Tag Archives: ambulance

No complaining-offer solutions-Safety-PIO-SM-14-008

Posted on by
Reply
14-008: No complaining – offer solutions
Agency: Long Beach Fire Topic(s):         Public Perception and Solutions
Date: Fall 2014 Platform:        Twitter

Complaining or venting on social media is fairly common. However, as an official agency, public displays of affliction does not portray the best image. Long Beach Fire expressed some displeasure on Twitter when discussing the their pilot program.

IMG_4353

After reading this tweet, the public’s perception is that if 9-1-1 is called, no ambulances will respond. This is irresponsible and wrong. (Almost all emergency services have mutual aid agreements or memorandum of understandings in place.)

 

Positioning your agency as a fear mongerer or the Harbinger of Evil will only further distance yourself from people who would be willing to help your cause. Inform them of dangers, but more importantly, engage them publically on social.

 

If there is internal displeasure with the new staffing models, be proactive and offer transparent solutions in the tweet. Cite websites that provide industry information. Publically share statistical data that supports changes with current programs. These online tactics will help direct and educate the general public on how to be better informed on other program and possible other options yet unexplored.

 

Additionally you can rally your constituents behind better initiatives by engaging with them publically via social media. It demonstrates that your department’s community involvement is a key part of a better solution.

As an official account, Twitter’s 140-character limit is really no place to moan/groan.

A more effective tweet could have read:

LBFD resources are maxed out. #Firefighters cannot provide adequate #Paramedic service to our communities. Help us find a solution <insert link here>

By phrasing it this way:

  1. You identify that resources are…well…maxed out.
  2. You use hashtags (#Firefighters and #Paramedic) that will help increase visibility in your tweets.
  3. You stress the importance of providing dedicated service to your community.
  4. You provide a traceable/measureable link that informs and helps bring visibility to this critical situation.

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:

No complaining-offer solutions-Safety-PIO-SM-14-008

Visit to London and their Air #Ambulance @LDNairamb #Helicopter

Posted on by
Reply

Just reminiscing about my visit to the London’s Air Ambulance with an old Flight Nurse I used to work with.

DSC_9331

Love London. Great town!

Maybe this type of lettering/identification marking will help onscene delineate between Public Works Road Crews vs Emergency Medicine Physicians.

DSC_9358

Special thanks to the flight crews from London’s Air Ambulance.

DSC_9340

#MyWinterVacation

@rusnivek

 

Technical jargon and giving actionable information Safety-PIO-SM-14-006

Posted on by
Reply
14-006: Technical jargon and giving actionable information
Agency: Chicago Fire Department Topic(s): Industry codes / Actionable info
Date: Fall 2014 Platform: Twitter

Industry speak or technical jargon is part of what we do every day. But using technical terms on a social media platform will be confusing to those who are NOT in the fire service. That’s what the Chicago Fire Department did yesterday at their big 3-alarm fire when they tweeted technical jargon.

imageaimage

The use of technical jargon is rampant in emergency services but when speaking to the media or the general public, we need to remember that everyone did not grow up with a VOX alarm or SCU tones. In this case, a “311” or 3-11 alarm means that there are 11 engines, 5 Trucks, 2 Tower Ladders, 6 Battalion Chiefs, 1 Rescue Squad, 2 Ambulances, 2 Paramedic Chiefs, Deputy District Chief, Deputy Fire Commissioner, and the 1st Deputy Fire Commissioner are onscene. There is no way to include all that information in a tweet, but using more simple terms will help your audience understand the scale of your ongoing incident.

Before you post images, make sure your pictures are rotated correctly. I know accuracy is sometimes overlooked in lieu of speed, but it takes less than 5 seconds to orientate/rotate a picture (In this case, it was going to be a long operation). And note, by just rotating a picture does not equate that you are “doctoring up” photos. But a correctly posted photo will help media repost and format your information quicker to the masses.

During an emergency situation, your constituents need the information pushes to be actionable and specific to your audience. Not only inform them of the danger, but tell them what they can do about it.

