecue is or whatever. Good luck! Y'all be safe out there!

One of the family Needs Our Help

As we all know Jay Metzger Had a heart attack earlier in the week. He has had some complications since and as of Friday remains in Tulane Hospital. He need help due to a recent illness he has no more sick or annual leave. This will add a burden to him and his family during an already stressful time. If anyone can help by donating either sick or annual time to him, I know that he would appreciated this very much. Your thoughts and prayers are very much so appreciated as well. Thank you very much for your time and thoughts.

Greetings From The Big Apple!

Well, I'm just back from New York City! And what a cool city it is! Easy to get around (you don't need a car) easy to have a good time in, easy to find fun stuff to do. And it's HUGE! I spent 5 days just in Manhattan and didn't scratch the surface!
EMS must be miserable, all those high-rise buildings with no elevators. And the hospitals I saw have no ramps; the ambulances just park on the street and off-load in the middle of traffic! Still, statistics say that NOHD, per ambulance, is twice as busy as NYC. They run 12 calls in 24 hours. HAH! That's a slow 12-hour shift for us!
I happened to find myself on 5th avenue and saw everyone lining up behind barricades on Sunday. Curious, I asked and found out it was the start of the gay pride parade. I hung around to see how NYC handled parades. The start of the parade was dominated by New York's contingent of gay police, fire and EMS workers. While the Police and Fire departments made a decent enough showing, New York's EMS gay contingent was woefully lacking! Maybe 6 or 8 EMT's were in the parade along with a rainbow-draped unit. Big woop. NOHD could beat that with A and B watch tied behind its back!
If you ever want to practice your foreign language skills, try a stint in New York! I must have heard at least 20 different languages on the streets. I caught myself a couple of times speaking Spanish to people who spoke no Spanish at all, just because it was so common there! And if you want, you can easily practice your French, Italian, Chinese, Russian, Portuguese, Polish and Japanse without even trying!
Well, missed y'all on this trip! Lemme know if any of you go to NYC anytime soon and maybe I'll join you!
Adios!
-Fitz-

Well..........I don't know, FUCK! I need to 10-42, but I cant't, and if I 10-42 for too long, I'll be 10-7. Then if I'm 10-7 for too long then I have to clarify why I'm 10-42 for so long, but maybe I shouldn't 10-42 here because I might not hear and they'll carry me 10-50?. Is it because its been so long sine I've peed, that I have to pee a lot? Or maybe I'm constipated, or maybe I have diarrhea and I have to sit for a while, and I just have to sit and shit, I shouldn't have had he chili on my 10-40. There now I think I'm 10-8 again.....Oh wait! Maybe not....It's time for me to get off, but here I am at grand route, 100 ft from Moss street with 3 other units, this is very productive. God forbid if there's 2 trucks waiting for the relief to come in. Maybe they're 10-42 or they were switched on the schedule and no one informed them. I'm in a six o'clock truck and maybe there's no relief coming in. I could be here all day. Fortunately I have the kind guidance of dear barbara with truck washing particulars to look forward to. I cannot wait to file my paperwork in numerical order, download the calls from the computer, wait for it to reboot, shut it down, restock my truck, seal my cabinets, and sanitize for "your protection." ......to be continued secondary to 10-19......Can I get a witness?

