Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 On the other hand Phil... Outside of Texas, where EMS seems to be looked at more as a profession, most PROVIDERS to use badges. If this is nationally recognized as a sense of professionalism, why are none FD services against the perceived professionalism a badge brings? J-B Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 HA! EXACTLY! With due respect to you, , and be assured that I do respect you, that is the problem. We are NOT public safety. We are medical personnel. That's exactly why we are not viewed as professionals by either the medical establishment or the public safety establishment. Gene Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 15, 2002 Report Share Posted July 15, 2002 Physicians take an oath, and there may be other oaths taken by other medical personnel. Lawyers also take an oath to uphold the Constitution of the United States. gg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 Have you been targeted because of the wearing of an EMS badge? I would like to hear from people that have been targeted specifically because they wore a badge or uniform that resembled law enforcement. I am not saying that it cannot happen, but in my 15 years of EMS, I have not personally experienced it or seen it happen to a co-worker. As for the patch, I don't need a patch to tell the world what I can do either. But, I think a patch is good way to say who we are and the skill level that we can provide. I have always been proud to wear patches and badges, I have never felt that it was " unfortunate " . Whether it is pride in belonging to a particular organization or pride in being what I am, a Paramedic. I still cannot buy into the allegation that a uniform shirt with patches and a badge makes EMS a target from criminals. I have dealt with folks that have been violent towards everyone, it didn't matter who you were. Most of the time, however, I have found that folks of that bent were usually more tolerant of the EMS who were there to help. And I will continue to hold that even the criminal element who is against all authority can tell the difference between " the Law " and EMS, regardless of what they are wearing. Moseley LP Uniforms > > > Let's stop and think about just who we are for a moment. > > What other medical professionals wear a badge on their uniforms? Hmmm? > None that I know of. > > So, if we want to wear badges, what does that say about us? Does that tell > us anything about what we perceive our role to be? Why would a medical > professional need a badge? What image do we want to convey? One of > authority, or one of caregiver? > > In the new NSC curriculum there is a whole section on Therapeutic > Communications which is closely modeled on the nursing concept. How would > wearing a badge affect our perception by the patient? Does it enhance > patient trust? Does it improve the level of empathy we wish to achieve? Is > > gaining empathy with the patient a part of our job? > > Who are we? What should we be? Are we what we think we are? What do our > patients think we are? > > Gene G. > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 I worked with a crew once who went into the middle of a riot situation. They were surrounded by law enforcement who were also fighting off the restless natives, but the crew ended up taking of their black coats so their shirts, patches and nametags could be seen clearly - representing themselves as NOT law enforcement but medical personnel. Then the rioters left them alone. Jane Uniforms > > > > > > > > > Let's stop and think about just who we are for a moment. > > > > > > What other medical professionals wear a badge on their uniforms? Hmmm? > > > None that I know of. > > > > > > So, if we want to wear badges, what does that say about us? Does that > > tell > > > us anything about what we perceive our role to be? Why would a medical > > > professional need a badge? What image do we want to convey? One of > > > authority, or one of caregiver? > > > > > > In the new NSC curriculum there is a whole section on Therapeutic > > > Communications which is closely modeled on the nursing concept. How would > > > wearing a badge affect our perception by the patient? Does it enhance > > > patient trust? Does it improve the level of empathy we wish to achieve? > > Is > > > > > > gaining empathy with the patient a part of our job? > > > > > > Who are we? What should we be? Are we what we think we are? What do our > > > patients think we are? > > > > > > Gene G. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 I worked with a crew once who went into the middle of a riot situation. They were surrounded by law enforcement who were also fighting off the restless natives, but the crew ended up taking of their black coats so their shirts, patches and nametags could be seen clearly - representing themselves as NOT law enforcement but medical personnel. Then the rioters left them alone. Jane Uniforms > > > > > > > > > Let's stop and think about just who we are for a moment. > > > > > > What other medical professionals wear a badge on their uniforms? Hmmm? > > > None that I know of. > > > > > > So, if we want to wear badges, what does that say about us? Does that > > tell > > > us anything about what we perceive our role to be? Why would a medical > > > professional need a badge? What image do we want to convey? One of > > > authority, or one of caregiver? > > > > > > In the new NSC curriculum there is a whole section on Therapeutic > > > Communications which is closely modeled on the nursing concept. How would > > > wearing a badge affect our perception by the patient? Does it enhance > > > patient trust? Does it improve the level of empathy we wish to achieve? > > Is > > > > > > gaining empathy with the patient a part of our job? > > > > > > Who are we? What should we be? Are we what we think we are? What do our > > > patients think we are? > > > > > > Gene G. