Peachtree City Fire Dept

I too have gotten away from making comments on ideas or lack of ideas posted in blog format. First off, let me state that I am not mac614, as I have gotten dozens of phone calls from departmental friends wanting to know about " venom " as you call it. I will always sign my name to what I write and there should be no problem identifying who wrote this!! I will just take a few minutes of your time to address some of your thoughts. I was a full-time member of the PCFD for over 8 years and have been a member for over 12 years. I can remember when " your " Chief was a FF/Paramedic on shift and had some very interesting things to say about the fire chief at that time!! God rest Gerald Reeds soul!! A few of us still think of you often! I have spent the majority of my career working 48s and after personal circumstances and 11 years of doing so decided to give it a rest. I am still employed with the PCFD as a part-time member, and have some different points of view than you share. Although I do not know you personally, we have talked in passing and I would caution you in saying that " incidents" where 48ers hurting rather than helping is a very broad statement. There are numerous studies being conducted as I write this about the physical and mental effects of working 48 hours straight. These include but are not limited too sleep deprivation, abnormal home lives, and the increased risk of overall health problems associated with the " job." I would also caution you about not " driving " the trucks if you have had a rough night at your other full time job running calls into the wee hours of the morning. I know from experience that at any given moment with the PCFD that you could be required to operate a vehicle in excess of 70,000 pounds on the roadways in PTC whether you are prepared or not! We could take it a step further and although the operation of the vehicles is important, the real concern should be with your mental ability to make decisions as a Paramedic in an EMS based fire department. I know from experience that working 48s can cause mental exhaustion, especially if you work for a busy department elsewhere! Its your livelihood on the line as a paramedic, so your " mental aptitude" should be at 100 percent for the citizens of PTC!! Training is the foundation of any department, and although it will only take you so far, its the best predictor of your actions when the tones drop! As far as the " 100s of calls vs. 2 calls, I can say that "quanity vs. quality " is an unfair statement in an Ems system. As you know I work for one of the biggest departments in the southeast, and with Grady Ems as our 911 provider I can say that its not whether you have been to 100s of calls, its whether or not you are able to recognize life-threatning vs. the routine! The paramedics within the PCFD are exceptional professionals!! I am forever in debt to one of them! He was an excellent teacher, mentor, and I'm proud to say a life-long friend of mine! Are you saying that the PCFD medics that don't work 48s are sub-standard? I would put Sgt. Royce Miller's skills and knowledge base against the most seasoned medic you could muster,when the " rubber meets the road" he has forgotten more than most of us will ever know!!!!! Finally, I wish to commend you on searching out for this " coward " as you call them, whether or not they are affiliated with the PCFD or not. I believe that you have been a full-time member for about 6 months,so I hope that I have not upset you if I take your " opinion " with a grain of salt! Oh yeah, as far as " venom " being spit I believe that you have to have a forked tongue for that!! I only know one person that fits that mold!! We all have to respect the " rank " of Fire Chief, but not the person that holds it.

Skippy

Submitted by cmc865 on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 6:57am.

One more thing for you, What about the many departments that have changed and are changing to 48 on and 96 off. NO venom. I still love ya. I know a Chief here in South Fulton that likes you and would give you a job.

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48 and 96

Submitted by Bonkers on Fri, 08/29/2008 - 9:05am.

Am I to understand that some work two days straight, all day and all night; then are totally off four straight days, all day and all night?

Is that a week's pay (with 8 hours OT) for two days there?

Are they allowed to sleep if not on a call? Are they always awakened for every call? You get where I am going!

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