SA Firefighter
General Discussion => SAAS => Topic started by: bajdas on May 30, 2008, 06:10:22 PM
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From: http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/story/0,22606,23782946-5006301,00.html
$26m to fund more ambulances and paramedics in South Australia
SOUTH Australia's ambulance service will get a $26.6 million funding boost in next week's State Budget for extra staff, vehicles and equipment.
Health Minister John Hill said the money would fund an extra 72 staff positions and 96,000 extra call-outs for paramedics over the next four years.
Global positioning devices will be installed in ambulances to make sure the closest vehicle to an incident is dispatched, Mr Hill said.
SA Ambulance Service responds to more than 230,000 calls for help a year.
The Budget will be handed down on June 5.
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But they dont say how long it will take to train the new staff....
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we don't train our staff - they have degrees and know it all already! :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:
as for the rest of the funding....there will be some massive changes as to how SAAS works...and it won't necessarily means an ambulance will be taking you to hospital either! I can't wait for the day I can tell a drunken PITA (pain in the A R S E) to go get a taxi to hospital for their stubbed toe at 2am while someone else's grandmother lies in her bed with Chest pain waiting....and know that I'll get backed by the dept for telling the peanut he's wasting our time...
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Health Minister John Hill said the money would fund an extra 72 staff positions and 96,000 extra call-outs for paramedics over the next four years.
Seems like this will end the shortfalls (cut crews) that have happened in the past...rather than go beyond the service level.
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Global positioning devices will be installed in ambulances to make sure the closest vehicle to an incident is dispatched, Mr Hill said.
Is this part of SACAD, (that was going to happen anyway), or a new system?
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nope - SAAS's plan to implement AVL (auto. Veh. Locator) is seperate from SACAD - but will have some integration with it eventually...apparently!
most other states have it - and it can be seen as a good thing because it means that the monkey screen clearers in Comms won't have to think about what they're doing because there will be a pretty picture in front of them in which they can play with ambulances and cases and have an idea of what's going on...as opposed to the current "system" which has huge variations depending on the operator......and no...they aren't that bright!!
the worst fear is that a system they use in the UK will be brought in....which picks up the case out of the CAD and automatically dispatches the closest car.....but of course - being computer and protocol driven can only deal with so much before it goes spastic and does stupid things like direct a crew into a river.....
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being computer and protocol driven can only deal with so much before it goes spastic and does stupid things like direct a crew into a river.....
Duh, everything does.
CT174 Cat99 Blue Screen of Death Road (Bill Gates Residence), Windowsville 69 G9 INTERNET DOWN :evil:
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CT174 Cat99 Blue Screen of Death Road (Bill Gates Residence), Windowsville 69 G9 INTERNET DOWN :evil:
Fail
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Oh dear...ill go catch the fail bus...www.failbus.com
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Any chance some of that money can go to fitting a decent siren to the new holden captiva ambo cars?
Had one come up behind me the other day and I couldn't hear it until it was very close. Had the same thing with a "normal" ambulance (the merc sprinter style) earlier in the day and could hear it coming miles ahead (in comparison).
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the wattage of the sirens on those cars (200 watts) has already been doubled as compared to those fitted to standard ambulances (100 watts)
you won't overcome the problem you have until you either
a) invent a siren which will still be heard at more than 80km/h without terminally deafening pedestrians
or
b) implement a policy which says vehicles will not travel at more than 80km/h.
can't win until technology wins. Hence the reason the light bars are so filtered bright - the more senses stimulated the better!! :evil:
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i dont think its something wrong with peoples hearing, its to do with there sound systems in there car.
A possible solution.
- Install Shortrange (100m) FM transmitters to ambulances.
- Make legislation that requires all new cars to have sound systems that constantly monitor that frequency at all times while the sound system is doing what the driver wants it to.
- Ambulances starts it siren, Transmits it signal over a FM frequency that turns off the sound system and locks it for 60 seconds.
And wont this be great for Fire appliances too...PA over FM ;)
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i dont think its something wrong with peoples hearing, its to do with there sound systems in there car.
A possible solution.
- Install Shortrange (100m) FM transmitters to ambulances.
- Make legislation that requires all new cars to have sound systems that constantly monitor that frequency at all times while the sound system is doing what the driver wants it to.
- Ambulances starts it siren, Transmits it signal over a FM frequency that turns off the sound system and locks it for 60 seconds.
And wont this be great for Fire appliances too...PA over FM ;)
There is already a product on the market that does this i believe....not sure on the details or why it hasnt been picked up....maybe someone else knows?
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Said product has its own thread on here somewhere.. Google will find it..
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i dont think its something wrong with peoples hearing, its to do with there sound systems in there car.
- Ambulances starts it siren, Transmits it signal over a FM frequency that turns off the sound system and locks it for 60 seconds.
