Posted on October 7 at 1:46 p.m.

That was awful. Sheriff Scott couldn't even get his name right. It's:

Barack Hussein Nobama

Come on Sheriff!!!

On Sheriff Scott's use of Obama's middle name causing national stir

Posted on October 4 at 9:37 a.m.

OK, I am going to state a couple things I have already stated before, but those against the fire departments seem to read over that.

FIRE MEDICS MAKE THE PARAMEDIC PAY WHETHER THE MEDS ARE ON THE FIRE TRUCK OR NOT. TAXPAYERS, IF THAT INDIVIDUAL IS MAKING MORE MONEY, DON'T YOU THINK HE/SHE SHOULD HAVE THE RESPONSIBILITY THAT GOES ALONG WITH THE EXTRA PAY???? SO, ENUFENUF, THIS NOT ABOUT PAY OR MONEY.

ALSO, WHY DID DR. TOBER PUT THESE MEDS ON THE FIRE TRUCKS IN THE FIRST PLACE?? HE HAS SAID PREVIOUSLY THAT HE HAS A HARD ENOUGH TIME KEEPING UP WITH THE CCEMS MEDICS, LET ALONE FIRE MEDICS. WHY PUT THE MEDS ON THE TRUCK IF YOU WEREN'T GOING TO PROVIDE TRAINING, THEN BLAME THE FIRE DEPARTMENTS AND MAKE THEM LOOK LIKE THE BAD GUYS.

Having an EMS chief heading up a fire/ems or ems/fire department, whatever way makes you feel better because in the end it's the same, makes no difference to me. Just don't appoint one of the current chiefs at CCEMS. They are totally against consolidation and fire so the current issues would continue well into the future.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 4:29 p.m.

Enufenuf, I understand what you are saying, but don't you think training on things you don't do that often keeps up your skills? To me, training would keep skills up. And I am not just talking about computer training. Scenario training is excellent as you practice which drug to use and drawing it up to the right dose if that drug requires that.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 3:52 p.m.

Enufenuf, ya, the statement I made was backwards. Sorry for dyslexia. I meant to say that firefighters use their ALS skills as much as CCEMS paramedics do.

Anyhow, about the the pay thing. Fire department medics make the medic pay, whether the drugs are on the truck or not. If you, the taxpayer, is paying for a fire medic, don't you think he should have the extra responsibility that goes along with the pay? So that is not the issue. Fire department medics do care about what is best for the patient, and that is why they are so passionate about the current controversy.

To those that keep saying over and over that being a state medic doesn't give fire medics the qualifications to give these drugs, I will say that you are right in that sense. However, when the medical director (Dr. Tober) put these medications on, WHY DID HE NOT PROVIDE TRAINING FOR THEM? He is the one ultimately responsible as it is his license all prehospital caregivers work under. So don't you think he would be the one to make sure the training would be given. How many times do I have to state this before it gets through some of your thick heads?

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 1:25 p.m.

Enufenuf, CCEMS paramedics use their ALS skills just as much as firefighters do. If it is a serious call, a firefighter is right by the side of the CCEMS medic using the same skills. And, like others have said, BLS before ALS.

The county does not pay for the test. An individual has to go to school, pass each section of the course, then is reimbursed upon passing. They do not pay for failures. Makes sense, right?

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 1:19 p.m.

It's all public info about what everybody gets paid. I am not sure where to find it though. But when did salaries come in question?

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 1:13 p.m.

I believe lidocaine and sodium bicarb were also pulled.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 1:03 p.m.

Memphismedic, I believe the 8 drugs pulled were cardiac related. Some included were amiodarone, adenosine, atropine (not 100% sure),...I will try to remember the rest.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 1 p.m.

MarcoRobert, that is where the problem is. Dr. Tober will no longer 'Tober' cert the fire department medics.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference

Posted on October 3 at 12:37 p.m.

"Most of the fire/medics DO NOT get the experience needed for basic competent medic functions." - TiredoftheBS

And why is that? Dr. Tober refuses to train the fire department medics. He won't even 'Tober' cert them, let alone help with their continuing education hours (CEU's).

However, I, like you, have heard individuals state that they could care less if they use their paramedic/ALS skills, they just want the pay. It disappoints me just as much as anybody else, but I can assure you and everybody else, that this is not the thought of the majority of individuals who carry a paramedic license. Paramedicine takes a great deal of dedication just to receive a license to practice, and an even greater devotion to it due to changes in procedures from year to year. Pre-hospital emergency medicine is continually updated and changed to improve patient care.

On Firefighters protest Collier medical director outside EMS conference