Politics, Perception, Reality and EMSAT - Wes wades in

[Guest guest]

Ok, I've refrained from getting into the EMSAT mess since I'm not a medic, as

ONE certain list member has so inelegantly phrased things. However, the

discussion is moving in a direction in which my education and experience may be

able to elucidate you all. Besides being an attorney, during my undergrad days I

was heavily involved in politics and was even legislative staff for a short

while.

First of all, I'll give a big hats-off to the board at EMSAT. You are all

motivated for the right reasons and doing the best that you can with what

limited

resources you have. Gene, Ron, Donn, et al. have their heart in the right

place -- giving EMS a professional voice in Texas.

Let me give you all the first rule of politics. Things aren't what they

really are. They're what they are perceived to be.

I know that EMSAT is not a scam. I know that EMSAT is doing the best it can.

BUT....what does the public perceive it as? If Mike 's story is true,

EMSAT uses out-of-state telemarketers, sends information from a private mail

box,

and does not have a physical address. Sure sounds like a shady public safety

organization/scam to me. Is it? Absolutely not! See above -- things are what

they are perceived to be. Ergo, EMSAT will be perceived by those who don't

know EMSAT as a scam. Politicians of any sort (well, with a few exceptions) will

shy away from being associated with a sham public safety organization that's a

marketing ploy for telemarketers. Doesn't look good on the front page of the

East Bumrush County Weekly News and Advertiser.

As for fundraising, I don't have suggestions offhand. Never been in the

fundraising business before so I can't speak to that. I guess a lot of this

depends

on how much EMSAT needs to take in -- and how/what EMSAT spends money on.

There is a need for a state EMS organization. Is EMSAT that organization? I

don't know one way or the other. For an organization to be successful, it needs

to offer its members benefits. I know one of the big benefits of the various

police associations (TMPA, CLEAT, FOP) is that they offer legal protection to

their members. The IAFF helps with collective bargaining and provides union

representation for grievances. I know EMSAT has led the charge for Texas EMS

license plates and (I believe) helped with killing a bill allowing EMS providers

to draw blood for DWI cases. Those are a start. When EMSAT can show potential

members the benefits of joining -- the members will come. I don't know what

benefits to provide -- maybe sponsor CE? (Might be a good fundraiser too.)

Maybe set up a legal defense program? Maybe provide networking opportunities for

members?

I don't normally single out a person for criticism, but I believe Brett

Coghlan is wrong about Mike being an embarrassment to EMS in Texas. I know

that Brett has a lot at stake in EMSAT, so he's probably a bit passionate. But

let the record reflect (sorry, legal training kicking in) that Mike has

always been a consistent voice on this list for EMS professionalism. Mike is

skeptical of some of the EMS organizations, but that's not a crime. Further,

Mike's posts have been on a wide variety of topics. If he has a hidden agenda

against EMSAT, I'm unaware of it. As I see it, he's just calling it like he sees

it. Mike has also provided care to my family, and I KNOW that Mike is more than

capable of compassionate, professional medical care. That's what we all strive

for, right?

In closing, I believe that EMSAT is trying to do the right, but might not be

perceived as such. And recapping, in politics, perception IS reality.

Just my $0.03 (adjusted for inflation).

Wes Ogilvie, MPA, JD

[Guest guest]

,

I'm a little bit confused as to the point that you're expounding on.

Could you clarify and/or elaborate?

-Wes

[Guest guest]

,

No doubt, people are used to being spoon-fed. See some of Gene's old

posts about that tendency in his classroom teaching.

And you're talking about a basic tenet of American consumer philosophy

(free market economics, ya know?) - what does my dollar get me? People want

something to show for the money they spend, regardless of where they spend it.

The challenge EMSAT faces is to show the EMS consumer why EMSAT is a good

dollar and cent value. Show me what EMSAT has done, can do for me now, and

will do for me in the future. Show long and short term benefits -- and the

members will flock.

-Wes

[Guest guest]

Much of what has been said today may have some merit, but there are other

forces at work, and its the same problem that effects politics today. Too

many Americans today have that, whats in it for me, attitude and the get

something for nothing attitude. We as Americans have been taught to expcet

that the government will do every thing for us, so we do not try to help

ourselves. It is unfortunate that " The New Deal " , 's " Great

Society " , while meant got good may have done us all a dis-service. It has

lead us to the attidude that is aboundant in life today.

Re: Politics, Perception, Reality and EMSAT - Wes

wades in

> In a message dated 3/18/2004 1:41:39 PM Central Standard Time,

> ExLngHrn@... writes:

>

> And recapping, in politics, perception IS reality.

>

> The young Barrister makes some sense with that last line does he not?

>

> Louis N. Molino, Sr., CET

> FF/NREMT-B/FSI/EMSI

> LNMolino@...

> (Home Office)

>

> " A Texan with a Jersey Attitude "

>

> The comments contained in this E-mail are the opinions of the author and

the

> author alone. I in no way ever intend to speak for any person or

organization

> that I am in any way whatsoever involved or associated with unless I

> specifically state that I am doing so. Further this E-mail is intended

only for its

> stated recipient and may contain private and or confidential materials

> retransmission is strictly prohibited unless placed in the public domain

by the original

> author.

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Wes,

What I was trying to say in my iil-fated attempt is that the American

Public is used to having everything done for them. They take the atitude

that it's not my problem, so they do not get involved. Unfortunately that

attitude is previlant in EMS today. Because of many factors most are too

busy making a living to pay attention to what is happening around them,

after all what's one little voice going to do in the big picture. Our Job

is to get them to stop and take a look. The steamroller is headed their

way, and they may not be able to get out of the way soon enough. In other

words how do you combat appathy?

In my advanced years, my mind is not as agile as it once was. We NEED some

young bright minds to grab the reins an drive this team. It can be done, we

just need the will to do so.

Enough preaching for today.

Re: Politics, Perception, Reality and EMSAT - Wes

wades in

> ,

> I'm a little bit confused as to the point that you're expounding on.

> Could you clarify and/or elaborate?

>

> -Wes

>

>

>