And wont this be great for Fire appliances too...PA over FM ;)
and it works well with how many people who use IPODS with the earplugs in?? end of the day -there will always be clowns who won't get out of the way! two words to contribute a solution to the problem - AIR HORNS
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or Rumblers ;)...which are already on the Sprint cars lol
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the wattage of the sirens on those cars (200 watts) has already been doubled as compared to those fitted to standard ambulances (100 watts)
you won't overcome the problem you have until you either
a) invent a siren which will still be heard at more than 80km/h without terminally deafening pedestrians
or
b) implement a policy which says vehicles will not travel at more than 80km/h.
can't win until technology wins. Hence the reason the light bars are so filtered bright - the more senses stimulated the better!! :evil:
this was a 60 zone (salisbury hwy). My car radio was on (both occasions) but low volume. Like I said there is a big difference between the volume of the 2 types of ambo vehicles. People with their car radio up too loud to hear anything is a separate problem.
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or Rumblers ;)...which are already on the Sprint cars lol
This might sound dumb....but what is a Rumbler ?
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In basic terms...A siren is a speaker, while a Rumbler is a Subwoofer...
It's meant to be able to vibrate the car in front, noticeably to the driver.
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theoretically a subwoofer....but it's not encased in a box -so the vibration doesn't happen - no matter what marketing experts will tell you.
the best thing it does is ensure a variation in frequency across the whole spectrum - in the hope it will catch the drivers attention better.
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Said product has its own thread on here somewhere.. Google will find it..
Here it is boys :wink:
EMERGALERT is an emergency vehicle warning device that enhances existing siren technology to create a Clearer Road Ahead utilising the latest patent pending technology.
This was designed for emergency services striving to reduce their response time.
EMERGALERT is the most advanced solution to the problem that Emergency services have been experiencing for years. It will save time when seconds and are the difference between life and death!
EMERGALERT improves road safety and creates a clearer road ahead for emergency vehicles when every second counts!
It is the only technology to deliver a warning to all radio stations within selected bands at one time.
Its range of 300 metres to the front and sides of the emergency vehicle alerts general road users of the emergency vehicles presence earlier saving time and lives.
Increased soundproofing of today's vehicles makes it hard to hear a siren at all, let alone from 50 metres away. Vehicle manufacturers promote soundproofing of cars to gain sales.
Studies show that the effectiveness of sirens is severely limited to a maximum penetration of 8 to 12 metres at intersections. This is due to road noise, directional sirens, soundproofing and physical barriers.
Australian crash data and ABS statistics show emergency vehicles in Australia are involved in accidents at a rate of over 1 per day, as well as killing someone every 6 months.
The Australian Transport Safety Bureau stated that crashes involving emergency vehicles are frequent enough to warrant examination and that, on the face of it, the availability of a better alerting system could yield important safety gains.
The ATSB working on behalf of the Federal Government acknowledges the innovative design of the EMERGALERT system and its potential contribution to road safety.
More here http://www.abc.net.au/tv/newinventors/txt/s1230893.htm
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As RescueHazmat said before, the EMERGALERT has already been discussed in another topic. Add your comments there...
http://www.safirefighter.com/boards/index.php/topic,863.msg19148.html
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The clearing off the roads ahead has been a problem that has been addressed by many organisations over the years, why do we feel the need to try and reinvent the wheel every time? There are a lot of commercial devices available ,that have a proven track records, most just bolt right to your appliance ,with minimal modifications, though the one that I feel would do the job just right would take some degree of engineering to customise, but has a pedigree and track record second to none ,proven in some of the harshest conditions on earth over many years. The Browning .50 calibre would no doubt have a sound that would penetrate any road going obstacle, and if you were still oblivious to its sound, the pretty lights that the tracers rounds give off, as they tear your ride to peices would do the job. It would also have the secondary advantage of disseuding those pesky photographers that have been causing sooo much constenation recently,according to some posts. :-D or you could use a air/bullhorn as Bordy suggested. :roll:
Cheers Jaff
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a decent set of REAL air horns will clear any road user...
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Fit your rig with a Fed-Q.. - Cant go wrong!..
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i'm glad you lot aren't running SAAS - the extra $26 million would be gone just on fleet modifications....
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maybe they could spend some on driver training. :wink:
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maybe they could spend some on driver training. :wink:
What train all the other drivers on the road to get out the way? :-D
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Nah i though more along the lines of teaching the ambo drivers not to crash red lights at 30kmh.
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I'm glad you lot aren't running SAAS - the extra $26 million would be gone just on fleet modifications....
Well if they got built properly in the first place we wouldnt have to spend a cent :-P
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"Nah i though more along the lines of teaching the ambo drivers not to crash red lights at 30kmh."
??????????????????????????? :? :?
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So where do SAAS buy their fleet from is it like a fire truck shop....