Hard on Tards

There have been a lot of strong comments under the post "Concrete Ideas." Togetherness says a lot about a service. Can we all try to pull together and try to establish that once more? No, 80% of our calls don't sound particularly interesting or fun (thousand year-old female c/o weakness). But trying to help each other out by jumping calls if you're closer or if you know a a crew is trying to get a 40, or voluntarily going to a scene where crews sound like they need help would build up our cohesiveness and make HD an even better place to work.
Think there are a lot of "tards" here? How about instead of whining about it, we use that energy to try and make them better EMT's. If you think someone can't hang, might it be because no one properly showed them?
To all the old people out there, remember when you were first here? What made you a better medic when you were green? Wasn't it the experienced people with a combination of accurate instruction as well as giving you a hard time for being the FNG? When was the last time we explained to a new person why we do something? Or show a "tard" how to write a report or start an IV or talk to med control? I know I learned most of my skills by doing it with good partners, not from P-class. Because of this, I knew ACLS algorithms, how to mix drips, draw up drugs, get non-emergents and decompress chests long before I ever went to paramedic class. Why? Because my partners showed a little initiative and caring about their work to help me out as a green FNG.
If we care so much about our reputation and the quality of medics at HD, doesn't it devolve upon us to take it upon ourselves to improve it? When we were new, the old-timers then made HD a great service. Now that many of us are the old timers, we must uphold the "tradition." If you want to "weed out the tards," YOU should take it upon yourself to make them better EMT's. After all, it'll be their job when we're gone. It's up to us to show them how.

Welome to Our Family

Would like to take the time to welcome the newest member of our family. Gianna Sophia Culotta, was born Monday evening. Mom and Dad are both doing well at this time. Little Gianna is resting in the PICU with some minor difficulties, but is improving steadily. Please keep Nick Stacy and Gianna in your thoughts and prayers, as I'm sure they would appreciate them. Congratulations.

New EMT-P

Well! Kevin Howard passed his paramedic National Registry! How about that?
Your thoughts?

Wierdest Jazz Fest Call

Okay, who's got the wierdest freak from Jazz Fest?
I was in the Grandstands and this guy about 22 years old comes up to the desk. He says he's got all kinds of back problems that cause numbness in his arms and legs, and it causes him to be unable to pee. The only way he can urinate is if he can immerse himself in the shower and is there a shower he can use?
I referred him to the ever-helpful security guard who regarded him quizzically for a while, then bemusedly. After that she sent him on his peeful way, all the while chuckling to herself.
Who's got a better wierd Jazz Fest experience?

Concrete Ideas

If anyone who counts is reading this, they probably get the idea that the natives are restless, and disgruntled. Well, they are, but there have been few concrete ideas about how to improve the situation. It's important for us to keep posting, since this is an excellent way to gauge the general state of gruntlement as well as a good CISD for everyone.
Many who post here are simply minions doing the bidding of the overlords. What we could use is a good set of specific ideas to make things better. But if you're reading this and you're in a position to make things happen, read on.
We need in house training and education programs. I understand that this was recently discussed. We can go outside for our training, but this is expensive and difficult. ACLS, PALS, BTLS, CPR and EMT refresher training needs to be available, as well as CE hours. Hurrah for reinstating monthly meetings in an effort to accomplish this goal! Let's make sure we make use of it and all you instructors of the various disciplines - make yourselves available for courses! In-house training programs for new EMT's and paramedics would be very proactive in attracting new employees. There are lots of people out there who'd be proud to have gone to the New Orleans "EMS Academy!"
We need a way to attract and retain existing employees. Of course everyone immediately expects a raise, but there are other ways to put money in pockets without hitting up the budget. Anyone remember the dinosaur days at Medic One when we used to get points for good behavior - coming in early, running more than your share of calls, getting compliments from patients? They translated that to gift certificates from Sears. That was cool. How about offering similar stuff, or discounts on movies, or cell phones or Best Buy or something?
We need a way to reduce liability and improve patient documentation. I'm sure most will agree, those Hammerheads suck! I'm sure it makes it easier for billing, after all, it was Lockheed's idea to bring in those blasted things. But there are other electronic systems that do a better job of documentation. And with better documentation, patients will recieve better continuity of care at the hospital, and out libility will be reduced because of unclear documentation. If we're worried about the budget, we can help obviate a multimillion dollar lawsuit be reducing liability.
We also don't need to rearrange things in dispatch related to creating item numbers. Charity calls do not need to be put into the computer and stay in the queue for days from the time they were scheduled. The system is not designed for non-emergency calls. In addition, Charity calls are billed completely differently from 911 calls. Creating computer items would only increase the workload for Yolanda and everyone else involved in billing. Entering all these calls in the computer only seems lie a ploy to artificially inflate our call volume. We already have plenty of calls; we don't need to create more!

