Made a pit stop in Columbus today, and walked out to a header. Upon closer look…
I followed Truck-2 in.
Smelled different than a normal work.
All the foncy trucks attended. But sadly, it was only mulch. Basically large open burning.
Oh well.
But hey, at least the sun was out.
Spending my Sunday alongside @nbc4i , I’m @rusnivek –
Reporting live from the working mulch fire…
The varied schedule allowed me to catch up to one of Cleveland’s finest Paramedics – Jim Willson!
The man, the myth, the legend, Commander Jim Willson! In lieu of posting an embarrassingly old picture of Cmdr Willson, I figured this one is best. Plus he knows too many stories.
I remember first meeting Jim at the ER. Years later, I remember meeting him again during EMS week as a Cleveland EMS Commander. Shortly thereafter, I sat and co-chaired the UASI EMS Functional Committee…Jim was always there.
(Funny note: I remember spelling his name wrong for about a decade until I got it right. Jeez.)
Jim’s career at Cleveland spans decades including finishing his career with Cleveland Public Safety as the Emergency Operations Center Manager. Almost every time I was in the EOC, Jim was there. I can’t think of a more dedicated EMS professional who’s been there/done that.
So glad to catch up to my friend Jim Wilson…I mean Willson.
After a lukewarm week, what made me smile again? This.
Kaito and Whooba
Seeing my former flight team smiling on a great day in Ohio.
University MedEvac-2 (Medina)
Yes, I knew these two jokersters when they first started with the flight program.
Left to right: Kilo-Charlie (117KC) and Whiskey-Sierra (118WS) with Mike-Bravo (626MB) on the fins. If you know the meaning behind these tail numbers, you know what it means to me.
Yups, back in the original EC-135 and BK days.
Lead Pilot Campos, Base Supervisor Celebrezze, and Kaito
So glad to see they now are leading their respective teams as Lead Pilot and Base Supervisor. Ahhh, great memories. Outstanding flight crews. Transition approved!
Kaito….I mean @rusnivek
Doctor! Doctor! Give me the news!
It was outstanding to see one of my all-time favorite ER Docs today in the Emergency Department – ladies and gents, I give you the prestigious Dr. Larry Glaude!
Many of you know that in public safety, friendships are forged that last a lifetime…and Dr. Glaude is a great example. So many great memories and of course epic stories to tell!
My SA/TEMS Operator friends at the FBI.
So many great assets here to enhance our partnerships with the FBI.
Trust me, I have first-hand experience – I can tell you they are a GREAT crew to work with!
I was just talking about my first tiller ride…
Speaking of Tillers, here’s a great example of the communications between Driver and Tillerman to get through light traffic.
Me? My first Tiller ride? I was lucky. Reported working fire!
Thanks to the crews at Hyattsville Fire Truck-1, Engine-1, and Rescue-1.
Heed to all emergency vehicles – Pull right for lights! #firefighter #Paramedic #EMS #EMT #safety
So I guess this means this hydrant is out of service (OOS)?
Good grief.
@rusnviek
| 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.
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:
Time is valuable, so tweet good stuff.
***To download this as a single-page printable format, click this file:
Just reminiscing about my visit to the London’s Air Ambulance with an old Flight Nurse I used to work with.
Love London. Great town!
Maybe this type of lettering/identification marking will help onscene delineate between Public Works Road Crews vs Emergency Medicine Physicians.
Special thanks to the flight crews from London’s Air Ambulance.
#MyWinterVacation
Where is @rusnivek? 