Thursday, August 10, 2006
Saturday, August 05, 2006
Administration Idiots (from Lexie)
I found out that administration has been checking up on the mypsace pages. I know that Barbara Ireland has a fake page to check up on people too, I haven't found out what her name is yet, im still looking . I just wanted to let everyone know because I think its shitty and totally not professional. Spanks, you're the bomb and we miss you here in this pit of ems hell!!!!!
Saturday, July 01, 2006
Congrats to EMS-SWAT!
New Orleans EMS SWAT medics graduated today! Sincere congratulations to all of them for all their hard work throughout a hellacious three weeks of training and education. They will be better people for it and New Orleans will have an even more outstanding emergency response team thanks to the efforts of Nick Culotta, Josh Hill, Russ Latimer, Keith Thomas and Keely Williams.
Strong work guys!
Strong work guys!
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
City Business article "Code Red"
Click this link to read a recent article in City Business about the current EMS situation in NOLA. WDSU covered this story its noon news today, interviewing someone from the magazine about this article. I was glad to see this topic covered on the local news, but it would have been nice if the station had directly involved one of our people instead of secondhand from a features writer. But that will be what our P.R. SOD person will be for, I guess.
Anyway, it's a relatively short and interesting article despite involving Acadian (the "backup" provider for Orleans Parish, according to this piece). Look for quotes from Chris Cruthirds about OT availability due to staffing shortages.
In the "WTF?!" department, my favorite quote was this one:
The agreement New Orleans EMS has with the Morial Convention Center requires it to find new accommodations by Friday. But another extension is likely. Reis said several possible locations have been scouted and EMS hopes to have a permanent home within a month.
White House, we hardly knew ye??
Anyway, it's a relatively short and interesting article despite involving Acadian (the "backup" provider for Orleans Parish, according to this piece). Look for quotes from Chris Cruthirds about OT availability due to staffing shortages.
In the "WTF?!" department, my favorite quote was this one:
The agreement New Orleans EMS has with the Morial Convention Center requires it to find new accommodations by Friday. But another extension is likely. Reis said several possible locations have been scouted and EMS hopes to have a permanent home within a month.
White House, we hardly knew ye??
Monday, June 26, 2006
Press photos from Nola.com
20-I with Engine 25 at Carrollton/Walmsley, 2/11/2006
34-S at Fourth/Annunciation, 6/25/06All photos copyright The Times Picayune
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
More from the news outlets
US News.com on NOLA EMS shortage and wait times
EMS Responder.com on the new NOEMS
Emily Bruce's Homily on Katrina (I don't think this was posted before but it is moving)
EMS Responder.com on the new NOEMS
Emily Bruce's Homily on Katrina (I don't think this was posted before but it is moving)
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Friday, May 19, 2006
Paramedics Save Lives (Despite ER Staffs' Efforts)
People say we practice "cowboy EMS."
I say "Damn straight!"
So Frezel is bringing a guy who got all beat to hell to Elmwood. Halfway there he codes, and Elmwood diverts the unit to E.J. (By the way, does the trauma center accept any trauma patients? WTF?!) So Frezel arrives at E.J. with the guy in asystole. (Hey Dave, what's up with no IV's on the guy?) So we start coding him; I'm charting everything and calling out reminders like 'time for another Epi.' After 4 Epi's and 3 atropines the guy goes into V-tach w/ a pulse, then after shocking him into pulseless V-tach, then into V-fib. After Amiodarone and several more shocks, the guy is still in V-fib. Nothing's working. Dr. Creel is standing there wondering what else to do. So I hollered out, "let's give him some mag sulfate." The doc looked at me quizzically and said "Well I guess if you want to, but I don't think it'll do any good." So I told the nurse pushing the drugs to give a couple grams of magnesium sulfate.
Right after she did, and circulating it for a few seconds, the v-fib converted into a beautiful sinus rhythm with pulse and a decent blood pressure! The doc's jaw hit the floor. He said "I haven't used magnesium in years; what made you think of that?"
"Doc, I've used it a million times, and I know the shit works. Always," I replied.
"I'll remember that."