Any other ideas? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller?

A sad passing

It is with a heavy heart I say this afternoon a great friend, father, Paramedic and a great man, has passed away. C.J. Orgeron has touch many of us and will be missed. Our thought and prayers go out to Dawne and Daniel as I'm sure they will need all of our support to ake it through this tragic time in thier lives. May you rest in peace C.J. till we all meet again to mustard around the Lords table.

Code 77 Shocker

I did hear some encouraging news! Friday I was riding around with Dr Johnson (6280) and he had attended a meeting of the Orleans Parish Medical Society that Juliette had organized. She had arranged for the CEO's of all the local hospitals to meet there. What was remarkable - it was the first time the hospital CEO's had ever met with each other! I guess in the world of corporate selfishness, it isn't cool to confer with one another.
Anyway, Juliette had a stack of paperwork that she distributed to each CEO detailing how many minutes their facilities had kept our units Code 77. One interesting fact was that the CEO's didn't even know that we had a situation like Code 77! I suppose the ED staffs never reported any of this information in an effort to make themselves look good.
But here's the kicker: Juliette's report detailed the Code 77's from January through March, and the total cumulative minutes of Code 77 in those 90 days was 30 days! All those 30, 60, 90 and so on minutes of Code 77 added up to an entire month that a unit was kept out of service by the hospitals!
The CEO's were stunned. They said they don't want to miss out on one patient coming in to their facility. They're busy scrimping and saving trying to minimize staff and maximize profits. But their effort to save money are misdirected. Imagine how much money is wasted on dumb advertisements ("Is it love, or a heart attack?") when they could be proactive in solving our problems and getting more of their own profits by building bigger facilities, staffing empty wards, and having in-house training programs for new R.N.'s, techs, lab workers, etc.
According to Dr. Johnson, there were some suggestions to bring in new technology to help solve some of this problem. How that works out remains to be seen, but you have to hand it to Juliette for bringing this to the shocked attention of the hospital mucky-mucks, opening the doors of their ivory towers and exposing them to the real world, our world.

Adios, amigo!

Today is Joejoe's last day! He's been something of an institution at HD since the dinosaur days. If you're like me, you likely learned plenty from him, pissed him off plenty, and got pissed off by him plenty! Nonetheless, EMS just won't be the same without him. We'll miss you, ma'am!
Best of luck in all your new endeavours! Wherever you go, you'll be an asset!
PS - C-watch is having a good-bye crawfish boil tonight (Friday). Not sure where it is, but it shouln't be too hard to find.

If It Ain't Broke...

Well, now I hear that "they" want do get rid of having districts. Admittedly, the city trucks work way more calls than do the 4th and 7th district trucks (usually). When you're in the 1st, 3rd, 5th or 6th, or in 2 or 12 (and now the Charity trucks) we all know that you should bring your lunch, cuz you'll likely be running your ass off.
Now they want to use the 4th and 7th district trucks all over the city. Has it been discussed that the reason we are able to run our asses off in the busy districts is because we get a little break usually by working the slower districts every couple of months?
I'm all about progress and change that is for the better, but having districts is one of the few things at NOHD that actually works! Don't mess with it! Wanna find something to mess with? How 'bout the lack of gloves? Or chemstrips?
P.S. Does it come as a shock to anyone that not having area assignments like "they" want to do is also the way they do it at Acadian?

New Poll - What a Wonderful World!