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So where do SAAS buy their fleet from is it like a fire truck shop....
Fleets are bought from Mercedes and sent to Mader for fitout :wink:
http://www.mader.com.au/main.html
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there was other companies in Australia, but so far MADER is the only one that has managed to stay afloat.
as for comments about building them properly in the first place...perhaps that should be aimed at management not the roadies who have to work in them!
To their credit tho..the last generation of fleet was modified as a result of suggestions from roadstaff - this new lot however was not overly consulted upon - in fact, one particular component was designed by an ambo, but it wasn't until the fleet was on the road that the injuries started happening and the decision was made to rectify it! (INSERT EXTRA $$$$$$)
as for the budget...well...one could surmise that most of it will be spent buying all our volunteer stations a 2nd ambulance and doing some heavy recruiting so that all the GP Plus EMERGENCY CENTRES (ie: former hospitals) can transfer their patients to the major hospitals!!
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Maybe the emergency services need to change the way vehicles are purchased in the first place.
According to this forum nobody knows how to build a) ambulances b)fire trucks & c) rescue trucks.
Even though the above equipment is designed by professionals & built by qualified trades persons.
Why is this so?
Because the whole process is wrong!
You firstly need to work out what you want, then get all manufacturers to submit a prototype, then trial the units supplied under different conditions etc, ask the trial users for comments on each (then ignore those comments) & finally award a contract for a set number of vehicles. This is what another organisation does & it takes several years and cost a small fortune before the first one arrives, And then they update them over their service life ( check out the Merc fire appliance on the Varley website, I drove one in 89 couldn't believe they were still around!)
So thats how you build good vehicles, here endth the lesson :wink:
And I like the new hospital idea - we get an upgrade :-D
cheers
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Even though the above equipment is designed by professionals & built by qualified trades persons.
Why is this so?
Sadly the 'professionals' that design them have been behind a desk for so long that they have begun to lose touch with reality.
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Just ask any AMBO about the Mercedes....as their crews are recieving injuries from driving them :-P
Oh bring back the F series...
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Getting injured driving a vehicle? How? :?
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While they are at it why not fund more community first response teams as well :wink:
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Robert...you know far too much already......
either that or a lucky guess! :evil:
as for injuries driving mercs....ask anyone over 6'2 who's had back or shoulder problems! honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time? ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!
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...honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time? ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!
... Mercedes?
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Thats the problem with that style of vehicle - forward control types (Hiace, Sprinters etc). You will find a lot of the "Euro" designed trucks are similar, its the only way to set the steering up without increasing the length. As for people over 6' 2" there is a solution - don't hire tall people! :wink:
If you bring back the Ford F series or something similar, people would then complain about the size, turning circle etc. Like all things its a compromise, I have driven the Sprinter & didn't think it was that bad (except for all of the weird electrical tricks you guys have fitted).
And if you think that's bad try driving a Holden Rodeo Dual cab type over any distance or worse a Series 3 Landrover "Blood box" - I can tell you thats not pleasant!
At the end of the day these are commercial vehicles, just like the fire trucks etc - you are not going to get the ride & comfort that you would from the family sedan. And its personal preference as well, having driven the latest Commodore, Falcon & Mitsubishi 380 - I still prefer my VT!
So I guess there you have it, you can't please all of the people all of the time & some time in the future when the Sprinter (& their Ford cousins) are replaced people will complain about the new bus & look back with fond memories at the current fleet :wink: Thats just the way it is.
cheers
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...honestly..who puts a steering wheel in a car angled at just above flat, and a seat that's so high up off the floor - and then sells it to companies who expect their staff to drive for extended periods of time? ERGNONMICS MY AUNT FANNY!
... Mercedes?
Correct.
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the newest generation of Merc 315's are a big step forward - better steering position and much better suspension option. Now the only crap things left are the stupid big drawer in the side that weighs a tonne (currently being re-done...yet to be retrofitted) and the crappy little 4 cylinder motor......
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...and the crappy little 4 cylinder motor......
Just curious,
* how much does an SAAS Ambulance weigh without the patient ?
* is it a diesel 4 cylinder turbo motor ?
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It is a turbo 4!!! The local crew reckon it's gutless compared to the previous mercs. but they like the reversing camera
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It is a turbo 4!!! The local crew reckon it's gutless compared to the previous mercs. but they like the reversing camera
The reversing camera is great.
The 4 cylinder can't handle hills. The 5 cylinders were better. Both overheat when climbing hills in Summer.
The drawer is a nuisance.
The Mercedes are much better for attending patients than the Fords' more headroom, more space in the airway seat.
The Fords were overrated. The V8 sounded great but the vehicles were invariably tail-heavy and prone to understeer and body roll. Communication between front & back was difficult because of noise.
Naturally, all the above is IMNSFHO.