Same night: Susan brings a lady with a decreased LOC to Tulane. The patient wasn't really protecting her airway so they decide to RSI her. After pushing the succinylcholine, the ICU resident tried three times to intubate the woman, three times he only pulled back a bloody ET tube. Then Ehlenberger tried. Again, no dice (big surprise).
So Mike Condatore, one of the RN's there, said "Hey, why don't you let Greg [Gavel] try. He was a paramedic with the city for years."
The docs step aside and let Greg give it a shot. One quick attempt by Greg, and the woman was tubed!
"Uh, nice technique," said Dr E.
"How'd you learn to do that?" the ICU doc asked.
Greg answered, "Experience, Doc; lots of practice!"
2 lives snatched by paramedics from the jowls of a doctory death! Tell us more!
I say "Damn straight!"
So Frezel is bringing a guy who got all beat to hell to Elmwood. Halfway there he codes, and Elmwood diverts the unit to E.J. (By the way, does the trauma center accept any trauma patients? WTF?!) So Frezel arrives at E.J. with the guy in asystole. (Hey Dave, what's up with no IV's on the guy?) So we start coding him; I'm charting everything and calling out reminders like 'time for another Epi.' After 4 Epi's and 3 atropines the guy goes into V-tach w/ a pulse, then after shocking him into pulseless V-tach, then into V-fib. After Amiodarone and several more shocks, the guy is still in V-fib. Nothing's working. Dr. Creel is standing there wondering what else to do. So I hollered out, "let's give him some mag sulfate." The doc looked at me quizzically and said "Well I guess if you want to, but I don't think it'll do any good." So I told the nurse pushing the drugs to give a couple grams of magnesium sulfate.
Right after she did, and circulating it for a few seconds, the v-fib converted into a beautiful sinus rhythm with pulse and a decent blood pressure! The doc's jaw hit the floor. He said "I haven't used magnesium in years; what made you think of that?"
"Doc, I've used it a million times, and I know the shit works. Always," I replied.
"I'll remember that."
Same night: Susan brings a lady with a decreased LOC to Tulane. The patient wasn't really protecting her airway so they decide to RSI her. After pushing the succinylcholine, the ICU resident tried three times to intubate the woman, three times he only pulled back a bloody ET tube. Then Ehlenberger tried. Again, no dice (big surprise).
So Mike Condatore, one of the RN's there, said "Hey, why don't you let Greg [Gavel] try. He was a paramedic with the city for years."
The docs step aside and let Greg give it a shot. One quick attempt by Greg, and the woman was tubed!
"Uh, nice technique," said Dr E.
"How'd you learn to do that?" the ICU doc asked.
Greg answered, "Experience, Doc; lots of practice!"
2 lives snatched by paramedics from the jowls of a doctory death! Tell us more!
Tuesday, May 16, 2006
Times Picayune 5/16/06
Do you have to stick me? I don't likes no needles!
Darryl: What I think happened is the perp shot him from the back of a red car, using a 9mm, probably a Taurus. The bullet entered at the mastoid process, taking out his medulla oblongata, then did a little dance and traveled to his left hand along the cephalic vein, backed up and visited his duodenum and nicked the aorta on the way, then exited above his asscrack. Anyway, this muthafucka's dead.
Wednesday, April 26, 2006
Today in USA TODAY
Why is Donny pulling the stretcher with Melinda? Because Ashley was 10-42!!!Donny, you better quit cockblockin' my 15 minutes, yerd.
You can read the article (mostly about Ochsner bitching about uninsured ER pt's) here.
Friday, April 21, 2006
Monday, March 20, 2006
Tuesday, February 21, 2006
NOPD has a blog too
Check it out, NOPD has their own version of the NOEMS Blog: Signal26.com
They are much bitchier than we are these days.
They are much bitchier than we are these days.
Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Saturday, November 19, 2005
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!
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!
Thursday, November 10, 2005
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
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
Wednesday, September 14, 2005
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
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
Friday, August 12, 2005
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!
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!
Thursday, July 28, 2005
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!
Friday, July 01, 2005
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.
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