Spunk and Boston Fire Department

[EarlyAED]

Spunk, I've been following the "RealBFDJake" thread since the day it posted. Today I read your post about the history of Boston EMS and found it fascinating. My big yellow hat is off to you and all of Boston EMS for putting up with such incredible hostile circumstances. BFD boasts of being the "best fire department in the world". They may have amazing fire-fighting abilities but it also sounds like they're a bunch of thugs. BFD firefighters who don't participate in this kind of behavior towards EMS workers should be outraged and embarrassed. Keep saving lives, Spunk, and your rewards will be tremendous. --Tracy

[EMT-P]

Tracy I agree with you. It seems that the BFD and the EMS is in one big political upset. I do not live in Boston nor do I ever want to. From the sounds of things it appears that the patients are probably not getting 100% of the care they deserve, and that is a shame. I hope that people like "realbfdjake" can try to get along with the EMS providers in their city. It sounds like Spunk new what he/she was talking about. I feel very sorry for the EMS that are forced to base out of the fire stations. Also, the part where Spunk spoke about having to block their half of the station with a sheet, really got to me. The BFD wouldn't even let them use their restroom. I can't believe the BFD would treat the EMS that way. I live in Denton, TX. Thats about 30 miles north of Dallas/Ft.Worth. When we talk about EMS in general, it is well understood that we mean "ANYONE & EVERYONE" that is involved in emergency care is part of the EMS system. This includes but not limited to, Fire Fighters, EMT, Paramedic, First Responders, Careflite, Police, and Yes even Dispatchers. "WE" are all a team. I feel that is what makes a wonderful EMS system. The feeling of team work. Of course there are some politics that are in our cities fire houses, but that NEVER interferes with patient care. I am a proud Paramedic. I am very proud to work in a EMS that is like team.

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Life, Death, I am the difference.

[This message has been edited by EMT-P (edited May 11, 2000).]

[Trauma_Dog]

They are just mad someone broke their G.I Joe doll.

[BURNSEMS]

MAN O LIVE,, Can you imagine Boston F.D. Getting EMS,, How would you Like That Dude to Pick you up in SVT or V-FIB,,, with attitudes like his rampant in Boston Fire,, Its waaaay better off with real Proffessionals who act like Care givers, GO BOSTON EMS

[Paramark14]

Keep up the good work under stressful circumstances. I'm glad your out of the FD stations. It just staggers me that the BFD treat you that way, we get along so well with our FF's, a lot of us are friends in and out of the station. That letter Jake wrote just ****ed me off and thats normally hard to do. Be safe and keep up the good work for the citizens of Boston, they're lucky to have ya.

Mark
EMTP
Indiana

[This message has been edited by Paramark14 (edited May 12, 2000).]

[EMS_Rookie]

I still say he might be disgruntled because he doesn't have a cool blue lid that has Firefighter/EMT stickers. http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/biggrin.gif

Gee.. I don't know when to quit do I? http://www.firehouse.com/interactive/boards/redface.gif

[spunk639]

First thankyou for the support, however despite what "Jake" posts here and some of the bad experiences with BFD, when it comes to firefighting they are second to none. BFD does some pretty amazing things at fires not just in the past when the city was burning but even now. I have had good and bad experiences with BFD, mostly it has been ok I wish they would just lose the idea that because they are the FD they can take over or try to take over EMS because it is their right. That is the sickening part it is shear arrogance to assume that because your agency fights fires you can take over another job because fires are down, that is plain out arrogance. Would the Fire Dept like it if the Water Dept said since we provide water to the hydrants we will take over the Fire Dept. Part of the problem lies in politics the Fire union weilds a lot of power because of their size and that people are always happy to see them. However people aren't seeing them that much they are seeing EMS more, oops people are starting to appreciate us as EMS that is a political threat .

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REST IN PEACE
NEW YORK CITY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE

1869 - 1996

[Boothby]

As I'm sure many of you, who have read my posts, know spunk and I have disagreed on the issue of fire based ems. I personally believe in it, but not because I worship at the altar of the fire department, but for financial and organizational reasons. After reading what that BFD moron has posted I can truly understand why spunk feels the way he does. I wouldn't want to be affiliated with that either. I just wish I had the opportunity to show spunk a fire department that takes their ems seriously, because they are out there and they do work really well for the citizens they serve. Good Luck spunk.

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Larry Boothby
Firefighter/Paramedic
Truck 3 A-shift
Local 1784
Memphis.

[Catch]

It trully appauls me that there's still ignorance in the fire service such as jakes. I commend spunk and the rest of Boston EMS and feel sorry for the FFs of BFD that have to put up with the ignorance of their comrads. I'm also glad I don't live in Boston, I can't imagine being treated by a FF that knows nothing about patient care and thinks he can tell the EMS personnel how to do it. The world of fire and EMS is changing drastically and we are all in for a ride. I just pray the ignorance of a few doesn't ruin it for the people we are all hired to protect.
My hat is off to Boston EMS for putting up with this. I just hope someday those few FFs find out whose job and license is on the line when it comes to that patient and the care of them. I'm not sure about Mass., but I know several states that say EMS has the final say in the field, even over that of a doctor. Anyway, good luck to all Boston EMS, and hopefully BFD will pull their heads out before it's too late.

Mike Redshaw
Fire Chief/EMT-B

[bfd1071]

people.do not let this one boob, "Realbfdjake" give anyone a bad image of us. We are not all like this guy. Infact, how do we even know he is on the Fire dept? I have my own doubts, such as in the past people had made up false screen names. It is also funny how only the bad stories make it on line. Spunk can say what he wants, we have alot of old timers from health and hospitals on our job,AND BOY DO THEY TELL US STORIES!! BEMS brings on alot of there problems with BFD themslves. BFD has had NO INTREST in doing the ambulance since the early 80's and even then we told the city no. It's time that the people like spunk and others to give it up. I dont want your job, I've done it already and i have moved on. It's your people who in your drill school tell your newbies to dislike the FD not ours. People....do not listen to this questionable screen name.....realbfdjake. He does not represent the FD in my eye's. Spunk.....keep up the good work, you guys are good at what you do, but opening your mouth to put the FD down gets old quick.

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** The opionions are mine and mine alone, they are not that of my dept or the local**

[This message has been edited by bfd1071 (edited June 18, 2000).]

[E229Lt]

I must agree. This guy Jake is NOT with the BFD. He is a buff that found this site and is stirring the pot.
The problem is, he receives a ton of posts in response. Perhaps a little self control on the part of all here will take some of the fun out of it for him. Then he can go back to lighting garbage cans on fire so he can see the big red trucks come put it out.

[JMP17]

EMS- Fire/EMS who cares who does the job, I realy agree with thes guys This "realBfDjake" is standing in the shadows while we (meaning the real F.D., since I am not with BFD) do the job. But still lets remember what got F.D.s into the EMS field in the first place Decreased call volume and a need to justify budgets and need for bodies. Believe me I don't mind its what got me into this buiss. And just a word, all for profit EMS services are not bad> I happen to be an EMT with such a service and we and the F.D. get along great and perform a great service for the city and surrounding communities.
JMP17
Stay safe & take care of each other!
GOD hold our fallen HEROs