Orange County California

[firephoto]

Thanks, still a little confused though.

 

You state BLS ambulance for transport with engine medic(s) on board, but JFong's comment appeared to say that the paramedics on the "medic vans" transport with the patients.  Plus, several of the ambulances pictured are marked as paramedic units.  Are there both ALS and BLS ambulances operating in addition to the medic engines?

 

What's the reason for 2 medics on the "Paramedic" engines, but only 1 on the "Assessment" engines?  Is there a difference in the equipment both carry or some sort of operational difference other than 2 vs 1 medic?

 

 

Not criticizing in any way, just a right coast guy curious about how you lefties do things.

Many fire agencies in California whom operate paramedic services  have transport capable unitsbut do not transport patients, they contract with ambulance companies for transport. Unless the patient is a firefighter, cop, city employee, etc, even the medic vans usually do not transport, private ambulance companies do and at least one medic rides in the ambulance. If a critical patient, both medics will go with the ambuilance and an engine firefighter or even captain will bring the medic van to the hospital. Ambulances are either private ambulance companies or city/county owned ambulances with contract EMT's.

 

County protocol in at least LA and Orange County call for a unit operating as a paramedic unit to be staffed by two paramedics, As stated in a previous comment, ORCO and other counties have standing ALS orders so paramedics do not have to make hospital contact on every single call. Thus the medic on an assessment engine can begin ALS treatment as a first response unit before the medic unit and BLS ambulance arrive. Assessment engines carry less and more basic ALS equip than full-fledged paramedic units.

 

Scott