The Crossover Podcast Episode 8

Another installment of the blabbling on that is the World's only crosspolinated podcast is back from the holiday break (we decide when those are, Sparky) and discuss scene safety versus a scene being secure and use the shooting in Tucson as a backdrop.

We also answer a listener question that was phoned in at 313-451-HMMC, which was our all requests oldies hot line, but is now just a drunk dial number for public safety folks to vent (when off duty of course).

So have a listen and let us know what you think about Medics carrying handcuff keys.

Episode 8 - It took you long enough

Comments

RF said…
From what I understand of the Tuscon situation there may have been a delay in declaring an MCI although the initial dispatch was upgraded from a simple medical call. I was wondering if you were going to discuss when to declare an MCI (even if staged off scene) and if LE should have a role in either declaring an MCI or providing additional information to dispatch that can be furnished to EMS and allow them to make the call. Seems like more than a dozen folks shot will qualify as an MCI in any system. Is everybody in your area on the same page?
Anonymous said…
As far as the EMS carrying handcuff keys issue, I agree with you 100% Justin. We should not be transporting handcuffed patients w/ out PD on board. I am struggling with that at my agency because the police departments we work with are very reluctant to ride along, and our company's policy states that we cannot refuse to transport a handcuffed pt. I try and tell the officers that if they are not willing to ride along, then put the pt in our soft restraints, but sometimes they are not willing to go along with that :( I do not think carrying a handcuff key would be a solution. If a patient is violent or enough of a risk to warrant being handcuffed, pd should be in the ambulance.
Jensen Peter said…
Having PD with you in the ambulance is one thing. I've seen it happen several times that some officers seem to have no handcuff keys with them (unbelievable I know!). Or not the correct type (three types of handcuffs in use in my area being used by three PD-departments. Real fun!
After experiencing a few of these incidents I've obtained all three types of handcuff keys and they are on my ambulance keyring at all times.