A more effective tweet could have read:

Chicago Fire: Large 3-alarm fire at Harrison St x Fifth Ave. Traffic delays-avoid the area. (insert two pictures)

By phrasing it this way:

  1. You cite the authority having jurisdiction and established incident command presence.
  2. You generally described the size/category of the ongoing incident and critical information to media.
  3. You identify the exact location of the incident.
  4. You describe the delays in the area and give actionable information to your constituents.
  5. You still have lots of room to push properly orientated pictures with your informational tweet.

 

Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.

@rusnivek

***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:

TechnicalJargonAndGivingActionableInformation-Safety-PIO-SM-14-006

Structure vs Ambo – as usual, structure won #EMS

Posted on by
Reply

City & County of Honolulu: Ambulance accident w/ patient on 07-12-14.

Here’s the initial picture from the incident.

BsXt7DZCYAE0Qjv

Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Few things to review:

1. Good reminder to check your “Maximum height is ****” plate on your rig.
2. Law enforcement officials should really know the area, including height clearances.

3. Even if Police are leading you out, Fire/EMS should always be aware of your surroundings.

4. Social media is fast and information pertaining to your ongoing situations will always be faster than a PIO.

5. I can already see it now: “Dear Chief, I don’t know what happened…”

6. Crews should have their seatbelts on at all times while the vehicle is moving.

 

BsXwF6zCcAAc-Ia

Court of FAKE808SPORTS

Thoughts and prayers to the initial victim of the first emergency call.

I hope the leadership in Honolulu figure out the issues at hand. Emergency Service Professionals need some rest.

@rusnivek

 

Its #EMSWeek2014 – We need your help in roadway safety #Paramedic #EMT #Firefighter

Posted on by
Reply

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Stressing safety to everyone is an important part of our job.

We are seeing more car crashes due to distracted driving. Put down your phone and pay attention to the road. As emergency responders, I would hate to meet you for the first time like this…

P1210014

Worse yet, we don’t want to get hit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-RNn8CBklf4

 

Distracted driving can injure and kill. Remember, don’t text and drive.

Please, share this message with others and stress the importance of roadway safety.

And again, thank all your first responders for their dedicated service.

b34c63bf37814e9db7437c55e3da6be61

@rusnivek

By ground or by air, EMS does it all #EMSWeek2014

Posted on by
Reply

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Did you know EMS uses many different vehicles/apparatus?

IMG01652-20100702-2001

By ground or by air, Emergency Medical Services Professionals care for the sick and injured in so many different ways.

Thank all your first responders for their dedicated service.

b34c63bf37814e9db7437c55e3da6be61

@rusnivek

DYK – many Firefighters are also Paramedics too? #EMSWeek2014

Posted on by
Reply

It’s #EMSWeek2014 – Did you know many Firefighters are also Paramedics? Thank your first responders for their dedicated service.

BoHABKZCMAA0k-k

Thank your first responders for their dedicated service.

b34c63bf37814e9db7437c55e3da6be61

@rusnivek

 

Thank all of your EMS Professionals this week #EMSWeek 2014 #EMS #EMSWeek2014

Posted on by
Reply

Celebrate Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Week on May 18th – 24th 2014. Numerous communities across the nation, as well as several national events are planned around this year’s theme “EMS: Dedicated for Life.”

EMS-Week-Header

Thank all of your Emergency Medical Services Professionals this week. During any crisis or disaster or everyday emergency, these men and women bring emergency care to anyone in need.

Just in 2014 alone, we’ve had numerous school shootings, tornados hit several southern states, a landslide in Washington, wildfires in California, and flooding in Florida. EMS professionals work tirelessly day-in/day-out to assist and support others who are sick or injured. At every call, EMS treats and transports people in their most critical times of need 24-hour a day – dedication, professionalism and commitment.

Each year EMS Week honors the contributions of EMS Professionals throughout the country and stresses the need and importance of strong public support for all our EMS Providers.

b34c63bf37814e9db7437c55e3da6be61

Happy National Emergency Medical Services Week!

 @rusnivek

##

An open door response #whoops

Posted on by
Reply

The rig is sounding awfully loud tonight…

IMG_1584

…those apparatus mechanics really can’t get anything right!

IMG_1587

Typical – blame everyone else first.

So, it’s probably a good time to check your doors BEFORE responding to any calls.

EMS Flight crews do it. Maybe a 360 walk around is a good idea.

*FD names removed to protect the innocent*

@rusnivek