Guest guest Posted August 24, 1999 Report Share Posted August 24, 1999 and Ricky, Thank you for your well-conceived and professional posts on this devisive and polarizing issue. I have been in Fire Suppression/EMS for just shy of two decades, and an EMT-I for 12 of those years. I am currently in Paramedic class, and will apply for Licensure as soon as get the patch and I complete 22 more hours of college education (not "basket weaving", y'all). I have seen many changes, seen much heartbreak, and worked with MANY fantastic professional members of this field. I have also seen many medics I wouldn't trust treating my ex-wife. I have done my share of complaining,as well as my share of attempts to bring about change. I have been (and remain) underpaid and overworked (well, except yesterday <grin>). I have worked for municipal providers, private providers, volunteer providers, fire-service providers, ad nauseum. I have been wet, bloody, cramped, in pain, happy, sad, cried and cursed. I've made friends, and buried friends, including one that died saving my life. I've been cursed and praised by bosses and customers. I've done stupid things, and I've done things that people said were "heroic" (a term clouded by perception, I thought I was dumb myself, afterwards!). What this profession needs most of all, if for EVERY member to pull together and work for the common, mutual good of the ENTIRE profession, not just for what is good for "ME". Come on, Y'all: join a professional association, talk to your legislators, teach the community you serve how to best utilize us, teach CPR to young mothers and families, and teach and nurture the new guys (don't treat them like "mullets"). Finally, no matter how late at night the goofy unnecessary call comes in, no matter how badly the patient or family members are treating you, no matter if you missed lunch (or your nap), always, ALWAYS act as a "professional", exactly as it is described in the EMS textbooks we all learned from. The image you evoke is how we are perceived, if you act like a jerk, the powers that be and the general public will treat (and pay you) the same way. WE are our worst enemies. WE need to change that, and change it NOW. Brothers and Sisters, thank you all for allowing me to voice my thoughts. Stay Safe, Barry E. McClung, EMT-ICrew Chief, North Blanco County EMSInformation Systems DirectorDepartment Patch Trader & WebmasterDept. Email: nbcems@...Dept. Website: http://www.moment.net/~nbcems Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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