Ways To Make Everything Perfect Forever
What would make everything wonderful?	Scavenger hunt that ends with Michael Paxton in another state. Electric air fresheners for the uniks. Electric air fresheners for the patients. Vigors required to buy drinks at ETOD. Dancing wenches instead of 6232. Daiquiri machine at Moss Street. 911 dispatch outsourced to call center in Calcutta. Water cannons on the uniks. Sirens play Barry Manilow. Sequin gowns & high heels for uniforms.
	Current Results

Would it hurt

We have begun a new era at NOHD. We now are not required to go to work and do that " useless " check off check. We now have the Rescue personnel to do this for us. They all along with some of the back up rescue guy's busted their tails in cleaning up the units, and setting them up ( with the supplies we have). Though some have taken the time to stop and say thanks or do you need a hand, for the most part there has been alot of complaining from crews. In the realm of I had to do something to my unit because it wasn't done for me. Damn spoiled in a week,huh. We all need to work together so this works let's not forget this.

Uniform Poll! Cast Your Vote!

What Do You Think of the New Uniforms?
How Do You Like the New Uniforms We're Trying?	I like them! They're OK. Whatever. I hate them! Don't make me wear it!
	Current Results

The New & Improved NOHD

Well, as I was getting off work this morning the new BTOD stuff was going into effect. If you have't yet experienced it, it's... well... an experience. One truck got up on time. Which is actually really good for day watch, come to think of it!
Now I know that the first day of a new procedure is hardly the best time to judge its performance. But I can just foresee a thousand different kinds of monkey wrenches that could get thrown into the finely-tuned machinery that is NOHD.
Anyhow, I give this new BTOD stuff 2 or 3 days before everything collapses into chaotic whining and anarchy.
And y'all?

Better?

Well, it seeems that some changes are making progress. We have a 6249 on most shifts now, which is handy and fun. Some employees are "field testing" new uniforms, which are all blue, like task force, which is cool. Or maybe black, which is cool too. This week we're starting new times for the lineup, which may be good, or possibly a pain in the ass. We'll see. Anyway, it shoud prove to be interesting.
Let us know what you think.

To the Gallows

So now we have the supervisors doing this rotatey thing where they work on both day watches or both night watches. The underlying reason is supposedly to have consistency across the board.
Surprise, surprise! Guess what? That's the way the supervisors work at Acadian! Imagine that!
Your thoughts?

Good luck!

Well it's that time again! Time for new little students to break out of their cocoons and become paramedics! I know George is going to National Registry this week; who else is going? Good luck to all our EMT's taking Registry!
A word of advice: when y'all pass, don't try to be a good paramedic; strive to be an excellent paramedic. It will serve you well in future endeavors. We've always been better than every other EMS around. We NEED to uphold NOHD's reputation in the country. Current and future EMT's are the ones who will have to do that. For the ones that have gone before you, make us proud that we came from such a great service.
Or else we'll come back and kick your ass!

Code 4

I hate to sound like a whiny bitch, but will someone please explain to Barbara that regardless of the way NOPD uses the term "Code 4", we use it to mean the scene is safe to approach. I know it doesn't mean a scene is completely safe (what scene ever is?), but when dispatch tells us 'NOPD has a Code 4' it means that's it's ok to go in, right? NOPD can say "Code Giraffe" for all I care. NOHD Code 4 means it's under control, relatively safe, move in.
Also Babs seems to be under the impression that we have all of NOPD's dispatch channels on our radios. I haven't had PD on my radio for 9 years, other than the SPEC channels.
Arrgh!
Don't worry, I'm Code 4.
I hope.

Okay, folks, we're gonna try this one more time. Lets keep personal threats off this blog. You are welcome to post whatever you like, but the owner of this blog takes no responsibility of what is published by the readers. If you see something you don't like about you, welcome it as constructive criticism. If you agree wholeheartedly, add your vote and write it down here. Got a war story? We'd all like to hear it (but make it interesting)! All readers are welcome to write their thoughts. Cuss as much as you want. If your virgin eyes are too sensitive to read it, there's loads of other stuff on the internet to do. Deal.

Here goes...