The union representing Philadelphia firefighters and
paramedics is worried a change in staffing could cause problems.
The union objects to a city plan for replacing one of the
two paramedics on ambulance runs with an emergency medical technician. The
combination of one paramedic and one EMT isn't as effective, said paramedic Dan
Oakes, because EMTs are not trained to do everything a paramedic can do.
"You give oxygen, you can perform CPR -- but you can't give medications, you can't
intubate a patient, you can't do some of the more invasive techniques,
decompressing a chest for lung-type injuries," he said.
Fire Department Deputy Commissioner David Gallagher said such
pairings of paramedic and EMT happen routinely now. By making it permanent, he
said, it will expand the department's capacity by adding up to eight ambulances
at peak times.
"Every thing we are focusing on is an increase --
increase in ambulances, increase in paramedic distribution, increase in total
staffed units per day, seven days a week," Gallagher said.
The change will be gradual and monitored to make sure it's
progressing smoothly, he added.
Source: NewsWorks
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