SSM

[Guest guest]

Welcome back Gene.

SSM is used as a tool to optimize staffing and vehicle deployment as a means to

ensure the most efficient service possible. Unlike the fire service, most SSM

operated services attempt to deploy the fewest number of personnel and vehicles

as possible, while staying within the stipulated response time requirement(s).

Software is used to establish demand and location patterns, which theoretically

over time (sample size) increases the reliability of predicting same. That's my

rendition of the official version.

In human terms, I believe SSM has no basis to exist. Status plans can be

constructed so " tight " that an enormous burden is placed on the workforce. This

is best determined by the frequency of post moves because theoretically an

entire fleet could be re-posted to new locations for a single call. It's bad

enough to have to sit like a trollop at a 7-11 while sprouting hemorrhoids, and

it's another thing all together to be re-posted many times in a single shift.

The worst example that I can think of was 12 post moves in 8 hours without

running a single call (Portland, OR).

To my knowledge, no one has ever attempted to establish whether SSM has made a

difference in morbidity or mortality. It has never been " sold " as medical tool.

Neither has anyone ever investigated the toll it takes on the field personnel in

terms of worker fatigue, traffic risks, obesity, medication errors, psychiatric

disorders, domestic or marital issues, attrition, absenteeism, illness, etc. If

there was any evidence that SSM improved outcomes then everyone would do it, or

it would be required by statute or rule.

Like many things in EMS, SSM has become institutionalized. It has its own legion

of card carrying SSM planners and managers, training programs and certification

- which makes some people a lot of money. It has also turned many into SSM

handmaidens, who serve to perpetuate its myths of indispensability and " high

performance " .

The last thing that I want when I keel over is a crew that is worn out, hungry,

disillusioned and pissed off because they have been jerked through the SSM " key

hole " . I would prefer that they had to interrupt their nap, meal or TV program

when they come to my assistance, rather than from inhaling 12 hours worth of

diesel fumes and sitting on a doughnut, while eating micro waved burrito's and

drinking Mountain Dew.

Bob Kellow

wegandy1938@... wrote:

> First of all, I'm BACK! Thanks to Jay Hoskins who, guru that he is, was

> finally able to thwart the idiots at Yahoo and figure out how to get me back

> on the list after being unceremoniously kicked off never, I thought, to

> return. So abandon all hope, ye Yahoo Dwellers: The Gandy Factor Returns.

>

> Now, on the subject of unit deployment, otherwise known as posting. Can

> ANYBODY tell me of any scientific study done anywhere, anytime, by anybody,

> which shows any advantage to so-called system status management deployment

> over fixed base deployment? Other than the musings of Jack Stout and the

> Stoutians?

>

> If moving trucks about were the definitive answer, why wouldn't fire

> departments have their apparatus rove the streets, parking in cafeteria

> parking lots, 7-11 lots and street corners?

>

> If roving units were the answer, why is it that fire departments almost

> always beat the cops to a scene? Why is it that we arm fire engines with

> AEDs in order to rapidly defibrillate patients and that they can arrive in 3

> minutes when the system status managed trucks can barely meet their

> contracted time of 8:59 90% of the time?

>

> Why, oh why?

>

> Is there REALLY any substance to system status management?

>

> Gene Gandy

>

>