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 I have worn a variety of uniforms in 26 years on the streets. Everything including Jumpsuits, regular uniform shirts, polo shirts, and T-shirts. How you are perceived is based on your presentation. I have been outnumbered at a shooting scene 300 to 1, and by quickly getting in and out, along with letting the people know who I was, I had no problems. I was on one scene where I wore civilian clothes, and ended up looking at the business end of a 12 gauge shotgun. The wearing of polo-shirts is very popular. It can look very professional. Many departments here at UTMB are wearing polo shirts. Some in place of scrub tops. A. Ozenberger BS,LP,CHT Training Specialist III Education Laboratory UTMB - Galveston (409)747-2146 Re: Uniforms I worked with a crew once who went into the middle of a riot situation. They were surrounded by law enforcement who were also fighting off the restless natives, but the crew ended up taking of their black coats so their shirts, patches and nametags could be seen clearly - representing themselves as NOT law enforcement but medical personnel. Then the rioters left them alone. Jane Uniforms > > > > > > > > > Let's stop and think about just who we are for a moment. > > > > > > What other medical professionals wear a badge on their uniforms? Hmmm? > > > None that I know of. > > > > > > So, if we want to wear badges, what does that say about us? Does that > > tell > > > us anything about what we perceive our role to be? Why would a medical > > > professional need a badge? What image do we want to convey? One of > > > authority, or one of caregiver? > > > > > > In the new NSC curriculum there is a whole section on Therapeutic > > > Communications which is closely modeled on the nursing concept. How would > > > wearing a badge affect our perception by the patient? Does it enhance > > > patient trust? Does it improve the level of empathy we wish to achieve? > > Is > > > > > > gaining empathy with the patient a part of our job? > > > > > > Who are we? What should we be? Are we what we think we are? What do our > > > patients think we are? > > > > > > Gene G. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted July 16, 2002 Report Share Posted July 16, 2002 Only once in my 17 years as a medic was I mistaken (not necessarily targeted) for a Law Enforcement officer. While working as " Acting " supervisor on day I responded to a stabbing incident arriving before PD but after the first responding fire department unit. I exited a police-type vehicle with lights flashing and was wearing my Class A shirt with badge and patches. As I approach the scene I was urged by angry bystanders to arrest the attacker who was still on the scene and just in front of me. Not wanting to upset the crowd or put myself in harms way, I reached out and grabbed him from behind by the tank-top he was wearing and held him there at arms length while waiting for the police to arrive. While I was holding him, the victim's brother took advantage of the situation to come up and punch the assailant in the mouth causing him to go down at which point I let go of him and pinned the brother up against the fire truck until PD finally arrived to control the scene. On the brighter side, I have occasionally stumbled into a free meal or 50% off at some places because they thought I was a policeman. I didn't have the heart to correct them. I figured as long as they felt safe, well... Sabala, BS, LP Corpus Christi Fire Department Uniforms > > > > > > Let's stop and think about just who we are for a moment. > > > > What other medical professionals wear a badge on their uniforms? Hmmm? > > None that I know of. > > > > So, if we want to wear badges, what does that say about us? Does that > tell > > us anything about what we perceive our role to be? Why would a medical > > professional need a badge? What image do we want to convey? One of > > authority, or one of caregiver? > > > > In the new NSC curriculum there is a whole section on Therapeutic > > Communications which is closely modeled on the nursing concept. How would > > wearing a badge affect our perception by the patient? Does it enhance > > patient trust? Does it improve the level of empathy we wish to achieve? > Is > > > > gaining empathy with the patient a part of our job? > > > > Who are we? What should we be? Are we what we think we are? What do our > > patients think we are? > > > > Gene G. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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